Washington CPA Foundation Scholarships

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 2024-2025 school year. Read on to find out how you can earn a scholarship for the 2025-2026 school year.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Entering junior year or higher in the fall of 2025. Fifth-year, masters, and community college transfers are encouraged to apply,
• Attend or will be attending an accredited college or university within the state of Washington
• Plan to become a CPA (currently licensed CPAs are not eligible for this scholarship award)
• Have a minimum 2.5 GPA (on a 4 point scale) (or equivalent) in your accounting major and overall
• Involvement in on-campus, off-campus or community activities or hold a job

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Current resume that includes jobs, internships (paid or unpaid), volunteer positions and leadership roles on campus or in the community
• Transcripts (official or unofficial) from the college or university you currently attend and any that you attended previously
• One letter of recommendation on company or university letterhead. The letter must be from a faculty member, employer, mentor or a licensed CPA. Letters must be submitted online through the application portal.
• GPA Calculator Worksheet available online
  • Get tips for filling out this worksheet online
• Three essays (500 words or less).
  • Please describe your path to study accounting and choosing to become a CPA. What led you to target this career path, who inspired you along the way or what opportunities do you see on this career path?
  • How will receiving this scholarship directly support your academic and professional aspirations? Please describe how it will help you overcome any specific challenges or obstacles you’ve encountered, and how it will contribute to your success in achieving your long-term goals.
  • Tell us up to three things that you believe the review committee should know about you but are not mentioned elsewhere in your application. This could include your future career goals, involvement in extracurricular activities, or any challenges you've faced and how you've worked to overcome them.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Scholarships of $5,000 will be awarded to juniors, seniors, and fifth-year students
• Scholarships of up to $10,000 will be awarded to master's students
• Scholarships are for tuition only and will be paid directly to the college or university listed at the end of July 2025. The Washington CPA Foundation will not authorize release of the scholarship funds directly to the recipient.
• Responsibility for ensuring that the monies can be used for the quarter/semester granted lies solely with the recipient. Please verify with your school that you are in compliance with institutional rules for scholarships and that you meet all qualifications for payment to be applied to your account.
• Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the Washington CPA Foundation Scholarship Committee based on merit and passion for the profession. Scholarships are awarded without regard to age, gender, race, creed, religion, ethnic or national origin, or sexual orientation. Applicants will be notified of the Scholarship Committee's decision at the beginning of April 2025.
• Students who have applied and/or received a scholarship in previous years are welcome to apply again.

$2,000 Associate Accounting Scholarships

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Attend a two- or four-year college or university in Washington State.
• Be entering your first or second year (in college) in Fall 2025 with less than 30 semester / 45 quarter credits.
• Have an interest in becoming an accountant or certified public accountant (CPA).
• GPA: 2.5 (high school GPA for those entering their first year in college or college GPA for those entering their second year).
• Submit your application by April 15, 2025, 11:59 pm PT

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Community engagement which could include jobs, internships (paid or unpaid), volunteer positions, and/or leadership roles on campus or in the community.
• Transcripts (official or unofficial from all colleges attended, or high school if applying as a first-year college student).
• Three essays (500 words or less).
  • In what ways does studying accounting fulfill your academic and career ambitions? Reflect on why accounting excites you and how it supports your personal and professional growth.
  • How will receiving this scholarship directly support your academic and professional aspirations? Please describe how it will help you overcome any specific challenges or obstacles you’ve encountered, and how it will contribute to your success in achieving your long-term goals.
  • Tell us up to three things that you believe the review committee should know about you but are not mentioned elsewhere in your application. This could include your future career goals, involvement in extracurricular activities, or any challenges you've faced and how you've worked to overcome them.
• Email address or contact information for one reference. Reference may be an educator, supervisor, CPA, mentor or community reference (volunteer coordinator, church leader, etc.).