The AICPA Foundation was established to advance the accounting profession and improve accounting education. The foundation is committed to supporting the next generation of CPAs so the profession remains robust and diverse.

The AICPA Foundation DECA Student Scholarship will be awarded to two currently active DECA member high school seniors who plan to attend an accredited two or four-year college or university and intend to major in accounting.

Eligible students must be/have:

• A currently active DECA member.
• Proof of acceptance into a public or private, not-for- profit (501(c)) two or four-year accredited college or university located in the U.S. states or territories for the full 2026-27 academic year. Students may apply for the scholarship if their college admission is pending. Proof of acceptance is required before payment is made.
• Maintained an unweighted overall GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).”
• Enrolling as a full-time undergraduate (12 semester hours or equivalent) for the full 2026-27 academic year.
• An AICPA Student Affiliate member (or have submitted a new member application). Apply online for free at: www.thiswaytocpa.com/join-aicpa.
• A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
• Some financial need (i.e., not receiving a full or partial scholarship(s) and/or grant(s) that together cover and/or exceed one’s educational expenses).

How to Access This Scholarship Application

1. Sign Up for a FREE student membership to AICPA at the top-right corner of this page.
2. Current student members Sign In to ThisWayToCPA.com using your student membership account at the top-right corner of this page.
3. Return to this application page and click the Apply Here button at the top of this page.
4. Create an account on the AICPA Foundation Awards and Financial Aid portal using your thiswaytocpa.com username and password.
5. Once inside the portal, click APPLY or SEE OPPORTUNITIES in the top-left corner.
6. Look for the AICPA Foundation DECA Student Scholarship Eligibility Quiz, then click Check Eligibility.
7. Once you pass the eligibility quiz, continue back to the application dashboard, where you will see the AICPA Foundation DECA Student Scholarship application box. Click on the Apply button to start your application entry.

Explore other scholarship opportunities for accounting majors and aspiring CPAs at ThisWayToCPA.com/scholarships, AccountingPlusHub.com, your state CPA society, and your school's financial aid office or business honor society.

Note: AICPA staff and their family members are not eligible to receive this scholarship.