Majoring in Finance? Snag a Scholarship and Slash Your Bottom Line

If you’re a financial “guru-to-be” it’s all about the bottom line with you. Let’s find out if you can slash that bottom line on your Business School tuition costs with a killer scholarship in Finance.

Minorities and women may discover even more scholarships—this aspect of Business has been vastly under-represented in the past. Diversity is upper-most in everyone’s mind in the 21st century business world.

Finance Scholarships from Private and Professional Sources

Professional associations are an often overlooked scholarship resource. Explore the various national and regional finance-related associations and societies. Why? Many have philanthropic foundations from which they offer good scholarships to student members. Examples:

  • Students aiming for careers in government or non-profit finance, check out the scholarships available through the Government Finance Officers Association. Awards are open to undergraduate and graduate students, with a special scholarship for minority finance students. Awards range from $5,000 to $10,000.
  • The American Finance Association (AFA) is a top-dog organization comprised of academic financial pros and fellows. Annual awards, to the tune of $5,000 and $10,000, are handed out to finance authors whose papers exemplify various aspects of the industry.

Businesses from small and regional to large national corporations are also often fertile ground for scholarship sponsorship. Example of a regional business offering a scholarship in Business Finance:

  • In Arizona The Miller Group, an investment firm, has launched a scholarship program aimed at W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Eligible students must be juniors or seniors and possess a strong urge and commitment to pursue investment finance in very competitive markets.

College and University Sources for Finance Scholarships

One of your very best sources for Finance scholarships is your college or university. If your business school offers a major in Finance, it’s almost a sure thing that you have access to one or two scholarships aimed specifically at Finance students. The school or college of business usually maintains general business scholarships, as well as a number that are more specific. Don’t miss these very valuable opportunities and awards for which you are most likely very qualified.

Examples of college and university Finance scholarships:

  • The University of Minnesota-Mankato’s College of Business maintains a proprietary stable of endowed scholarships for business majors. Among them are a few targeted to Finance students.
  • The Business School at the University of Colorado-Denver offers a battery of undergraduate and graduate scholarships for Finance majors. Various criteria include financial need, outstanding leadership skills, academic merit and degree level.
  • Lubin School of Business at Pace University administers the following scholarships: George Nielsen Public Investor Scholarship, Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship, Public Employee Retirement Research and Administration Scholarship, and the Urban Financial Services Coalition Scholarship, among others. These awards—ranging from $4,000 to $10,000-- target a spectrum of undergraduate and graduate students with various career goals.