What is the one thing nearly every business and company around the world have in common? They all deal with money! As a result, they all need the expert services of professional accountants. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2029 there will be 1.5 million accountants and auditors working in the US.
Job prospects are strong, but those with the best academic credentials may have more opportunities. That’s why we’ve put together a list of accounting scholarships that can help cover the costs of tuition, so you can focus on your studies instead of your bills!
Scholarship Tips For College Students
Accountants are in such demand that several private organizations sponsor scholarships that help students get trained to enter the workforce. But that doesn’t mean they give free money to just anyone. So before we get to our list, let’s review some essential tips to give you an edge over the competition when applying for an accounting scholarship!
Start Early
Once you’ve chosen your major and school, it’s time to get cracking on those scholarship applications. There’s no reason to wait, and the earlier you start, the more opportunities you’ll discover! If you see a scholarship you’re interested in, but the application window has not yet opened, just make a note of it and come back later.
Save Time By Screening For Eligibility
The first thing you should do when reviewing scholarship listings is to determine your eligibility. There’s no reason to read through lengthy passages explaining the history and purpose of a scholarship if you don’t qualify to begin with. Feel free to skip ahead to the eligibility requirements.
Be Mindful Of Deadlines
After finding the eligibility details, the next bit of info to hunt for is the application deadline. It’s helpful to create a tracker listing all the scholarships you intend to apply for, then filtering the results by due dates. Stay organized so you won’t miss out on any opportunities.
Write A Persuasive Essay
Organizations that sponsor scholarships want to give their money to the best candidates. It’s your job to persuade them you are such a candidate! Meeting minimum eligibility requirements isn’t enough. Research their mission and values; figure out what might excite their application review board. Put yourself in their shoes and write an application that makes them say, “Wow!”
Edit, Edit, Edit!
Nobody wants to get an application riddled with errors and typos. Make sure to carefully proofread your materials before submitting them. If you have to input text into an online form, draft your text in a document first. Edit until it’s perfect, then cut and paste the info into the online form. Give it one more look to make sure you didn’t miss any words or letters.
Take Note Of How Scholarships Impact Other Financial Aid
Financial aid is designed to help students who need assistance to pay for college (which is the majority of students!). Be aware that any scholarships you win can impact your financial need calculations. We strongly recommend talking to your school’s financial aid office to discuss how funding sources might affect each other.
24 Scholarships for Accounting Students
AICPA Foundation Two-year Transfer Scholarship Award
Accounting students who plan to transfer from a two-year to a four-year institution may be eligible for AICPA’s Two-Year Transfer Scholarship. Worth $5,000+, this award requires students to possess a 3.0 GPA or higher and be AICPA Student Affiliate members. Funds are sent to the financial aid office of the awardee’s school. Submissions are due by March 1, 2022.
AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students
The AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students pays between $3,000 – $5,000 to ethnic minority undergraduate or graduate students studying accounting or a related subject. Applicants must have finished 30 semester hours, have a 3.0 GPA or better, and be enrolled full time. Submissions are due by March 1, 2022.
In partnership with the UNCF, AlixPartners provides up to $5,000 to college juniors majoring in accounting, business, finance, or other listed subjects. Applicants must be Black US citizens or permanent residents with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, attending a UNCF member institution. Applications are due July 26, 2022.
ASCPA Educational Foundation Scholarship
The ASCPA Educational Foundation Scholarship gives out $2,500+ to accounting students in Alabama. Applicants must be members or obtain membership at the time of applying for the scholarship. They must also have a “B” average on any completed Accounting classes and have at least a year remaining in college. Applications are due March 19, 2022.
The AWSCPA Scholarship Award, part of AICPA’s Legacy Scholars program, provides $5,000+ non-renewable scholarships to “outstanding women undergraduate or graduate students majoring in accounting or an accounting-related field” who have finished 30 semester hours and intend to pursue licensure. Applications are due by March 1, 2022.
The Institute of Management Accountants offers a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) scholarship that allows students to take the CMA program for free. Applicants should be high-achieving students at an accredited college and must be nominated by a professor. The window to apply runs from September 1 – June 30.
Crush The CPA Exam Scholarship
Crush The CPA Exam is a website offering CPA students an online study course, as well as a scholarship! An applicant must be an “actively enrolled college student in the last semester of obtaining your accounting degree or a recent graduate with a final cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher who plans on taking the CPA Exam.” Award amounts and submission due dates may vary, so it’s best to check the site for updates.
Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting
The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting gives scholarships to undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate female students majoring in accounting. Each scholarship opportunity has a unique set of eligibility criteria and differing application due dates, so please check their website for full details and current deadlines.
Excellence in Accounting Scholarship
The South Dakota CPA Society sponsors generous $10,000 accounting scholarships for students who’ve completed 90 credit hours by April 1st. The primary scholarship programs are Accounting Excellence, focused on students engaged in activities and displaying leadership; and Accounting Opportunity, aimed at students with financial needs who’ve shown academic achievement. Applications are due April 30, 2022.
