Top Scholarships for the Ambitious Accounting Student

Are you majoring in Accounting? Smart move!

Unlike many Millennial job seekers who are crossing their fingers hoping to be noticed by their ideal employer, accounting graduates find themselves in high demand from employers. The best accounting students are often recruited early for internships, offered full-time job offers before their senior year of college, and are enticed with attractive signing bonuses.

According to a recent AICPA report, hiring at public accounting firms keeps increasing despite the employment woes that are faced in many other industries; increase in hiring jumped 7% to reach record levels in 2013–14. 91% percent of all firms said they expect to continue this upward trend of hiring top accounting talent in 2015.

The accounting job outlook over the next five years is expected to be favorable of aspiring accountants, and those with the CPA designation will have even more bargaining power in the industry.

So now all you have to do is graduate from college and open yourself up to a world of opportunities. It may not be an easy feat, especially if you lack the financial access to cover the rising cost of tuition. But don’t fret. There are tons of various financial support systems available for the ambitious student looking to become an accountant.

Need a scholarship checklist to keep you on track? Email me at charlene@charlenerhinehart.com to get a copy of the cheat sheet.

Check out these accounting scholarships that will put you on the road towards career success.

NABA National Scholarship Program

NABA offers an average of 50 national scholarships annually ranging from $1,000 – $5,000.

Eligibility:

Be African-American (Black) or of African descent.
Be an ACTIVE Student Member of NABA
Be currently enrolled at a four-year United States college or university as a full-time (12 semester hours or equivalent), undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior, or first-year senior accounting, finance, or business major or be a full-time graduate student (9 semester hours or equivalent) enrolled or accepted into a masters-level business program. Current high school students are not eligible.
Meet a minimum grade point average.

NABA Central Region Student Scholarship

Since inception, the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) has provided millions in scholarship funds to deserving students. Scholarship applications will be accepted from May 1st – August 22nd (postmark deadline). Go to website to see updates to annual deadline.

Applicants Must:

Be African American (Black) or of African descent.
Be an ACTIVE NABA member, whose membership dues have been received by NABA’s National Office no later than August 22nd, 2016. Dues are $35.00 for undergraduate or graduate students. Special Note: Regardless of the circumstances, once becoming a professional member, you are not permitted to return to student status. Graduate students must have entered graduate school immediately after receiving their undergraduate degree.
Be currently enrolled at a United States college or university as a full-time (12 semester hours or equivalent), undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior, or first-year senior accounting, finance, or business major or be a full-time graduate student (9 semester hours or equivalent) enrolled or accepted into a masters-level business program. Distribution of funds to high school awardees will occur upon documentation of student membership and entry into college or university.
Meet the minimum grade point average requirement in your major and overall as shown below. Please provide a conversion of your grades to the “4.0 grading scale” if your college or university does not use this scale. 5. Scholarships may have other specific criteria that are not identified on this application.

Click here to view other requirements.

National Society of Accountants Scholarship Foundation

With its scholarship awards, the Foundation assists dedicated students who are committed to a career in accounting by providing financial assistance to support their education. The next application window will be open between January 1- March 31, 2017.

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for this scholarship: To be eligible for this award, you must:

Be a United States or Canadian citizen.
Undergraduates enrolled part or full-time in accounting at an accredited (2) two-year or (4) four-year college or university in the United States.
Majoring in accounting and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
Students in an accredited (2) two-year college may apply following their first semester grades or during their second year if transferring to a (4) four-year institution, provided they are committed to a major in accounting throughout the remainder of their college career.

Students in an accredited (4) four-year college may apply for the scholarship for their (2) second, (3) third, or (4) fourth year of studies, provided they are committed to a major in accounting throughout the remainder of their college career.

What are the selection criteria?

An independent selection committee will evaluate the applications and select the recipients considering:

Academic achievements and records.
Leadership and community involvement
Honors and awards.
Work experience.
Statement of goals and aspirations.
Financial need (Arizona financial need scholarship only).

Click here to obtain more scholarship details.

AICPA John L. Carey Scholarship

If you’ve already earned a liberal arts degree or business degree but would like to go to graduate school for accounting or for a CPA license, this may be the scholarship for you. Every year, up to 10 scholarships for up to $5,000 each are awarded. Eligibility for the AICPA John L. Carey Scholarship is based on future career plans, leadership capabilities, and academic achievement.

