CSW and CSS Scholarships
We’re thrilled to announce that SWE accepts scholarship applications twice a year for January and June, offering candidates two opportunities annually to pursue their professional certification goals. By offering scholarships biannually, we aim to accommodate diverse schedules and ensure that every deserving applicant has the opportunity to apply. SWE offers 30 scholarships a year. Mark your calendars and prepare your applications for our upcoming scholarship cycle.
SWE is making these awards available to those who feel they have been marginalized or thwarted in their pursuit of a “place at the table” in the wine and spirits industry. This may include BIPOC, women, LGBTIQA+, non-binary people, people with limited financial means, and/or people with disabilities. The award includes a one-year membership to SWE, an exam credit valid for one year for either the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) or Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) exam, and attendance in our instructor-led online prep class.
Program Eligibility Requirements
- You must be a resident of the United States, Canada or Mexico
- You have never earned a wine or spirits certification/certificate
- You must demonstrate financial need
We will be accepting scholarships for 2025, between December 1st and December 31st. To apply, please download the attached application and email your responses to Vanessa Brandenburg, General Manager, at vbrandenburg@societyofwineeducators.org.
WEC Scholarships
We will be accepting scholarship applications in 2025 for the new Wine Essentials Certificate (WEC), a course for anyone interested and new to wine. The scholarship includes access to the course site for one year and access to the final online exam.
Program Eligibility Requirements
- You must be a resident of the United States, Canada or Mexico
- You have never earned a wine or spirits certification/certificate
- You must demonstrate financial need
We will be accepting scholarships for 2025, between December 1st and December 31st. To apply, please download the attached application and email your responses to Vanessa Brandenburg, General Manager, at vbrandenburg@societyofwineeducators.org.
2024 SWE Scholarship Recipients:
Jamen Nanthakumar
Penelope Potts
Jami Obermayer
Robert Marline
Janice Iannucci
Travis “Sarah” Tyler
Caleb Joseph
Jarell Goodwin
SWE has made the following Donations and Contributions for 2024:
We have donated glassware to:
Afrobeat Rhythm and Wine Festival
The Rammy’s (award dinner by the RAMW (Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington)
