Yeah, Culinary Institute of America does provide scholarships based on merit. Here are some of them:

CIA Merit Scholarship
Requirement for maintenance: a 3.0 cumulative GPA
Separate application needed: No

Culinary Institute of America provides aids at an average of 18382 per student meeting 79% of students need. 100% of students with need receive financial aid at an average of 13950 need-based grant. They also provide other scholarships including CIA Alumni Referral Scholarship and Global Scholars Award.