NJCPA Scholarship Applications Open

BY SUSAN DYER, NJCPA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

As the NJCPA Scholarship Fund celebrates its 64th year, applications to apply for high school and college accounting scholarships officially opened. The deadline to apply for high school scholarships is Dec. 8, 2023, and the college scholarship application deadline is Jan. 8, 2024.

Henrietta Fuchs, CPA, president of the Fund, partner at CohnReznick and a past NJCPA scholarship recipient, reflected on what being a scholarship recipient meant to her: “The scholarships are a great way to introduce these students to the NJCPA and let them know there is a vast resource of professionals available who want nothing more than to support them in their journey to become accounting professionals and CPAs. As a past scholarship recipient myself, I know firsthand the value of connecting very early in this career path.”

“Receiving the NJCPA Scholarship means that I can worry less about finances and rather focus more on my future in accounting,” said Gianna Morra, a student at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and a 2023 scholarship winner. “Becoming CPA-eligible requires a lot of time and money, but this scholarship gives me the support I need to continue pushing through.”

Erin Murphy, a student at Seton Hall University and a 2023 scholarship winner, added, “It provides me with a network of incredible professionals who inspire me to reach my professional goals. In addition, this scholarship empowers me to focus on my studies, engage in meaningful experiences and ultimately make a positive impact in the accounting profession.”

Scholarship Categories

The NJCPA offers the following scholarships: y High School Scholarships: College-bound high school seniors intending to major in accounting or obtain a concentration in accounting can apply for a $1,500 scholarship. Students need a cumulative 3.2 grade point average or a minimum 1260 SAT or 26 ACT score (if taken) to apply. y Deloitte Scholars High School Minority Scholarships: In its third year, the Deloitte Scholars High School Minority Scholarship, funded by the Deloitte Foundation, is for college-bound high school seniors intending to major in accounting or obtain a concentration in accounting. The same requirements as the general high school scholarships apply and the scholarships are $1,500 each. Additionally, applicants must identify as an ethnic minority. y College Scholarships: College sophomores, juniors and seniors who are enrolled in an accounting program or have a concentration in accounting at a New Jersey college can apply for a one-year college scholarship. Sophomore awards are $2,000 and applicants must have a 3.2 GPA, be a New Jersey resident, have at least three accounting credits by end of the fall 2023 semester and at least a total of six accounting credits by the end of the spring 2024 semester. Juniors and seniors must also be a New Jersey resident, have a GPA of 3.2 and have at least 12 accounting credits by the end of the spring 2024 semester, and the awards are $6,500 each.

For each scholarship there is a 500-word essay as part of the application. More information about the scholarship requirements, eligibility and how to apply is available at njcpa.org/scholarships.

To contribute to the Scholarship Fund, visit njcpa.org/scholarship