Illinois CPA Society Herman J. Neal Scholarship Program

This scholarship program supports African-American students in their pursuit of an accounting education and the CPA designation. This year, the Herman J. Neal Scholarship program will provide scholarships of up to $4,000 each to African-American accounting students who show significant potential to become CPAs and demonstrate achievement as well as financial need. These scholarships support students with their junior or senior year, or with the additional year, (30 semester) hours needed to sit for the CPA Exam which can include graduate studies.

Scholarships cover the costs of tuition and fees and can include up to $500 in expenses for books and required classroom materials. They do not cover costs of CPA Exam review courses.

This scholarship program was established in honor of the deceased Dr. Herman J. Neal, a distinguished Chicago physician, because of his strong beliefs in opening doors to opportunity, and in the value of education and scholarship for African-Americans.

Eligibility:
Qualifying students will be enrolled in an Illinois college or university as a junior, senior or graduate student by 8/31/2010, with an accounting curriculum planned that reflects the intention to sit for the CPA Exam. In addition, applicants should:

• Be an African-American, U.S. citizen permanently residing in Illinois and enrolled in an Illinois college or university.
• Have a 3.0 / 4.0 GPA or equivalent.
• Plan to sit for the CPA Examination in Illinois and demonstrate a course of study that reflects this goal.

If students receive a full-tuition waiver or reimbursement for tuition, they are not eligible for this scholarship. However, the Society highly encourages students to apply if unsure of other forms of support at the time of their application.