25 Great Scholarships for Accounting, Economics and Finance Majors

Thanks to modern technology, millions of dollars frequently change hands faster than the speed of light with the mere touch of a button or quick click of a mouse. This novel capability combined with the universal essentiality of capital guarantees security for any industry involved in its transfer or distribution.

Nevertheless, cash is also the main obstacle to that same occupational success for prospective money changers of modest means. Fortunately, those in this paradoxical predicament are sure to find an effective solution in the following list of scholarships for accounting, economics, and finance majors.

1. AICPA Fellowships for Minority Doctoral Students

DEADLINE: April 1

The American Institute of Certified Professional Accountants (“AICPA”) sponsors this program to increase minority representation among CPAs as a means of providing mentors and positive role models for promising scholars of similar persuasions. AICPA advances that agenda via this program that awards annual fellowships of $12,000 to minority accounting students with high potential as accounting educators.

Applicants must:

• Have applied to and be awaiting an acceptance decision; been accepted; or, currently enrolled in a doctoral accounting degree program
• Have a master’s degree and minimum three-year experience in accounting
• Pursue doctoral studies full-time
• Be African American, Hispanic, Native American, or Latino
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
• Currently have or plan to pursue CPA credentials

Contact

AICPA Fellowships for Minority Doctoral Students
AICPA Foundation
P.O. Box 52443
Durham, NC 27717
Phone: (919) 402-4534
E-mail: Foundation@aicpa.org

2. Alex Postlethwaite Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 16

Established in 1987 to facilitate accounting education throughout Louisiana, this memorial scholarship is one of several the Louisiana CPA Education Foundation (“LCPAEF”) sponsors. The number and amount of awards vary annually and basic eligibility criteria include:

• Louisiana domicile as defined at http://www.osfa.la.gov
• Enrollment as an accounting major in a four-year Louisiana institution on date of application
• Completion of at least four semesters or an equivalent academic tenure by the fall session in year of application
* Sponsorship by at least two accounting faculty members
* A minimum 2.50 grade point average (“GPA”)

Doctoral students are strongly encouraged to apply, as one annual award is reserved for a deserving Ph.D. candidate.

Contact

Alex Postlethwaite Scholarship
LCPA Education Foundation
2400 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 500
Kenner, LA 70062
Phone: (800) 288-5272

3. National Association of Black Accountants, Inc., (“NABA”) Scholarships

DEADLINE: Varies, contact sponsor

During its history of over four decades, the NABA has provided over $8 million to help aspiring financial professionals of color overcome economic barriers to higher education via this trio of funds:

– NABA National Scholarship: Makes annual awards of $1,500

– Corporate Partner Scholarships: Makes annual awards ranging from $1000 to $10,000

– NABA Member Scholarship Awards: Makes annual awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000

Applicants must be/have:

• Of African-American or African descent
• Currently enrolled full-time in a U.S. undergraduate or graduate accounting program
• Meet fund-specific minimum GPA requirements

Contact

National Association of Black Accountants, Inc., (“NABA”) Scholarships
7474 Greenway Center Drive, Suite 1120
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: (301) 474-NABA

4. ALPFA Scholarship Program

DEADLINE: Varies, contact sponsor

As the largest association of Latino students and business professionals, ALPFA sponsors an assortment of scholarships designed to advance its primary mission to enhance career and leadership development among Latinos. During just the last 12 months prior to this writing, ALPFA boasts an aggregate award volume of more $750,000 via the following scholarship programs:

• American Public University/ALPFA Scholarships

• University of Phoenix/ALPFA Professional Leadership Scholarships

• ALPFA/Bentley University Scholarship Programs:

o Emerging Leaders
o Evening Program

• HSF/ALPFA Scholarships (Sponsored in conjunction with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund)

Award decisions are primarily based on academic performance and financial need. All joint scholarships with above-named institutions are available to eligible candidates at any accredited U.S. postsecondary school.

