To apply, make sure you’re logged in with your AICPA student affiliate membership credentials.

AICPA Foundation Two-Year Transfer Scholarship is part of the AICPA Foundation Legacy Scholarships.  Students interested in being considered for more than one AICPA Foundation Legacy Scholarship need to complete only one application — applicants will be evaluated for all awards for which they are eligible in the program. All applications must be completed and submitted by the deadline to be considered.

The award was established in 2013 to recognize the diverse paths students take to become CPA professionals. It provides financial assistance to students looking to transfer from a two-year college to a four-year institution to complete their degree in accounting or an accounting-related field. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the four-year college/university to be used towards payment of tuition and expenses directly related to obtaining a degree.

BDO USA is proud to support the AICPA Foundation Two-year Transfer Scholarship. BDO’s core purpose is helping people thrive every day. The firm is focused on delivering exceptional and sustainable outcomes and value for its people, clients, and communities. Through its Education & Literacy cause area, BDO aims to drive equal educational and economic opportunities by supporting organizations helping people advance academically and professionally.

An eligible applicant must be/have:

• Some financial need. Financial need will be assessed based on the criteria outlined within the application form. Applicants must not be receiving any full or partial scholarships or grants that cover or exceed all of their educational expenses.
• Currently completing courses at a two-year college/university and planning to transfer with a declared intent to major in accounting or an accounting-related field at a four-year college/university during 2026.
  
  
  • Payments to selected recipients are made to the four-year colleges/universities on behalf of the students.
  • “Accounting-related” shall be as determined by Sponsors at Sponsors’ sole discretion.
• Planning to pursue the CPA licensure but not presently be a CPA.
• Maintained an overall and major GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
• Enrolling as a full-time undergraduate (12 semester hours or equivalent) for the 2026-27 academic year.
• Completing an Associate's degree with at least 6 semester hours (or equivalent) in accounting by the end of summer 2026.
• Enrolling in a business and/or accounting program that is regionally, nationally or internationally accredited for the full 2026-27 academic year. The program must be accepted by the state board of accountancy as meeting the educational requirements necessary for CPA licensure in the state you intend to become licensed OR in the state where your program is located.
  
  
  • Please visit ThisWayToCPA’s State & Territory Requirements or contact your state board of accountancy to confirm if your program meets the educational requirements necessary for CPA licensure.
• An AICPA Student Affiliate member (or have submitted a new member application). Apply for free at: www.thiswaytocpa.com/join-aicpa.
• A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (Green Card holder).
• Willingness to remain engaged with the AICPA and to provide feedback for the development of this and other programs by the Association.

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 Legacy Scholarships 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 Legacy Scholarships application box. Click on the Apply button to start your application entry.

For questions contact: scholarships@aicpa.org.

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