AICPA Foundation CPA Exam Grant
Offered by AICPA Foundation
About This Scholarship
The CPA exam is one of the hidden costs of entering the accounting profession — exam section fees and review courses can add thousands of dollars after a student has already paid for 120 to 150 credit hours of coursework. The AICPA Foundation's CPA Exam Grant attacks that last-mile cost directly, reimbursing up to $1,000 in exam fees and CPA exam preparatory courses for 80 recipients each cycle.
The grant is aimed at candidates in the gap between graduation and licensure. Applicants must be actively pursuing the CPA (but not yet certified), have at least one exam part remaining, and hold a Notice to Schedule for at least one section — proof that they are genuinely in the exam pipeline, not just considering it. Financial need is central to selection, and candidates already holding full or partial scholarships that cover exam costs are excluded. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required.
The application runs through the AICPA's This Way to CPA platform and requires no essay: candidates submit their Notice to Schedule and exam fee receipt, prep course receipts if claiming those, transcripts showing 120-150 credit hours, and a resume. Registration on ThisWayToCPA.com is free. The current cycle opened June 1, 2026 and closes September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
Eligibility
- Pursuing CPA certification but not yet a CPA, with at least one exam part remaining
- Holds a Notice to Schedule for at least one CPA exam section
- Demonstrated financial need; not receiving full or partial scholarships that cover exam costs
- Academic transcripts showing 120-150 credit hours
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
How To Apply
- Register for a free account on ThisWayToCPA.com, sign in and click "Apply Here" on the CPA Exam Grant page, pass the short eligibility quiz, then submit the application through the AICPA Foundation Awards portal with your Notice to Schedule, exam fee receipt, any prep course receipts, transcripts, and resume — by September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grant cover?
Up to $1,000 as reimbursement for CPA exam section fees and CPA exam preparatory courses. It is not a tuition scholarship — it targets the cost of actually sitting for the exam.
Can I apply while still in school?
You need transcripts showing 120-150 credit hours and a Notice to Schedule for at least one exam section, so the grant fits candidates who have completed (or nearly completed) the education requirement and are actively scheduled to test.
How many grants are awarded?
The AICPA Foundation selects 80 recipients per cycle. Selection emphasizes financial need, and candidates whose exam costs are already covered by other scholarships are ineligible.