Contact

ALPFA Scholarship Program
ALPFA National Headquarters
801 South Grand Avenue, Suite 650
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 243-0004
E-mail: janis.bentley@national.alpfa.org

5. Arthur Magill Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Economics

DEADLINE: Contact sponsor

This memorial scholarship makes one nonrenewable annual award to an outstanding Clemson University senior economics major. Award amount varies; no separate application is required, as eligible students receive automatic consideration by the Clemson University Financial Aid Office.

Contact

Arthur Magill Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Economics
Clemson University Financial Aid Office
G-01 Sikes Hall, Box 345123
Clemson, SC 29634
Phone: (864) 656-2280
E-mail: finaid@clemson.ed

6. Becker CPA Review Course Award

DEADLINE: N/A

Since 1923, the Elijah Watt Sells Award program has been recognizing outstanding CPA exam performance. To qualify for this prestigious AICPA-sponsored honor, examinees must score higher than 95.50% on all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination. Since 2005, Becker CPA Review Course enrollees have consistently claimed the bulk of Elijah Watt Sells Awards. Indeed, 37 of 39 award recipients for 2012 were Becker Review Course graduates.

Contact

Becker CPA Review Course Award
Becker Professional Education
CPA Customer Service
3005 Highland Pkwy
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: (800) 868-3900 or (630) 472-2213

7. Carl W. Christiansen Scholarship

DEADLINE: January

The Rhode Island Foundation (“RIF”) administers this scholarship on behalf of sponsor Rhode Island Society of CPAs (“RISCPA”) that makes renewable annual awards to outstanding Rhode Island accounting majors. Although number and amount of awards vary annually, 2013 chosen recipients grossed $10,000 in financial assistance.

Applicants must be:

• A Rhode Island resident
• Majoring in accounting or a related discipline

A free downloadable “Scholarship Quiz” to determine eligibility for this and 150 other RIF scholarships is available at http://www.rifoundation.org/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Scholarships/2013/RIF%20Scholarship%20Quiz.xlsx.

Contact

Carl W. Christiansen Scholarship
Denise Jacobson
E-mail: djacobson@riscpa.org
For application eligibility, contact:
Libby Monahan
RIF Funds Administrator
Phone: (401) 427-4017
E-mail: lmonahan@rifoundation.org

8. Equilar Scholars Program

DEADLINE: Contact sponsor

Internationally-renowned information services firm Equilar, Inc., sponsors this scholarship that makes two renewable annual awards of $1,000 to full-time students at University of California’s Davis and Berkeley campuses (“UCD/B”).

Applicants must:

• Be entering freshmen or current full-time UCD/B undergrads
• Majoring in business, mathematics, economics, finance, statistics, or a related discipline
• Have a minimum 3.5 GPA if an incoming freshman, or 3.0 if a sophomore, junior, or senior
• Demonstrate financial need, by virtue of ≤$70,000 gross annual household income
• Reside in either Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo or Santa Clara County

Contact

Equilar Scholars Program
Equilar, Inc.
1100 Marshall Street
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 241-6600

Eligible candidates should also inquire at UCD/B Financial Aid Offices

9. Financial Women’s Association of San Francisco (“FWA-SF”) – Women Studying in the Field of Finance Scholarship

DEADLINE: March

Sponsored by FWA-SF, this fund has provided over $1,600,000 to help more than 200 local ladies pursue financial services degrees. Undergraduate recipients get $5,000 and graduate recipients get $10,000.

Basic eligibility criteria include:

• Junior or senior undergraduate in Fall semester of award year
• Entering or continuing graduate in upcoming Summer or subsequent semester
• Enrolled during upcoming Summer or subsequent semester at the physical campus of an accredited Bay Area postsecondary school
• Pursuing a degree in finance or a financial services discipline
• A minimum 3.4 GPA

Selections are most heavily influenced by demonstrated leadership skills and involvement in activities that advance FWA-SF goals.

Contact

Financial Women’s Association of San Francisco – Women Studying in the Field of Finance Scholarship
FWA
P.O. Box 26143
San Francisco, CA 94126
Phone: (415) 586‐8599
Email: info@fwasf.org

10. Fischer Family Fund

This fund exists to assist apt scholars from underrepresented groups attain a college education with renewable annual awards of $1,000 via this pair of programs:

Ollie Fisher Scholarship

Applicants must:

• Be African-American
• Be graduating seniors from Sumner High School in St. Louis, MO
• Planning to attend any accredited college or university
• Demonstrate financial need
• Have a minimum 2.5 GPA

DEADLINE: March 31

Awards are paid directly to chosen recipients and are renewable for up to four (4) academic years, provided the recipient maintains a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Janet F. Wallace Community Service Scholarship

Applicants must:

• Be African-American
• Be a graduation senior from a St. Louis high school
• Have a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Exhibit exceptional community service involvement

DEADLINE: January 5

Contact

Fischer Family Fund

– Ollie Fisher Scholarship

Download application and obtain further details at http://www.fisherfamilyscholarshipfund.org/uploads/6/1/0/8/6108840/fisher_family_scholarship_20111.docx.

– Janet F. Wallace Community Service Scholarship

Judy Fugerson Shaw
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Alpha Zeta Chapter
4526 Eagle Estates Drive
St. Louis, MO 63034

11. Herb Adrian Memorial Scholarship Fund

DEADLINE: March 25

Since its 1958 establishment, Foundation for the Carolinas (“FFC”) has strived to catalyze positive charity via vehicles such as this scholarship program that makes annual awards to undergraduate students at Virginia Tech Residential Property Management School (“VA Tech”).

Applicants must:

• Be an outstanding junior or senior at VA Tech
• Demonstrate interest in multi-family housing management, finance, and/or construction
• Demonstrate financial need

Contact

Herb Adrian Memorial Scholarship Fund
Elizabeth Long
Virginia Tech
240 Wallace Hall
295 W. Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone: (540) 231-4784

12. Illinois CPA Society Accounting Scholarship Program

DEADLINE: April 1

The Illinois CPA Society sponsors this scholarship that awards up to $2,000 to accounting majors with high CPA potential.

Threshold eligibility criteria:

• Non-CPA
• Undergraduate senior or graduate student at an Illinois postsecondary school during award year
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• Permanent Illinois residency
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Plan to attempt the Illinois CPA Examination within three (3) years of application date
• Outstanding scholarship in accounting studies
• Non-recipient of full-tuition reimbursement or waiver

Contact

Illinois CPA Society Accounting Scholarship Program
Illinois CPA Society
550 W. Jackson, Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: (312) 993-0407

13. Indiana Mortgage Bankers Association (“IMBA”) Scholarship

DEADLINE: Contact administrator

The Central Indiana Community Foundation (“CICF”) administers this IMBA-sponsored scholarship fund to assist Indiana students majoring in disciplines related to business, real estate, or finance.

Applicants must:

• Reside in either Bloomington, Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis, Merrillville, or South Bend
• Be graduating from a high school in the above-listed areas
• Plan to attend an Indiana college or university
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Intend to pursue a degree in finance, real estate, or business

Selections decisions are highly influenced by community service and academic performance.

Contact

Indiana Mortgage Bankers Association Scholarship
Central Indiana Community Foundation
615 N Alabama St., #119
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 634-2423

14. John L. Carey Scholarships

DEADLINE: April 1

Funded by AICPA, this memorial scholarship makes up to 10 annual non-renewable awards of $5,000 that help students obtain graduate accounting degrees and CPA licensure.

Eligible applicants must be/have:

• A liberal arts or other non-business undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution
• Earned fewer than 12 accounting or business credits during undergraduate studies
• Non-CPAs planning to obtain a CPA credential
• Planning to pursue an accounting-related graduate degree that satisfies academic requirements for CPA licensure
• Applied to or accepted by a four-year institution accredited by AACSB and/or ACBSP in the U.S. or its territories
• Not enrolled in a graduate accounting program
• Enrolled full-time in an eligible graduate degree program during award year
• A current or application-pending AICPA Student Affiliate
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• Demonstrate financial need

Contact

John L. Carey Scholarships
E-mail: scholarships@aicpa.org
http://www.aicpa.org/interestareas/accountingeducation/resources/scholarships/pages/john%20l.%20carey%20scholarship%20program.aspx.

