The Hospitality Education Program (HEP) is an industry-financed, industry-supported education grants program. HEP’s sole purpose is administering the school-to-career grant program authorized under Section 509.302, Florida Statutes.

The HEP and grants are funded by a $10.00 stipend on each license. The grants are awarded to hospitality industry related statewide non-profit organizations for the benefit of students obtaining training in the hospitality industry.

School-to-career grants are awarded for a period of four years, with annual funding. The current grant cycle ends June 30, 2024.

The application cycle for the 2020-2024 grant cycle began on January 1, 2020, and ended on March 1, 2020. Pursuant to 61C-8 of the Florida Administrative code, applications shall be forwarded to potential applicants by 1/1/2020. Application packages have been forwarded to academic institutions of higher education which provide Hospitality Programs as part of their curriculum and trade associations.

Eligibility criteria and the application process is described in rule 61C-8, Florida Administrative Code. Applications and other forms are available on our website and upon request.

For more information on the HEP school-to-career grants, contact the Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395.

Need Help?

All requests for public records, complaints, forms, and applications for licenses can be obtained by contacting the Customer Contact Center.

Steven von Bodungen, Director

Division of Hotels and Restaurants
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011

Telephone: 850.487.1395
Email: dhr.info@myfloridalicense.com