IMA Memorial Education Fund Scholarships
Offered by Institute of Management Accountants
About This Scholarship
The Institute of Management Accountants, the professional association behind the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) credential, funds the Memorial Education Fund scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students headed toward careers in management accounting, financial management, or related information technology roles. MEF awards have typically run from $1,000 to $2,500, and every MEF applicant is automatically considered for the program's marquee award, the $5,000 Stuart Cameron and Margaret McLeod Memorial Scholarship, which also includes complimentary registration for IMA's Annual Conference and Student Leadership Conference.
The applicant pool is naturally limited in a way that works in your favor. You must be an IMA student member studying at a regionally accredited institution in the United States or Puerto Rico, carry at least a 3.0 GPA, and be pursuing a management accounting or financial management career, which screens out the enormous general-scholarship crowd. Students who have already won an MEF scholarship cannot win a second one, so each year's awards go to a fresh set of recipients.
For accounting majors who plan to sit for the CMA exam, the scholarship pairs well with IMA's separate CMA Scholarship program, which covers exam fees for nominated students. Apply through the student scholarships page on IMA's SCMS site before the March 15, 2027 deadline.
Eligibility
- Current IMA student member (membership number required on the application)
- Enrolled at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or Puerto Rico
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Pursuing a career in management accounting, financial management, or related information technology
- Previous IMA MEF scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply again
How To Apply
- Join IMA as a student member if you have not already, and note your membership number
- Open the online application linked from IMA's student scholarships page
- Complete the application with your transcript, career-goals statement, and membership details
- Submit by March 15, 2027; MEF applicants are automatically considered for the $5,000 SCMS award
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be an IMA member to apply?
Yes. You must be a current IMA student member and include your membership number on the application. Student membership is a paid tier, so factor that modest cost into your decision.
What is the Stuart Cameron and Margaret McLeod Memorial Scholarship?
It is the program's top award, worth $5,000 plus complimentary registration for IMA's Annual Conference and Student Leadership Conference. Everyone who applies for an MEF scholarship is automatically considered for it.
Can I win more than once?
No. Students who have previously received an IMA MEF scholarship are not eligible for another one.