Student Scholarships

Don’t let cost stand in the way of earning your accounting degree. A variety of academic scholarships range from $1,000 - $4,000. Students submit one application to apply for any or all for which the student is eligible.

Requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident
• Be enrolled in an Illinois college or university
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
• Plan to sit for the CPA exam in Illinois within three years of application date
  

Illinois CPA Society Accounting Scholarships for seniors or graduate students.
Herman J. Neal Accounting Scholarships for Black/African American juniors, seniors, or graduate students.
James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarships for seniors or graduate students.
Women’s Executive Committee Advancing Women in Accounting Scholarships for female seniors or graduate students.

Illinois CPA Society Community College Scholarships support outstanding community college students in Illinois who are committed to pursuing a career in accounting. These scholarships recognize first-year community college students who will be entering their second year in the 2026-27 academic year and plan to transfer to a four-year university after completing their associate’s degree in accounting. Recipients are selected based on their academic achievements, leadership qualities, and financial need.

Requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident
• Be enrolled in an Illinois community college
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
• Plan to transfer to a four-year university to study accounting after completing an associate's degree

Don’t let cost stand in the way of earning your CPA credential. These awards reimburse candidates $1,000 to cover exam-related fees. This award accepts applications twice per year with deadlines on January 30 and June 30. 

Requirements:
Applicants must...

• Intend to earn CPA license in Illinois within the next year
• Demonstrate financial need 
• Have not received a CPA Exam Award previously
• Have out-of-pocket exam costs of at least $1,000
• Not have completed all four parts of the exam but may apply with a portion of the exam completed.

APPLY NOW!

The Illinois CPA Society offers academic scholarships of up to $2,000 to support high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a degree in accounting at an Illinois college or university. This scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership potential, and financial need. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and strongly encourage those who are historically underrepresented in the accounting profession, whether through racial or ethnic background, being a first-generation college student, or facing other systemic barriers, to apply.

Requirements: 

• U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident
• High school senior enrolling in an Illinois college or university in Fall 2026
• Have a high school GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent
• Plan to major in accounting (completion of a high school accounting course is preferred
  

This award-winning program equips college students for success in accounting internships by providing access to training, resources, and mentors. At the end of the program, employers interview participants for a variety of paid internships.

The program expands preparedness and access to internships for students who are historically underrepresented, whether through racial/ethnic background, being a first-generation college student, or having faced other systemic barriers. Priority consideration is given to applicants currently pursuing an undergraduate degree who have maintained a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher, and/or who identify as part of the program’s priority populations.

Requirements:

• Currently or interested in majoring in accounting
• Have not already completed or committed to an internship with a participating employer*
• Available to participate in the virtual program from January 6-8, 2026
• Illinois resident or enrolled in a college in Illinois
• U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident

*Participating employers include Abbott, Baker Tilly, Crowe, EY, Forvis Mazars, Grant Thornton, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Miller Cooper, Northern Trust Corporation, PwC, Topel Forman, and Wipfli.

LEARN MORE

Arthur R. Wyatt Accounting Scholarship
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Arthur R. Wyatt, Adjunct Professor of Accountancy, established this scholarship program for accounting students at the University of Illinois. This program provides scholarship support to students who will begin their fifth year of education in the upcoming academic year. Applicants should demonstrate a dedication to becoming a CPA, as well as financial need.

For more information, contact the U of I Department of Accountancy at 217.333.0857 or [email protected].

Needles/Snow/Wish Success Through Scholarship
DePaul University

Belverd E. Needles Jr., William B. Snow and Ernest R. Wish, in partnership with Ledger & Quill and DePaul University, established this scholarship program for accounting students at DePaul University. This program provides scholarships to students who are enrolled as intended accounting majors entering their junior year, or declared accounting majors entering their senior year. Applicants should demonstrate a dedication to becoming a CPA, as well as financial need.

For more information, contact the DePaul School of Accountancy at 312.362.8770 or [email protected].

Kenneth J. and Jacqueline M. Hull Accounting Scholarship
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Kenneth J. Hull, former president and CEO of Follett Corporation, established this scholarship program for accounting students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. This program provides scholarships to students, freshmen through seniors, interested in joining the accounting profession.

For more information, contact the SIU School of Accountancy at 618.453.2289.