NJCPA College Scholarship
Offered by New Jersey Society of CPAs Scholarship Fund
About This Scholarship
The New Jersey Society of CPAs has operated one of the most generous state-level accounting scholarship funds in the country, and its college scholarship program targets students who are already committed to the accounting track at a New Jersey college or university. Awards are tiered by class year: sophomores (including second-year community college students) receive $2,000, while juniors, seniors, and seniors entering an accounting-related graduate program receive $7,500 for the year.
Eligibility is tied to both residency and academic progress. Applicants must be New Jersey residents attending a New Jersey school, hold at least a 3.2 overall GPA through the fall 2026 semester, and be pursuing an accounting major or concentration with minimum credit thresholds met by spring 2027. Students graduating before December 2027 are not eligible, since the fund wants recipients who will still be enrolled during the award year.
The selection process is more involved than most state society scholarships. Beyond the online application, transcript, and resume, candidates write a 450-500 word essay on what interests them about accounting and their motivation to pursue the CPA credential, and finalists must sit for a required virtual interview (scheduled for January 31, 2027 in this cycle). Winners are notified in early March.
Eligibility
- New Jersey resident attending a New Jersey college or university
- Sophomore, junior, or senior (or second-year community college student, or senior entering an accounting-related graduate program)
- Accounting major or concentration with minimum credit requirements met by Spring 2027
- Minimum 3.2 overall GPA through the Fall 2026 semester
- Graduation date of December 2027 or later
How To Apply
- Complete the online application at njcpa.org and submit a 450-500 word essay on your motivation to pursue a CPA career, an official transcript, and a resume by January 8, 2027. Selected finalists must participate in a virtual interview on January 31, 2027; winners are notified in early March 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the NJCPA College Scholarship worth?
Awards are tiered by class year: sophomores and second-year community college students receive $2,000, while juniors, seniors, and seniors entering an accounting-related graduate program receive $7,500. Scholarships are one-year awards.
Do I have to be an accounting major to apply?
Yes. Applicants must be pursuing an accounting major or concentration at a New Jersey college or university, with minimum accounting credit thresholds met by the spring 2027 semester, and must intend to pursue the CPA credential.
Is there an interview?
Yes. Finalists are required to participate in a virtual interview, scheduled for January 31, 2027 in this cycle. Winners are notified in early March 2027.