Accounting Degree Scholarships: Your Guide to Funding Your Future

Due to the high cost of higher education, students pursuing an accounting degree often seek scholarships to reduce their educational expenses. This article provides valuable resources for accounting students by listing online scholarship opportunities.

Why Scholarships Matter for Accounting Majors

Accounting degrees, especially those targeting the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, can be expensive. CPA licensure requires either 120 or 150 credit hours in combination with professional experience, and many students need a fifth year or a combined degree program to meet that threshold. Scholarships help ease the financial load, so students can focus on educational opportunities, CPA prep, and building real-world experience. They’re also a critical tool for promoting access to opportunities, as securing scholarship support early can be your ticket to coveted Big Four involvement and a stronger return on investment throughout your career.

Types of Scholarships Accounting Majors Can Apply For

It’s helpful to understand the major categories of scholarships for accounting majors. Support typically comes from:

National Professional Organizations

Many national accounting organizations offer scholarships for students. These awards often require strong academic performance and membership of the applicant or one of their family members. Well-known examples include scholarships from organizations such as the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).

AICPA Foundation Legacy Scholarships

The AICPA Foundation Legacy Scholarships help students of different backgrounds become CPAs by assisting with the cost of their college education. The AICPA has supported accounting students for more than 130 years, awarding more than $1 million in scholarships, grants, and fellowships to hundreds of students each year. Recipients receive on average $5,000 towards their education.

The AICPA provides financial assistance to accounting students through hundreds of scholarships each year, awarding more than $1 million in scholarship programs, grants, and fellowships each year.

AICPA Foundation Fellowship for Accounting Doctoral Students

Multiple $15,000 fellowships are awarded to CPAs starting or already pursuing a full-time accounting Ph.D. or DBA degree at an AACSB-accredited accounting/business school who demonstrate significant potential to become accounting educators. The fellowship may be renewable for up to three consecutive years from the initial award. Current fellows must provide proof of enrollment and program progress for award renewal.

AICPA Scholarship for Future CPAs

This scholarship provides financial assistance to accounting majors who plan to become CPAs, awarding up to $10,000.

AICPA Two-Year Transfer Scholarship Award

This scholarship provides financial assistance to students looking to transfer from a two-year college to a four-year institution to complete their degree in accounting or an accounting-related field, awarding $5,000/year.

AICPA Foundation CPA Exam Grant

The CPA Exam Grant assists students and CPA candidates with some of the costs they may have incurred while taking the CPA Exam, awarding up to $1,000.

Read also: Career in Accounting

AICPA Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop

The Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop (ASLW) provides education and awareness around the breadth of career opportunities in accounting and finance to college and university students.

Firm-Sponsored Awards

Big Four firms and other major accounting companies invest in future talent through scholarships. These often target students in their fifth year or in combined degree programs who are working toward CPA eligibility. Beyond financial support, these awards frequently come with internship or recruitment opportunities.

Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program

This program provides 100% of tuition and academic fees, excluding books and living expenses, if students maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA for all semesters and upon graduation. Eligibility requirements vary among the 25 participating schools.

EY Accounting Scholarships at Pace

These awards recognize Lubin School of Business accounting students with a 3.30 GPA or higher who show strong leadership and active involvement in campus activities, community service, or high school organizations. Students may receive this award for no more than three academic years, provided they remain eligible according to scholarship stipulations.

Professional Associations

Associations such as the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) offer scholarships focused on diversity, professional development, and networking. These groups aim to support underrepresented students and provide a connection to communities and networks that boost their career growth.

Read also: Master's in Accountancy at Rutgers

National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) National Scholarships

NABA Foundation scholarships are open to applicants of all races who meet the eligibility criteria and are active members of the National Association of Black Accountants. They should be pursuing a bachelor’s or graduate degree in accounting, business, or finance. Awards can reach up to $10,000.

Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) Scholarships

Candidates of any race, ethnicity, or nationality are welcome to apply. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and an active Premium ALPFA National student or professional membership. Awards go to those with the highest scores from ALPFA judges. Awards can reach up to $10,000.

Scholarships Through Universities

Many universities offer scholarships specifically for accounting majors, especially those pursuing the 150 credit hours required for CPA licensure through combined degree or fifth-year programs. These scholarships may link directly to internship pipelines or firm partnerships.

Scholarships for Lubin Students at Pace University

The Lubin School of Business provides merit- and need-based awards to help alleviate the financial load.

