The Washington CPA Foundation awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to accounting students attending an accredited college or university in the state of Washington for the 2019-2020 school year. Read on to find out how you can earn a scholarship for the 2020-2021 school year.

The Washington CPA Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications! Click the button below to begin your application. The scholarship platform saves your progress, so you can log back in as many times as you need to in order to complete and submit your application by February 17.

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Eligibility Requirements

  • Students entering junior year or higher in fall 2019. Fifth year, master's, and PhD candidates as well as community college transfers are encouraged to apply
  • GPA minimum of 3.0 (or equivalent) in accounting courses and overall
  • Involvement in on-campus, off-campus or community activities
  • Provide one letter of recommendation on letterhead from a CPA, mentor, professor, or direct supervisor
  • Submit copies of transcripts from any colleges attended

Scholarship Guidelines

  • Students transferring from a community college to 4 year college or university accredited in Washington State are eligible for scholarships
  • Fifth year, graduate and PhD accounting students attending a college or university that is accredited in Washington State are eligible for scholarships
  • Past scholarship recipients may re-apply

Amount and Duration of Scholarships

  • Scholarships of $5,000 will be awarded to juniors, seniors, and fifth-year students
  • Scholarships of up to $8,000 will be awarded master's and PhD students
  • Scholarships are non-renewable and are for tuition only
  • Scholarships are paid directly to the accredited college or university listed on application
  • Scholarships are awarded only to individuals attending an accredited college or university in Washington State
  • The student is solely responsible for ensuring that the monies can be used for the semester/quarter/year granted

What You Will Need

  • Unofficial transcripts from the college or university you currently attend and any that you attended previously
  • The email address of a CPA, mentor, professor, or direct supervisor who will provide a reference for you
  • Current résumé that includes any internships (paid or unpaid), jobs, awards, volunteer positions or leadership roles on campus or in the community
  • Two essays of 500 words or less. Find the questions at the end of the scholarship application.

Tips for a Successful Scholarship Application

  • Plan ahead. On average, it takes about three to four weeks to get a recommendation, and you can hone your essays by asking friends and family to provide feedback.
  • Polish your résumé. Your résumé is a quick summary that will give the reviewers (and potential employers) a summary of who you are. Make sure you're putting your best foot forward.

More Scholarship Opportunities

Do you dream of being a CPA but aren't a rising junior yet? Check out the accounting scholarship from the Washington Association of Accountants and Tax Professionals and National Society of Accountants!

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants also offers the following scholarships: