Finance Scholarships for College

Finance Scholarships, Costs & ROI Snapshot

This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for Finance majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.

Scholarships in Our Database

We currently list 23 active scholarships tied to Finance programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.

Total Scholarship Dollars Listed

The scholarships currently listed total approximately $130,960 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.

Early-Career Pay & ROI

Early-career median pay for Finance graduates is about $81,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.

That means first-year earnings are roughly 75% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 1.3 years (before taxes and living expenses).

Finance Scholarships to Apply for Now (Scholarship FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Finance scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.

1

FFSH Scholarship Program

The FFSH Scholarship Program is offered by the Foundation for Financial Service History (FFSH) to support students pursuing higher education and careers in financial services, business, economics, accounting, finance, and related fields. This scholarship is designed to help motivated students

Award: Varies Deadline: April Est. Application Time: Med (88 min)
2

Goldberg-Miller Public Finance Scholarship

The Goldberg-Miller Public Finance Scholarship is a prestigious national scholarship administered by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). It is specifically designed to support students who are preparing for careers in public finance, including government budgeting, public-sector accounting, financial management,

Award: $15,000 Deadline: February Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)
3

Jane Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship was established by Zonta International to support women pursuing undergraduate or master’s degrees in business or business-related fields. The scholarship aimed to encourage women to enter and advance in business, helping to

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: High (103 min)
4

DECA Student Scholarships

DECA Student Scholarships support high school and college members who are actively involved in DECA and plan to pursue business, marketing, finance, hospitality, entrepreneurship, or related fields. Funded by a variety of corporate partners, foundations, and industry sponsors, these scholarships

Award: Varies Deadline: January Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)
5

NSHSS Business and Public Policy Scholarship

The NSHSS Foundation Business & Public Policy Scholarship is awarded by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) to support students pursuing degrees in business, finance/economics, or public policy. This scholarship is open to high school students of all

Award: $1,000 Deadline: May Est. Application Time: High (128 min)
6

Ann Kleist Scholarship

The Ann Kleist Scholarship honors the long-time contributions of Ann Kleist, former vice president and CFO of the Graduate School of Banking (GSB). Retiring in 2012 after 37 years of service to GSB, this scholarship was created to recognize her

Award: $1,500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (33 min)
7

Prochnow Educational Foundation Scholarship

The Prochnow Educational Foundation, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA), offers this scholarship to support bankers pursuing advanced education at the Graduate School of Banking (GSB) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The scholarship is valued at $1,500 per

Award: $1,500 Deadline: April Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
8

Goldman Sachs Scholarship for Excellence

The Goldman Sachs Scholarship for Excellence is designed to attract Black, Hispanic, and Native American students to the firm's summer internship program. Recipients receive a paid summer internship offer at Goldman Sachs, with up to $15,000 awarded upon starting the

Award: $15,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (58 min)
9

IMA Graduate Scholarship

The IMA Graduate Scholarship is designed to support women who are pursuing a graduate-level degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Sponsored by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), this scholarship aims to assist students who are interested in

Award: $1,500 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)
10

EFWA Graduate Scholarship

The EFWA Graduate Scholarship is designed for women who are pursuing a master's degree in accounting or a related field. This scholarship aims to assist graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to advancing in the

Award: $1,500 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)
11

IMA Undergraduate Scholarship

The IMA Undergraduate Scholarship is designed to support undergraduate students pursuing a degree in accounting or a related field, with a focus on those who demonstrate financial need and a strong commitment to the profession. The scholarship is sponsored by

Award: $2,000 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)
12

AICPA Scholarship for Future CPAs

The AICPA Scholarship for Future CPAs provides critical financial support for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The scholarship is designed to alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by students who are

Award: $10,000 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)

Finance scholarships help students reduce the cost of earning degrees in finance, economics, accounting, financial planning, investment management, corporate finance, and fintech. Because many finance careers require internships, networking, certifications, and graduate education, minimizing student debt can dramatically increase long-term return on investment.

Scholarships are offered by universities, professional organizations, regulatory foundations, financial institutions, and major corporations seeking to invest in the next generation of ethical and innovative financial leaders.

Whether your goal is to work in investment banking, asset management, corporate treasury, public finance, risk analysis, compliance, or wealth advising, finance scholarships can make your academic journey more affordable and strategically advantageous.

Why Finance Scholarships Matter

  • Many competitive finance internships are unpaid or located in high-cost cities.
  • Professional certifications (CFA, CPA, CFP, FRM) require costly exam fees and prep materials.
  • MBA and Master of Finance programs often exceed six figures in total cost.
  • Reducing undergraduate debt increases flexibility in choosing early-career roles.

CollegeWhale Tip: In scholarship essays, explain how reducing debt allows you to pursue internships, certifications, or public-interest finance roles that might otherwise be financially unrealistic.

