As higher education becomes more expensive in the U.S., most students must use financial aid to pay for at least part of their degree. Learners from low-income backgrounds and historically excluded groups may especially struggle to pay for college. Fortunately, financial aid for accounting majors is available in the form of scholarships, loans, grants, and work-study programs.
Four-year degrees from public universities cost $8,312 on average in the 1985-86 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics National Center for Education Statistics. The price tag rose to $18,383 in 2018-19. A typical bachelor's degree from a public school can cost more than $73,000 in total.
Financial aid for racial minority students, including scholarships for Black accounting majors, can assist learners from these groups in completing college. This guide explains various types of financial aid for students from under-resourced groups. We also list scholarships for specific minority groups.
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Types of Funding Available for Accounting Students
Federal Student Loans
Financial aid applicants may qualify for student loans. A loan is borrowed money and must be repaid in full, typically with added interest. Federal loans tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans.
The U.S. Department of Education offers two types of federal student loan programs: direct loans and federal Perkins loans. Undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for government-subsidized loans. The federal government pays the interest on these loans while borrowing students attend school, for the first six months after graduation, and during certain periods of deferment.
Unsubsidized loans may be awarded to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Learners need not prove financial need to receive these funds. For these loans, students must pay all interest themselves.
Private Loans
Private loans may suit students whose financial situations have unexpectedly changed. Learners may also turn to private loans if they hit a federal borrowing limit or failed to fill out the FAFSA.
While private loans may offer short-term convenience, they often come with high interest rates. These interest rates on private loans may change over the life of the loan, sometimes in an unpredictable manner. Obtaining a private loan often entails a credit check and may require a cosigner. Students should consider this source of aid a last resort.
Work-Study
Federal work-study programs provide part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need. These students earn money by working for their school or a nonprofit organization to help offset education expenses.
Work-study positions pay at least the minimum hourly wage. Some may pay more depending on the type of job and the student's skill set. Work-study programs are available to both full-time and part-time students, but not all schools participate in the federal work-study program. Prospective students should contact their school to find out if this is an option for financial assistance.
Grants
Grants do not require repayment. Grants are typically need-based aid and can come from government entities, colleges or vocational schools, or private organizations.
Citizenship status may limit the number of grants for which students qualify. Some grants may be reserved for students with special skills or military backgrounds. Some may only go to students in a particular field of study. Many grants target students belonging to specific racial or ethnic groups.
Learners should keep in mind that federal grants may need to be partially or fully repaid if a student withdraws from a program, their enrollment status changes from full time to part time, or they accept additional funding from an outside source after receiving a federal grant.
Scholarships
Like grants, scholarships do not require repayment, making them one of the best sources of financial aid. Schools or external sources like private or nonprofit organizations may offer scholarships.
Scholarships are often highly competitive and merit-based. To compete, applicants must meet or exceed minimum requirements. Many of these requirements relate to individuals' academic performance.
Scholarships may serve particular groups of students based on their major, special talent, community participation, volunteerism, or background. These forms of aid may cover the entire cost of tuition or help offset school-related expenses, such as supplies and books.
Types of Scholarships for Minorities
Thousands of scholarships for racial minority students exist. Still, finding these aid resources takes time and hard work. Knowing where to look can help students find scholarship opportunities more easily.
Your school's financial aid office can make a good starting place to find scholarships for Black accounting majors and other historically excluded groups pursuing accounting.
Many organizations offer scholarships for under-resourced students. These organizations may include professional organizations, nonprofit foundations, for-profit businesses, and location-based groups.
Other places to look for scholarships include school departments, race- or ethnicity-based groups, your or your parents' employers, and government agencies. The military also offers financial aid for military and veterans.
Possible Requirements
Scholarships ask applicants to meet various eligibility criteria. Potential requirements include demographics, minimum GPA, degree level, and enrollment status. Other requirements for may include demonstrable financial need, participation in extracurricular activities, or citizenship status.
Scholarships for accounting majors who are Black and/or belong to other minority groups may require applicants to submit letters of recommendation, personal essays, or resumes. The most competitive scholarships for learners from historically excluded groups often require a long, intensive application process.
Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum GPA
- Minimum test scores
- Demographics (membership in a minority racial or ethnic group)
- Degree level (undergraduate or graduate)
- Enrollment status (part time or full time)
- Demonstrate financial need
Submission Requirements
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal essay
- Resume
- Photo
- Documentation of membership in a professional group
- College transcripts
Available Financial Aid for Minorities
Students from minoritized groups can find many opportunities for financial aid. Our list below scratches the surface of these scholarship offerings. Consider the following types of financial aid for racial minorities. These scholarships may help improve diversity in the accounting field.
Financial Aid for Black Accounting Students
National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) National Scholarship
- Requirements: NABA offers scholarships for Black accounting majors with plans to enter accounting, business, or finance. Applicants must be active NABA student members pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. The scholarship requires a minimum 3.5 major and 3.3 overall GPA.
- Award: $1,500
- Apply
Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program
- Requirements: This program accepts applications from sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in Illinois colleges and majoring or interested in accounting. Applicants must belong to an ethnic or racial group that is underrepresented in accounting. They should also demonstrate a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Award: All-expenses paid internship in Chicago, $500 scholarship, and interview for paid accounting internships
- Apply
National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) CPA Exam Reviews
- Requirements: Applicants must be Black or African American, active NABA members, and full-time undergraduate or master's students. Candidates should major in accounting, finance, or business.
- Award: Credit for a free or discounted CPA exam review course
- Apply
Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship
- Requirements: Candidates must be full-time graduate or upper-level undergraduate students majoring in governmental accounting, public administration, or political science. The application requires a letter of recommendation.
- Award: $10,000
- Apply
Herman J. Neal Accounting Scholarships
- Requirements: The Illinois CPA Society offers this scholarship for African American juniors, seniors, or graduate students. Candidates must be U.S. residents or permanent residents, enrolled in an Illinois postsecondary institution, and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must plan to take the Illinois CPA exam within three years.
- Award: $1,000-$4,000
- Apply
Financial Aid for Hispanic and Latin Accounting Students
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students
- Requirements:Applicants must be Hispanic, Black, Native American, Pacific Islander, or Asian American. Candidates should be undergraduate or graduate students majoring in accounting or a related field. Students must plan to pursue CPA licensure and maintain an overall and major 3.0 GPA at minimum.
- Award: $3,000-$5,000
- Apply
Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) Scholarships
- Requirements: ALPFA offers many scholarships from individual and corporate donors.Applicants must be ALPFA premium student members and full-time undergraduate (rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors) or graduate students. The scholarship requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and submission of a resume.
- Award: Varies internships
- Apply
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- Requirements: Graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students can apply. Applicants must be Hispanic and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA (high school seniors) or minimum 2.5 GPA (undergraduate and graduate students). Students must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients.
- Award: $500-$5,000
- Apply
Association of Hispanic Professionals, Inc. Scholarship
- Requirements:Applicants must be high school seniors of Hispanic descent. They should have a "B" average, letters of recommendation, and a community service record. The scholarship also requires documented financial need and acceptance to an accredited postsecondary institution.
- Award: $1,000
- Apply
The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium
- Requirements: This scholarship consortium offers various financial aid options for Hispanics and Latinos. Applicants must live in Texas (U.S. citizenship not required), plan to enroll in an accredited postsecondary institution in the U.S., and hold a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Award: Varies (includes leadership training and mentorship)
- Apply
Financial Aid for Asian American and Pacific Islander Accounting Students
AICPA's Private Companies Practice Section George Willie Ethnically Diverse Student Scholarship and Internship
- Requirements:This program provides scholarships for minorities planning to pursue the CPA credential and in their last year of study toward an accounting degree. Other requirements include AICPA student affiliate membership, full-time enrollment, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and the ability to complete an internship in January through April of the award year.
- Award: Up to $10,000
- Apply
The National Association of Asian American Professionals Philadelphia Future Leaders Scholarship Program
- Requirements: Candidates must be of Asian or Asian American descent. They should be enrolled in high school or college in greater Philadelphia and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students must submit an essay, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and transcripts.
- Award: $1,000
- Apply
AICPA's Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students
- Requirements: Applicants must be attending or planning to attend a doctoral program accredited by AACSB, ACBSP or IACBE. Students should be a minority and either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. The fellowship also requires a master's degree or at least three years of full-time accounting experience.
- Award: $12,000
- Apply
The Tang Scholarship
- Requirements: Candidates must identify as Asian or Pacific Islander and gay, lesbian, or transgender. Other requirements include U.S. citizenship or legal residency, documented financial hardship, academic promise, and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must have graduated from a Bay Area high school.