15. Laurels Fund Scholarships

DEADLINE: May 15

The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (“EFWA”) established this fund in 1978 to assist female students obtain doctoral degrees in accounting. Awards of up to $5,000 are available to outstanding Ph.D. candidates of the gentler gender who have completed all comprehensive exams before the Fall semester prior to academic award year.

Applicants must:

• Demonstrate exemplary scholarship in research activities and coursework
• Have extensive public service involvement, including significant efforts and/or long-term commitments in volunteerism
• Demonstrate financial need
• Provide at least one recommendation letter that addresses academic performance and teaching potential
• Provide at least one recommendation letter that addresses personal character

Contact

Laurels Fund Scholarships
Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting
136 South Keowee Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
Phone: (937) 424-3391
E-mail: info@efwa.org

16. Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship

DEADLINE: February

Sponsored by the U.S. Government Finance Officers Association (“GFOA”), this scholarship awards $5,000 to an upper-level undergraduate or graduate minority student majoring in business or public administration, governmental accounting, finance, political science, or economics.

Applicants must be/have:

• An African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Hispanic, Latino, or Other Pacific Islander as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau
• A current full or part-time upper-level undergraduate or graduate student in an eligible major
• Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada
• Recommended by an undergraduate academic advisor or department chair or graduate degree program dean
• Not previously received any GFOA-administered scholarship awards

Contact

Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship
Scholarship Committee
Government Finance Officers Association
203 North LaSalle Street
Suite 2700
Chicago, IL 60601-1210
Phone: (312) 977-9700

17. National Urban League (“NUL”) – Duracell Scholarship

DEADLINE: April 15

NUL administers this Duracell-sponsored scholarship that makes renewable annual awards of $5,000 to $10,000 to minority undergraduate juniors majoring in Sales Marketing, Manufacturing Operations, Finance, Business Administration, or Engineering.

Applicants must:

• Rank within the uppermost 25% of college class
• Demonstrate strong interest in summer employment at Duracell, Inc. between their junior and senior year
• Be of minority ethnic and/or racial origin

Contact

National Urban League-Duracell Scholarship
National Urban League
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
Phone: (212) 558-5300

18. NSA Scholarship Foundation Awards

DEADLINE: Contact sponsor

OPEN DATE: January 1

The National Society of Accountants (“NSA”) sponsors this scholarship that makes annual awards in varying amounts to assist students who are strongly dedicated to an accounting career.

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate accounting program at a two or four-year educational institution
• Demonstrate financial need
• Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement
• Exhibit high leadership potential

Contact

NSA Scholarship Foundation Awards
NSA Scholarship Foundation
1010 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (800) 966-6679
E-mail: jgoldberg@nsacct.org

19. Oregon State Fiscal Association (“OSFA”) Scholarship

DEADLINE: March 1

The Oregon Student Assistance Commission (“OSAC”) administers this OSFA-sponsored scholarship that assists OSFA members and their children who are pursuing finance-related college degrees.

Applicants must be/have:

• OSFA members or biological or legal offspring of OSFA member(s)
• High school seniors or full-time undergraduate or graduate students in any accredited degree program, if the child of an OSFA member
• A full or part-time undergraduate or graduate student majoring in finance, economics, public administration, or related disciplines at an accredited institution, if an OSFA member
• Attendance at a federal financial aid Title IV-eligible Oregon postsecondary school
• Financial need

An application and additional details are available via the “How I apply for OSAC scholarships?” link at http://www.osac.state.or.us/wiseguy_faq.html#scholar3.

Contact

Oregon State Fiscal Association Scholarship
Oregon Student Access Commission
1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 100
Eugene, OR 97401
Phone: (541) 687-7395
E-mail: awardinfo@osac.state.or.us

20. Pennsylvania Society of Public Accountants (“PSPA”) Scholarships

DEADLINE: June 1

PSPA sponsors this memorial scholarship that makes one non-renewable award of $2,000 and two additional awards of $1,000 annually to deserving Pennsylvania accounting majors.