ALPFA Scholarship Program

The ALPFA, or Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, awards this scholarship on an annual basis. It is available to students of Hispanic heritage who are pursuing careers in finance, accounting, and related fields. You must be enrolled as a full-time student in a degree-seeking program that is related to one of those fields. In addition to being a sophomore, junior or senior, you must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Executive Women International Scholarship Program

The Executive Women International Scholarship Program is available to high school seniors. There is a process involved in receiving a scholarship through this program, which awards more than $200,000 per year, but it is well worth it for those who may be eligible. Individual scholarships of up to $10,000 are awarded, and students must be nominated by their schools to compete. If you are selected to compete, you will do so on the chapter level. Upon passing through that level, you may compete on the corporate level. Things like extra-curricular activities, leadership abilities, academic achievement, and citizenship are all taken into consideration.

Illinois CPA Society Accounting Scholarship

Multiple scholarships of up to $4,000 each are available.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be a senior or graduate student for the 2016-17 academic year.

Illinois CPA Society Herman J. Neal Accounting Scholarship

Multiple scholarships of up to $4,000 each are available.

This scholarship was established in honor of the deceased Dr. Herman J. Neal, a distinguished Chicago physician, because of his strong beliefs in opening doors to opportunity, and in the value of education and scholarship for African-Americans.

You must have at least two years of post-secondary education completed and be attending a college or university in Illinois. A GPA of at least 3.0 is also required.

Ethnicity is African-American.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be a junior, senior or graduate student for the 2016-17 academic year.

Women’s Executive Committee Advancing Women in Accounting Scholarship

Multiple scholarships of up to $4,000 each are available.

This scholarship was established by the Illinois CPA Society Women’s Executive Committee to create advancement opportunities for women in the CPA profession in Illinois.

This scholarship program is supported by individuals, CPA firms, and companies who are committed to giving back to help ensure the success of other women.

A lead donor to this scholarship fund is Ernst & Young LLP.

Eligibility:

Gender is female.
Demonstrate leadership potential.

Senior or graduate student for the 2016-17 academic year.

Mary T. Washington Wylie Opportunity Fund Internship Preparation Program

Check back in the Fall to apply for the January 2017 program.

Eligibility:

Be a college student who is an underrepresented racial/ethnic minority in the accounting profession (e.g., African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, etc.)
Be enrolled in an Illinois college as a sophomore or junior or senior
Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident
Currently or intending to major in accounting and ultimately become a CPA
Completion of an introductory accounting course is preferred
Have a 3.0/4.0 GPA or equivalent
Not currently committed to a particular accounting firm for an internship.
Not already participated in the Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program
Submit application, transcript, and a recommendation letter from a current or past accounting professor, academic advisor, employer, mentor, volunteer manager, etc.

Available to attend the January 4-6, 2017 program in Chicago

CPA Exam Award Scholarship

Awards approximately $750 for reimbursement of NASBA fee.

Eligibility:

Not be reimbursed for CPA exam fees by an employer
Have pre-approved status by Illinois Board of Examiners and agree to take at least one part within nine months of the date on the application approval letter from the Board of Examiners. Applicants for this award must not have completed all four parts of the exam, but may apply if a portion of the exam completed.
Complete all four parts of the exam within 18 months of being approved to test by the Illinois Board of Examiners.
Maintain a current or final cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
S. citizen or permanent resident

Permanent resident of Illinois

Illinois CPA Society Accounting Textbook Scholarship

Multiple scholarships of $500 each are available.

This scholarship reimburses for the cost of books and required classroom materials. This scholarship does not cover the cost of tuition or CPA exam review courses.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be a junior, senior or graduate student for the 2016-17 academic year.

Frank L. Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship

Every year, one or more student in the United States is awarded this $5,000 scholarship. You may apply for it whether you are an undergrad or a graduate student. In either case, you must be attending school full- time, and you must be planning to go into a career in finance with the state or local government. In addition to that, you need a recommendation from the chair of your accounting program or from your academic advisor.

TACTYC/AICPA Scholarship

The TACTYC, or Teachers of Accounting at Two-Year Colleges, awards scholarships per year to students who are pursuing degrees in accounting. The seven scholarships are for $1,000 each. Five of them are awarded to two-year graduating college students who want to move on to pursue their bachelor’s degrees in accounting. Another two scholarships are awarded to students who are currently pursuing two-year accounting-based degrees. Eligibility is based on factors like recommendations, total credit hours and grade point averages, and you must be planning to pursue a career in accounting.

Surety Industry Scholarship Program for Minority Students

Students who are awarded this scholarship receive up to $2,500, which can go a really long way toward paying for a higher education. This scholarship has been available since 2003, and it is awarded by the Surety Foundation. In order to qualify for the Surety Industry Scholarship Program for Minority Students, you must be a minority student who has declared a major in insurance, risk management, accounting, business or finance. You must also have at least a 3.0 GPA and have completed at least 30 credit hours with at least six relating to your major.