The Janetschek Professional Growth Fund

This fund provides financial support to qualified Lubin undergraduate and graduate students seeking business-related development beyond their academic programs. This may include skills training, credential preparation, certifications, and related co-curricular education and activities that develop professional competencies, complementing their program of study.

Graduation Awards for Lubin Undergraduate Students

These awards are available to Lubin undergraduate students who have filed for graduation with the Office of the Registrar and have a minimum 3.20 cumulative GPA. Qualifying students can be eligible for the Professional Management Award and the Alumni Association Award.

Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program at Pace University

This program provides up to ten full-tuition scholarships to qualified applicants pursuing a fifth-year master’s degree in accounting with a concentration in audit, advisory, or tax.

Specific Scholarship Opportunities

Here are some specific scholarship opportunities for accounting students:

Army Cadet Command: Offers scholarships to US resident high school seniors and college students. The average award covers full tuition. Deadline: March 26, 2026.
Jerome B. Schmitt Memorial Scholarship: Offered by the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley. Eligibility includes a minimum 2.50 GPA, attending a high school in which there is a WesBanco Branch (Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia), and planning to attend West Liberty University. Deadline: March 31, 2026.
Alfred P. West, Sr. and Jane C. West Scholarship: Deadline: March 31, 2026.
Beall Family Endowed Scholarship: Offered by Stetson University. Eligibility includes a minimum 2.50 GPA, residency in Florida, attendance at Stetson University School of Business, and demonstrating financial need. The average award is $7,500. Deadline: Dec. 31, 2026.
Capitol Federal Foundation Scholarship: Offered by Johnson County Community College. Eligibility includes a minimum 2.00 GPA, residency in Emporia, Lawrence, Salina, or Wichita, Kansas or Missouri, and studying accounting, banking, finance, entrepreneurship, business office technology, computer information technology, economics, marketing, or management. Deadline: Dec. 31, 2026.
Charles Emory and Jeanne C. Smith Quasi-End Scholarship: Due to the high cost of higher education institutions, students pursuing an accounting degree are searching for the best accounting scholarships to reduce their educational expenses.
NDS Merton Sowerby Junior Merit Scholarship: This scholarship awards $1,500 and is available to current junior students at a four-year college who are planning a career in the dairy industry. Relevant majors include Dairy Science, Agricultural Economics or Accounting, Dairy Genetics, Dairy Equipment, Dairy Nutrition, Dairy Feed or Pharmaceutical sales, Dairy Consultant, Dairy Extension, Dairy researcher or Professor. Deadline: April 15, 2026.
AAUW Selected Professions Fellowship: The American Association of University Women awards a fellowship to women in STEM graduate programs, including STEM-designated accounting programs. Fellowship criteria include academic excellence, career goals, and a commitment to supporting other women. Award: $20,000. Deadline: Oct. 7.
ABWA General Scholarship: Black women in accounting qualify for scholarships from the Alliance of Black Women Accountants (ABWA). Both part-time and full-time students qualify with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Applicants must hold a free ABWA student membership. The scholarship committee considers leadership skills, academic records, and financial need. Award: Up to $5,000. Deadline: Sept. 21.
AGA Academic Scholarships: Offered by the Association of Government Accountants, these academic scholarships support incoming college students, current undergraduates, and graduate students who plan to work in government financial management. Applicants can be full-time or part-time students. The scholarship committee considers academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to the field of study. Award: $3,000. Deadline: June 11.
American Dream Scholarship: The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA) offers this scholarship to support students earning an associate degree in business who plan to transfer into a bachelor’s program in accounting. The committee prefers applicants from the Black, Latino/a, or Native community. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Award: Up to $1,000. Deadline: March 30.
Anne Napolitano Consulting Women in Accounting Scholarship: Anne Napolitano Consulting offers an annual women in accounting scholarship to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The scholarship requires official or unofficial transcripts, a current resume, and an essay or video. Award: $1,000. Deadline: Nov. 30.
Aspire Scholarship: Women pursuing a two-year business or accounting degree and demonstrating financial need can apply for this EFWA scholarship. Applicants must be a primary source of support for their families. Recipients can renew the award by demonstrating a minimum 2.0 GPA and progress toward a degree. Award: Up to $2,000. Deadline: March 30.
AWSCPA Scholarship: AICPA’s Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee awards this scholarship to women earning an undergraduate or graduate degree in accounting or business. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least 30 college credits. The award supports women planning to become CPAs. Award: Varies. Deadline: March 15.
Carol Markman, CPA Accounting Scholarship: Offered by the National Conference of CPA Practitioners, this scholarship supports upper-class undergraduates and graduate students earning a degree in accounting or a related major. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA and must be student members of the NCCPAP or a descendent of an active member. Award: $1,000. Deadline: May 1.
Clark Burrus Scholarship: The Government Finance Officers Association offers this scholarship to support minority students who plan to work in state or local government finance. Applicants can be upper-level undergraduate or graduate students attending full time or part time.