Applicants must:

• Be full-time undergraduate students at a Pennsylvania post-secondary institution
• Have completed 60 or more credit hours toward an accounting degree
• Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

Additional factors considered in selections decisions are leadership ability, financial need, and extra-curricular activities. Awards are jointly payable to recipients and their institutions.

Contact

Pennsylvania Society of Public Accountants Scholarships
PSPA Executive Office
20 Erford Road, Ste. 200A
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Phone: (800) 270-3352

21. Stanley H. Stearman Award

DEADLINE: March 10

NSA sponsors this scholarship that makes average annual awards of $2,000 to assist its members’ relatives pursue accounting degrees.

Basic eligibility criteria:

• Child, grandchild, niece, nephew, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law of an active, retired, or deceased NSA member.
• U.S. or Canadian citizenship
• Sophomore through Ph.D. accounting major at an accredited U.S. institution
• A minimum GPA of “B”

Contact

Stanley H. Stearman Award
NSA Scholarship Foundation
Susan E. Noell, Director
1010 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1574
Phone: (703) 549-6400

22. TACTYC/AICPA Scholarship

DEADLINE: Contact sponsor

AICPA and Teachers of Accounting at Two Year Colleges (“TACTYC”) jointly sponsor this scholarship that makes seven annual awards of $1,000 to accounting majors at two and four-year institutions. Award decisions are primarily based on GPA, amount of completed coursework, recommendation letters, and demonstrated commitment to an accounting career.

Contact

TACTYC/AICPA Scholarship
Connie Belden, Scholarship Committee Chair
5401 West 20th Street
Greeley, CO 80632
E-mail: scholarship@tactyc.org or cbelden@butlercc.edu

23. Texas Fifth Year Accounting Student Scholarship Program

DEADLINE: Varies by institution

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (“THECB”) administers this state-sponsored program that makes annual awards of up to $5,000 to future Texas CPAs.
Basic eligibility requirements:

• Texas residency
• At least half-time attendance at a participating two or four-year postsecondary school in Texas
• Completion of 120 or more clock hours of coursework, including 15 or more semester credits of accounting classes during award year
• In good academic standing with satisfactory progress
• No prior CPA exam attempt(s)
• CPA exam application pending with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy
• Financial need
• Prior Selective Service registration or exemption

Eligible candidates must obtain an application form from their Accounting Department Dean or school’s Financial Aid Office.

Contact

http://www.hhloans.com/apps/financialaid/tofa2.cfm?ID=402.

24. TKE Educational Foundation W. Allan Herzog Scholarship

DEADLINE: March 15

This memorial scholarship makes annual awards of $3,000 to active Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity (“TKE”) members pursuing a four-year degree in finance-related disciplines.

Applicants must be/have:

• Full-time undergraduates majoring in economics, finance, or accounting
• Active membership in TKE Nu Chapter at University of California in Berkeley
• A minimum 2.75 GPA
• Have at least on full academic year of undergraduate studies remaining until degree conferral

Contact

TKE Educational Foundation W. Allan Herzog Scholarship
Tau Kappa Epsilon Grand Office
7439 Woodland Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46278
Phone: (317) 872-6533
Email: tkeogc@tke.org

25. Women in Transition Scholarship

DEADLINE: Contact sponsor

The EFWA sponsors this scholarship that makes an annual renewable award to a female undergraduate student who is pursuing an accounting degree while supporting a family. Award amount is $16,000 divided equally among four academic years.

Applicants must:

• Be female
• Be their family’s primary source of support
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA for initial consideration and renewal of award

Contact

Women in Transition Scholarship
Foundation Administrator
EFWA National Headquarters
136 South Keowee St.
Dayton, OH 45402
Phone: (937) 424-3391
Email: info@efwa.org

Would-be financiers with low finances should find the foregoing information a major inspiration to maintain high determination to fund a higher education. By persistently pressing forward, keeping the faith, and never giving up the fight, future money changers can change their destinies for the better.