Find Money for School: Scholarships for Accounting Majors

Accounting is one of those business specializations that never falls out of demand. Nearly every business, industry, major corporation needs accountants. In fact, you can also write your own career ticket.

African American, Hispanic, and Native American students have huge advantages when it comes to competing for accounting scholarships. Women, the same. Historically, the accounting industry has been underrepresented by both ethnic minorities and females. Scholarships are changing the scenery.

Sources for Accounting student scholarships:

  • Government sources
  • Private and professional sources
  • Colleges and universities

Government Scholarships for Accounting Majors

You may not find “accounting scholarships” through the federal government, per se, but you will find support for students in any of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) degrees. Since Accounting is a mathematics field minority students qualify.

Start with your state government education scholarships. Many states offer STEM scholarships for resident students. Expect to have to show financial need and minority status to qualify.

Private and Professional Sources

In the Accounting and finance sectors especially, private and professional organizations are key in nailing scholarship money. Check out these examples of some of the more well-known scholarship programs:

  • The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) offers well-endowed scholarships to a wide spectrum of accounting students, including minorities—Minority Accounting Scholarships-- and career changers migrating from a previous degree to a graduate Accounting degree--John L. Carey Scholarship. Awards range between $1,500 and $5,000.
  • For Accounting majors pursuing careers at the government level or as accountants in public service: The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) administers the Frank Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship. Undergraduate and graduate accounting majors heading into jobs as government finance professionals may vie for this $5,000 award. Also from the GFOA: Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship. Undergrad and grad minorities majoring in government or public admin accounting/finance are eligible to apply. Awards are also $5,000.
  • The American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants takes a vested interest in promoting women in accounting and CPA jobs. The organization’s Foundation provides financial aid in the form of scholarships to women with marked financial need pursuing studies to become a CPA.
  • The National Association of Black Accountants offers scholarships up to $10,000 to students members enrolled in a college or university accounting major. Students must be members to qualify and demonstrate financial need for the award.

Accounting Scholarships from Colleges and Universities

Your school should be first on your list for scholarship sources….

Auburn University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, University of Texas-San Antonio, University of Utah, Illinois State University, Appalachian State University, Kent State, and Oklahoma State Universities—ALL offer valuable Accounting Scholarships. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Any college or university where a school or college of business may be found will offer accounting scholarships. Undergraduate and graduate students should thoroughly explore the school’s opportunities.