- Award: Up to $60,000 over four years
- Apply
Asian and Pacific Islander Scholarship Fund
- Requirements:Asian and Pacific Islanders enrolling in an undergraduate program at an accredited U.S. college can apply. Applicants must hold a minimum cumulative 2.7 GPA and submit one letter of recommendation.
- Award: $2,500-$20,000
- Apply
Financial Aid for Indigenous American Accounting Students
Navajo Nation Investment Committee Finance and Accounting Scholarship and Internship Program
- Requirements: Enrolled members of the Navajo Nation pursuing degrees in accounting, finance, economics, or public administration can apply. Applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit a letter of recommendation from their academic advisor.
- Award: Up to $7,000 (per academic year) and internship employment
- Apply
REDW Native American Scholarship in Accounting
- Requirements: Applicants must be Native Americans or Alaskan Natives and complete a financial needs analysis. Students should be full-time juniors or seniors majoring in accounting, finance, or a related discipline.
- Apply
Navajo Nation Oil & Gas Scholarships
- Requirements: This program accepts applications from Navajo tribal members majoring in a field relevant to the oil and gas industry. Potential majors include accounting, engineering, natural resource management, and business administration.
- Apply
Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship
- Requirements: Candidates must be Native American or Alaska Native and complete a financial needs analysis. College juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA can apply if they are pursuing a degree in a field like accounting, information technology, human resources, or finance.
- Apply
Full Circle & Tribal College Scholarships
- Requirements: Applicants must be full-time students with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Candidates must also be U.S. citizens and members or descendants of a state or federally recognized tribe. Submission requirements include transcripts, a digital photo, and documented tribal affiliation.
- Award: Varies
- Apply
Tips for Getting Minority Scholarships
Students from historically excluded groups can find financial aid resources and accounting-specific scholarships in many places. When researching deadlines, keep in mind that scholarships can impact other need-based financial aid eligibility and vice versa. Keep reading for our best tips on finding and applying for scholarships for minorities.
Finding Scholarships
- Go to the Financial Aid Office: Students can find scholarships through their high school or college financial aid office. Financial aid office employees can give advice and point you toward helpful resources.
- Use the Scholarship Search Tool from the U.S. Department of Labor: Students can search for thousands of scholarships using this free scholarship finder.
- Look at Ethnicity-Based Organizations: Look for scholarships for minorities from ethnicity-based organizations and community groups.
- Look at professional accounting groups: A good way to find out about accounting-specific scholarships is to look on professional accounting group websites.
Applying for Scholarships
- Apply Early: Do not wait until the deadline. Apply as early as possible to give yourself enough time to make your application the best it can be.
- Apply Often: The more scholarships you apply for, the better your chances of winning one.
- Proofread Your Application: Small grammar mistakes can make the difference between winning a scholarship or not. Make sure to proofread your application and ask a friend to look it over before submitting it.
- Meet the Requirements: Make sure you meet all eligibility criteria. Applying for scholarships that you do not qualify for is a waste of time.
Questions About Minority Financial Aid
Can financial aid for minorities cover my tuition?
Students can use financial aid for minorities to help pay for tuition and fees for their college education. Minority financial aid can also cover the cost of books, housing, and other eligible expenses.What kind of minority financial aid exists for accounting majors?
Various minority financial aid exists for accounting majors. This includes grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships for minorities who meet specific eligibility criteria.How early should I apply for minority scholarships?
For the best chances of receiving an award, apply for minority scholarships as early as possible. Each scholarship sets its own deadline. Some require applications as early as a year in advance, so start your scholarship research even earlier.Are there scholarships for Black accounting majors?
Yes. Many scholarships exist for Black accounting majors and students from other historically excluded groups.Angelique Geehan
Angelique Geehan works to support and repair the connections people have with themselves and their families, communities, and cultural practices. A queer, Asian, gender binary-nonconforming parent, Geehan founded Interchange, a consulting group that offers anti-oppression support. She organizes as part of several groups, including the National Perinatal Association's Health Equity Workgroup, the Health and Healing Justice Committee of the National Queer and Trans Asian and Pacific Islander Alliance, QTPOC+ Family Circle, and Batalá Houston.
Angelique Geehan is a paid member of the Red Ventures Education freelance review network.
Page last reviewed Nov. 22, 2021
Featured Image: Marko Geber / DigitalVision / Getty Images
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