CFA Institute Access Scholarship

The CFA Institute Access Scholarship supports candidates pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, one of the most respected global credentials in investment management and financial analysis.

  • Applicants must be planning to register for the CFA Level I exam.
  • Selection considers financial need and professional integrity.
  • Recipients receive substantial reductions in enrollment and exam registration fees.

This scholarship lowers the barrier to entry for careers in portfolio management, equity research, institutional investing, and private wealth management.

Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship (ACFE)

Offered by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, this scholarship supports students pursuing careers in fraud examination, forensic accounting, auditing, and compliance.

  • Open to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in finance, accounting, or criminal justice.
  • Award amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000.
  • Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement and ethical leadership.

CollegeWhale Tip: If you have taken coursework in fraud analytics, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, or data analytics, emphasize it. Specialized coursework can differentiate you from general finance applicants.

Scholarships for Women in Finance

Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership across investment banking, asset management, and corporate finance. Several scholarships aim to increase representation and leadership opportunities.

  • Forté Foundation Scholarship: Supports women pursuing undergraduate or MBA business degrees.
  • Women in Public Finance Scholarship: Recognizes students interested in municipal finance and public-sector budgeting.

These programs frequently provide mentorship, professional networking access, and leadership development in addition to financial awards.

FINRA Investor Education Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship supports students focused on investor protection, ethical finance, financial literacy, and regulatory policy.

  • Open to students enrolled in accredited finance or business programs.
  • Preference for students interested in financial regulation, risk management, or consumer protection.
  • Typical awards range from $2,000 to $5,000.

CollegeWhale Tip: If you are interested in regulatory agencies, public finance, or compliance careers, scholarships tied to investor protection can align closely with your long-term goals.

Corporate Finance Scholarships

Major financial institutions sponsor scholarships to identify and recruit top-performing students early in their academic careers.

  • Morgan Stanley Scholarship for Excellence: Awards up to $15,000 and includes mentorship and internship pathways.
  • Goldman Sachs Scholarship for Excellence: Recognizes strong academic performance and leadership.
  • JPMorgan Chase Launching Leaders Scholarship: Supports high-achieving underrepresented students.
  • Bank of America Merrill Lynch Scholarship: Focused on investment banking and wealth management pathways.

Corporate scholarships often provide early recruitment advantages, networking access, and internship opportunities.

CollegeWhale Tip: Corporate programs often evaluate leadership, initiative, and impact as heavily as GPA. Include measurable achievements such as investment club performance, entrepreneurship projects, or case competition placements.

High School Scholarships for Future Finance Majors

High school seniors planning to major in finance, economics, or business can apply for scholarships recognizing early academic promise and leadership.

  • Junior Achievement Scholarship: Honors entrepreneurship and financial literacy achievement.
  • National Business Education Association Scholarship: Supports future business and finance majors with strong academic records.

Participation in DECA, FBLA, student investment clubs, or entrepreneurship competitions can significantly strengthen applications.

University-Specific Scholarships for Finance Majors

Many business schools offer internal scholarships specifically for finance majors.

  • University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School: Merit-based awards for finance and economics students.
  • New York University – Stern School of Business: Need-based and merit-based scholarship options.
  • University of Chicago – Booth School of Business: Fellowships for finance and quantitative analysis students.

CollegeWhale Tip: Department-level scholarships often receive fewer applicants than university-wide awards. Always check your finance department directly.

Comparison Table: Major Finance Scholarships

Scholarship Career Focus Award Range Academic Level Additional Benefits
CFA Institute Access Investment Management Exam fee reduction Undergraduate/Graduate Professional certification pathway
Ritchie-Jennings (ACFE) Fraud & Compliance $1,000 – $10,000 Undergraduate/Graduate Industry recognition
Morgan Stanley Investment Banking Up to $15,000 Sophomore/Junior Mentorship & internship pipeline
Forté Foundation Women in Business Varies Undergraduate/MBA Leadership network
FINRA Foundation Regulation & Investor Protection $2,000 – $5,000 Undergraduate/Graduate Policy-focused career alignment

How to Apply for Finance Scholarships

  • Complete the FAFSA: Many scholarships require proof of financial need.
  • Write a Career-Focused Essay: Clearly outline your professional goals in finance.
  • Highlight Leadership Experience: Include internships, case competitions, student investment funds, or entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Secure Strong Recommendations: Professors in finance, accounting, or economics carry strong credibility.
  • Track Deadlines Carefully: Use a spreadsheet or checklist to manage multiple applications.

CollegeWhale Tip: Apply across professional, corporate, and university scholarships simultaneously. Many finance students focus only on merit awards and miss industry-sponsored funding opportunities.

Data & content oversight by Lauren Nichols

Co-Founder of CollegeWhale, specializing in scholarship data systems and financial aid research.