Scholarships, grants and fellowships are great options to offset the costs of higher education, but as one of thousands of applicants, how can you avoid getting lost in the shuffle? A strong application could help you unlock not only thousands of dollars but also access invaluable networking and career opportunities. 

Four experts shared their advice on creating stellar scholarship submissions, in the January student webinar from AICPA^® and ThisWayToCPA. Their four top tips will guide you as you research and apply for AICPA Foundation Legacy scholarships that support your accounting education.  

Best advice for a stand-out application

1. Demonstrate your passion for accounting. Highlight your paid jobs, internships and volunteer work to make your application shine. Showcase your academic achievements, share your dreams and discuss how the scholarship puts your career goals within reach. 
    
   “You may be early in your career or are struggling to get an internship, but you can show that you’re making an effort, and you are committed to furthering your career in accounting,” said Cami Frogge, senior at Arizona State University and a recipient of the AICPA Foundation Two-Year Transfer Scholarship Award.
    
    “My advice for everyone would be to keep showing up for yourself. Get involved, keep on applying strategically. Learn to reflect and dig deep within yourselves,” said Rocky Aliping, associate at CliftonLarsonAllen, and a recipient of the AICPA Foundation Scholarship for Future CPAs and the Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop.
    
    
2. Create a calendar with your application timeline to keep you on track. As you compile your applications, you’ll want to note deadlines to stay organized. 
    
    “Planning things out like that can really alleviate a lot of the stress from this process, especially if it’s your first time applying for scholarships,” said Dan Molyneaux, CPA, and a recipient of two Foundation scholarships. “Getting pen and paper out, and saying, ‘I need to do X, Y and Z, one step at a time,’ will definitely take some of the pressure off.”
    
    
3. Proofread your application. As part of your final review, doublecheck for typos and ensure you submit required documents. If a document is optional, why not submit it anyway? It could be the tiebreaker. 
    
    
4. Submit multiple applications. The AICPA Foundation Legacy scholarships award up to $10,000 with just one application. But why not increase your chances by also applying for other scholarships that you’re qualified for? Firms and state CPA societies are among the other organizations offering financial assistance to help you pay for college. Browse the National Accounting Scholarship Search to find the scholarships right for you. 
    
    While it can pay to apply for multiple scholarships, make sure you’re doing your search and only spending time on scholarships you qualify for. “Don’t just be applying to all the scholarships out there,” said Edwin Gonzalez, Manager – AICPA Foundation, Scholarship program. “We get applications from students that are pursuing architecture or design. They clearly didn’t read the instructions or requirements.”

Each year, the AICPA Foundation awards more than $1 million

Through scholarships, grants and fellowships to aspiring accountants, the AICPA Foundation has been committed to the next generation of accountants for more than 100 years.

Financial aid is just one aspect of the AICPA Foundation’s scholarship program. Scholarship recipients can widen their professional networks and make valuable connections. 

“Not all opportunities and blessings come through monetary value,” said Aliping. “There’s a lot of things you can get from networking and events.”

“[Earning a scholarship] will provide a great amount of recognition to your resume if you can brand yourself as an AICPA Foundation scholarship recipient,” said Gonzalez. 

Don’t let academic costs deter your dreams. The AICPA Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships each year to accounting students. Watch the full conversation and apply for a scholarship today. 

Discover more about the accounting and finance profession and access helpful resources by joining the AICPA as a free Student Affiliate Member.