Finance and Accounting Undergraduate Scholarship
The American Society of Women Accountants sponsors an Undergraduate Scholarship that awards various amounts to “support the costs of attending 3rd, 4th, or 5th year when pursuing an accounting or finance degree.” Applications are due April 1, 2022, and should include transcripts, a financial need analysis, a personal essay, resume, and endorsement form.
Greater Washington Society of CPAs Scholarship
The Greater Washington Society of CPAs offers awards of $3,000 – $5,000 to students attending accredited accounting programs at schools near the White House. Applicants must be rising seniors for undergrad awards or starting their graduate program if applying for a graduate award. The deadline to apply is April 2, 2022.
Gregory T. O’Gorman, CPA, Memorial Scholarship
Sponsored by the Educational Foundation of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Gregory T. O’Gorman, CPA, Memorial Scholarship gives $5,000+ to students who have a financial need and demonstrated academic excellence. Applicants must also intend to work as a CPA within Massachusetts. Submissions are due February 16, 2022.
High School Student Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship
Also managed by the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, the High School Student Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship offers $1,000 to students from underrepresented races who graduated from an MSCPA summer CA.M.P./ACAP program. Rising freshman applicants must submit a letter of recommendation. Applications are due by March 12, 2022.
International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association Scholarship Program
The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s scholarship aids students in many academic majors, including Accounting. Award winners are chosen based on academics, school and community leadership, honors, work experience, and other factors. Scholarship amounts are $5,000+; submissions are due by April 19, 2022, and must include a personal statement, resume, transcripts, and two online recommendations.
MACPA Educational Foundation Scholarship Award
The Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants Educational Foundation offers scholarship awards in varying amounts to students majoring in accounting at a Maryland college or university. Applicants must show financial need plus prove their commitment to becoming a CPA by joining MACPA. The submission due date is April 15, 2022.
National Society of Accountants Scholarship
In the past, the National Society of Accountants has offered scholarship opportunities to students majoring in accounting or related fields. Currently, the scholarship page of their website is down, but please check in from time to time. Past award amounts have ranged from $500 to $2,200, with April 1st deadlines to apply.
Ronald and Karel Bennett Scholarship
Oregon’s Office of Student Access and Completion manages several financial aid programs, including the Ronald and Karel Bennett Scholarship. This award is for Jackson County high schools grads in financial need who will attend a public and nonprofit college. Applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA and major in accounting or other listed fields. Award amounts vary; applications are due March 1, 2022.
The United Daughters of the Confederacy sponsors the Ruth S. Widener scholarship for students attending Washington and Lee University. Applicants must major in one of the listed subjects, which includes accounting. Award amounts vary; submissions are due by April 15, 2022, and should include transcripts and a letter of endorsement from the sponsoring UDC Chapter.
SCACPA Educational Fund Scholarships
The South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants gifts scholarship awards of up to $2,500 to South Carolina rising juniors and seniors majoring in accounting. To qualify, students must have an overall GPA of 3.25 or more, plus have finished one intermediate accounting course. Applications are due by May 31, 2022.
Society of Louisiana CPAs Scholarships
The Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants gives out $500 – $2,500 scholarships to current student members who have a 3.0 GPA or higher on their accounting courses. Applications should include transcripts, an essay, and letters of recommendation. SLCPA’s site encourages students to check-in September 2021 for updated information.
UNCF Medline Corporate Scholars
The UNCF Medline Corporate Scholars Program offers financial aid to full-time juniors majoring in accounting, business, finance, or other listed fields. Applicants should submit a resume and explain how their “college experience demonstrates leadership and analytical ability during their college career.” Award amounts vary; applications are due by March 25, 2022.
VSCPA Educational Foundation Accounting Scholarships
The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants Educational Foundation awards tens of thousands of dollars each year to Accounting students in the state. Interested students can simply turn in one application to be considered for all the awards they’re eligible for. Scholarships range from $1,500 – $3,000, and submissions are due April 1, 2022.
The Tau Kappa Epsilon Education Foundation offers several scholarships, including the W. Allan Herzog Scholarship for TKE’s Nu Chapter undergraduate members. Applicants must have at least a 2.75 GPA, be enrolled as a full-time accounting, finance, or economics student, and have a year or more of school left. Submissions are due by March 15, 2022.
Washington CPA Foundation Scholarships
The Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants offers $5,000 – $8,000 scholarships to students transferring from community college to accredited Washington State universities. Applicants must submit two 500-word essays plus cite their involvement in extracurricular activities. Submissions are due by February 16, 2022.
Find More College Scholarships
If the above 24 accounting scholarships got you revved up, guess what? We’ve got more where those came from! The simplest way to find and sort accounting scholarships is with our new scholarship search filter.
Select filters such as keywords, deadlines, area of study, and more to quickly pull up thousands of dollars in private scholarship opportunities, all through one portal! You can even sort by award size so that you’re able to view the most lucrative scholarships first.
Data Source: Peterson’s Databases copyright 2021 Peterson’s LLC All rights reserved
Matt is a retired Air Force veteran and former courtesy faculty at Oregon State University's AFROTC department.
As a freelance copywriter and content creator, he's written for over 250+ companies around the world. Matt specializes in career and higher education topics, with the aim of helping students find the best college programs for their career goals.