10 Scholarships for Business Students
Pursuing a career in business may lead students to explore financial assistance options, including business scholarships. These financial awards can help students access an education that may otherwise be out of reach due to competing financial responsibilities or a lack of personal finances.
Explore the college scholarships available to help business students achieve their academic and professional goals.
What Scholarships Are Available?
1. ACFE® Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship supports students interested in pursuing a career in fraud examination or related fields. Awards range from $2,000 to $10,000. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a program that focuses on accounting, business administration, finance, criminal justice, or a similar field.
2. AICPA® Foundation Scholarship for Future CPAs
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA®) Foundation Scholarship for Future CPAs provides numerous $5,000 to $10,000 scholarships each year. Applicants must be AICPA® members — free for students — demonstrate financial need, and plan to pursue a CPA license. They must also meet academic benchmarks, including 30 semester hours of college coursework with at least six semester hours in accounting, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and enrollment in an accredited accounting or business program. Part-time students are eligible to apply if they:
- Are currently employed and can provide a letter verifying employment
- Are enrolled for at least 6 semester hours and can provide a letter of recommendation from an accounting professor
3. AICPA® Foundation Two-Year Transfer Scholarship
The AICPA® Foundation Two-Year Transfer Scholarship provides $5,000 to students planning to transfer from a 2-year college to a 4-year institution to complete their degree in accounting or an accounting-related field. Applicants must be an AICPA® member, enrolled full–time, demonstrate financial need, and plan to pursue a CPA license. AICPA® membership is free for students.
4. Stuart Cameron & Margaret McLeod Memorial Scholarship (SCMS)
Offered by the Stuart Cameron McLeod Society, the Stuart Cameron & Margaret McLeod Memorial Scholarship gives a $5,000 award split between fall and spring semesters. Additional benefits include free registration for the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA®) conferences and up to $1,000 in travel reimbursement.
5. GreenPal Business Scholarship
The GreenPal Business Scholarship offers a $2,000 award to students who own and operate their own small businesses or have established a business plan to start a business while in college. Applicants must be pursuing an education in business, economics, or finance and demonstrate entrepreneurial drive. Specific academic eligibility includes a 3.5 GPA and enrollment in an accredited U.S. college.
6. The Steven Skinner Endowed Scholarship Fund
Established by the National Black MBA® Association, Inc., the Steven Skinner Endowed Scholarship Fund offers a $5,000 award to at least one MBA student. Applicants must be members of the NBMBAA. Other eligibility requirements include being a first-generation MBA or graduate student working on a business-focused degree, having at least 2 years of work experience and a 3.0 GPA.
7. NSA Foundation Scholarships
The National Speakers Association Foundation offers up to six $5,000 scholarships annually to full-time students — as defined by the attending college or university. Applicants must be juniors or graduate students at an accredited 4-year college or university and possess demonstrated ability in public speaking.
8. SILA Post-Secondary College Scholarship
The Securities and Insurance Licensing Association (SILA) Foundation awards 10 scholarships of $2,000 to students planning careers in the insurance or securities industry. Applicants must be enrolled in a college or university program in one of several areas of study and have a 3.0 GPA.
9. Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award
The Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award recognizes women aged 18–35 who demonstrate exceptional leadership in a business-related field, entrepreneurial spirit, ethical conduct, and a significant contribution to addressing global or local issues affecting women and girls or climate justice. Ten awards of $10,000 are handed out in addition to a 1-year Zonta International membership.
10. The LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship
The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF) Scholarship offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in advertising, marketing, or public relations. To be eligible, undergraduate students must be enrolled at a 4-year accredited college in the U.S., carry at least 12 units per semester/quarter, maintain a 3.0 GPA, attend TLF’s scholarship activity, and commit to 1 year of contact with TLF for professional guidance and academic support. Graduate and PhD students must be enrolled at a 4-year accredited college in the U.S., carry 9 or more units per semester/quarter, have a 3.2 GPA, and have at least two semesters left to complete their graduate programs.
How to Apply
While each scholarship amount varies, ranging from covering the entire cost of tuition to providing a smaller, one-time award, every scholarship helps reduce the cost of education.
The Federal Student Aid Office recommends the following steps before and during the application process:
- Research all opportunities, and ensure scholarships are legitimate.
- Understand and verify eligibility requirements.
- Prepare the required documentation.
- Track deadlines.
Pursue a Business Degree at Purdue Global
Purdue Global offers online business degree programs that allow you to balance life, work, and education with flexibility and ease.
Request more information to get started today.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.