Tips for Finding and Applying for Accounting Scholarships

Landing accounting scholarships takes strategy and preparation. Use these tips and tools to navigate the process and boost your chances of success.

Start Early

Organizations open scholarship applications at different times throughout the year. To avoid missing a deadline, look for award options about a year in advance.

Stay Organized

Stay organized by listing all applicable scholarships, application deadlines, and submission requirements. Narrow your search by reviewing degree-specific and identity-based awards.

Consider All Scholarship Options

Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars to complete tuition coverage. While the large awards may seem more appealing, small ones can add up quickly and significantly affect your out-of-pocket expenses.

Prepare Materials

Allow plenty of time to collect and prepare all required application materials, including transcripts, resumes, and personal essays. Ask for recommendation letters well before the deadline so professors and employers have enough time to write them.

Customize Applications

Scholarships differ greatly. Each one might focus on a unique professional or personal theme. Ensure each essay, letter, and resume reflects those differences and highlights relevant experience.

Check Your Work

Take time to carefully review each application. Consider writing essays outside the online application form so a friend, mentor, or teacher can review and proofread them.

Additional Tips

The narrower the scholarship requirements, the more likely you are to win.
The more scholarships you apply to, the better your chances of winning.
Put real effort into your essays, and make sure they answer the prompt you are given.
Think about what you will write, and proofread when you’re done.
Talk about your financial need and what you would use the scholarship money for if you won.
Dress professionally for scholarship interviews.
Research the scholarship's history and purpose.
Keep track of all deadlines.
Apply for scholarships year after year, all through college.

Additional Resources

Bold.org: Create a Bold.org profile and use the scholarship search feature to access hundreds of exclusive scholarships.
High school guidance office: A great place to start when looking for local scholarships.
National Scholarship Search page: For more information on scholarships offered by state CPA societies, and other not-for-profits.
School's financial aid office: For other potential sources of financial assistance.
ThisWayToCPA.com: To learn more about the CPA profession and join the AICPA for free as a Student Affiliate Member. Member-exclusive benefits include scholarship opportunities and competitions, special discounts on AICPA resources, and access to professional and career-building content through newsletters, webinars, Exam tips, and more to help you along your journey to becoming a CPA.

Four Types of Accounting

To obtain an undergraduate degree in accounting, students will take classes related to business, economics, and finance in addition to accounting classes. There are four main branches of accounting:

Corporate Accounting: Deals with handling and filing a company or business's financial information for external reporting and filing taxes.
Public Accounting: Works with external clients such as companies, corporations, or individuals in order to keep their financial statements and tax filings accurate.
Government Accounting: Works with government bodies, including local, state, and federal.
Forensic Accounting: Responsible for collecting, recovering, and reconstructing financial data.

Jobs for Accounting Majors

Corporate Accountants: Jobs usually involve external reporting, financial statements and tax filings, financial controllers, analysts, and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs).
Public Accountants: Jobs are usually found at public accounting firms that work with external clients.
Government Accountants: Jobs can entail auditing filed taxes, maintaining records, and managing government resources.
Forensic Accountants: Positions can be at law firms, legislative bodies, and government agencies like the FBI or the IRS.

Top Schools for Accounting

Accounting is one of the most popular majors in the United States and is offered at many schools. However, some accounting programs stand out from others as having top accounting programs.

University of Texas at Austin
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Brigham Young University - Provo
Indiana University - Bloomington
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

What Is the AICPA?

AICPA stands for the Association of International Certified Public Accountants. AICPA is the most influential body of professional accountants, and they describe themselves as empowering opportunity, trust, and prosperity for people, businesses, and economies worldwide. They hope to improve the reputation and quality of CPAs and the accounting profession.

Undergraduate students majoring in accounting can become AICPA student affiliate members, gaining access to professional resources, scholarship programs, professional mentors, opportunities for networking, and other benefits.

The CPA exam, or Certified Public Accountant exam, is a professional examination for individuals seeking to become licensed as certified public accountants. It is a standardized test administered by various state boards of accountancy in the United States.

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