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Completing your accounting degree can lead to a successful career
in finance, accounting, or even business management, but many
students find it difficult to obtain the necessary funding to reach
their goals. If you are looking for a way to save on educational
costs, pursuing accountings scholarships or grants can
offer some valuable opportunities. An accounting scholarship can
help you manage your finances throughout your educational career,
and usually requires a simple application process. Applying for
financial aid is another option, but it can be considered a last
resort with the multitude of scholarships readily
available.
Finding Accounting Scholarships for Your Education
No matter what level of study or background you have in your
education, there are a number of accounting scholarships
available to supplement your financial situation. You may benefit
from not having to pay for your tuition and related expenses when a
scholarship or grant can cover your basic
needs. Securing financing through scholarships is a
valuable way to complete your education.
Applying for accountings scholarships will require some diligent
research and hard work, but your efforts will pay off. Paying for
accounting school may not be easy, but there are many ways to
receive scholarships or grants based on merit,
financial situation, or submitting an essay. Minority groups and
women can also look for specialized accounting scholarships, and
multiple scholarships are available for prospective finance officers
in the government sector.
Applications for accounting scholarships and grants can
be found through business school departments, liberal arts studies
programs, and also online. You will need to find out which
scholarships and grants apply to your
financial situation, and need to apply as early as possible. Some
scholarships and grants require specific
essays or projects for review; others may require a preliminary
examination or test. Being well prepared with references and
necessary material will help you succeed in securing the financing
you need.
Completing the Accounting Scholarship Application Process
The first step in pursuing a scholarship is to review
all applicable scholarships and plot out all the due dates and
timelines. Some scholarships and grants require
applicants to submit initial materials as far as 8-12 months in
advance; others have requirements per semester or term. Making sure
you have prioritized all deadlines is an important step.
Next, you will need to submit your application to each
scholarship. Read all requirements and make sure you are eligible;
many scholarships and grants have very
restrictive requirements, and you cannot waste time by applying for
scholarships that you do not qualify for. Make sure you have
included all reference letters and submitted any projects or
samples.
After submitting your accounting scholarship application, it's a
good idea to follow up with the department to make sure they have
received all necessary materials. If a formal interview is required,
make sure that you take along references and letters of
recommendation. In some cases, this may also be a part of the
scholarship or grant application process.
Accounting Grants and Other Financing Options
Accounting grants are primarily aimed for students interested in
graduate studies and research in the financial field. Accounting
grants are an alternative to scholarships and financial
aid, and many are offered through national organizations and
nonprofit development agencies in the finance and economics sector.
Accounting firms may also sponsor grants as part of their
work-study programs, or offer specialized grants and awards for
employees. If you are completing an internship or fellowship with an
accounting firm, inquiring about grants or even tuition
reimbursement can be a valuable opportunity to complete your
educational career.
Pursuing financial aid is another option if you do not qualify for
accounting scholarships or grants. Contacting the
business school's financial aid office in advance is a valuable way
to complete the paperwork and necessary application materials before
the due date.
Types of Accounting Scholarships and Grants Available
The best way to secure financing for your accounting degree or
furthering education is to apply for multiple
scholarships and grants. An accounting scholarship can
range in value from $1,000-$5,000+, and the average cost for four
years is about $20,000. Scholarships may be available
through both private and public funding resources, and many can be
applied for online. The following resources offer some key
scholarships and grants for eligible students:
Accountemps Student Scholarship:
this is offered to students pursuing both undergraduate and graduate
studies through the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants. Scholarship amounts can be as much as $2,500.
Daniel Kovach Foundation Business Scholarship offers a range of accounting scholarships for minorities and female
students
Government Finance Officers Association Scholarships:
these are available for accounting and finance students at varying
levels of study; some scholarships can be as high as $10,000
National Society of Accountants: this organization offers
a variety of scholarships and grants to minorities,
accounting professionals, and women interested in furthering their
career
American Society of Women Accountants: this
national organization provides support, networking opportunities,
and accounting scholarships for eligible students year round. The
organization is committed to promoting opportunities for women in
the field of finance.
National Conference of CPA Practitioners:
This organization offers a variety of scholarships for students
interested in becoming a Certified Public Accountant. Scholarships
range from $500+ per term.
Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting:
awarded to Latino students who are pursuing a continued education in
accounting or finance-related fields
Sallie Mae: this organization provides secondary
market loans as an additional accounting degree funding opportunity
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