NJCPA High School Scholarship
Offered by New Jersey Society of CPAs Scholarship Fund
About This Scholarship
The NJCPA Scholarship Fund reaches all the way down to high school seniors, awarding $1,500 one-year scholarships to college-bound New Jersey students who plan to major in accounting. It is one of the few state CPA society programs that recruits students into the profession before they ever set foot on a college campus, and winners also receive NJCPA mentorship during their college years — a pipeline benefit that can matter as much as the check.
Applicants must be New Jersey residents attending a public, parochial, private, or home school in the state, plan to enroll in a U.S. college or university the following fall with an accounting major of at least 24 credits, and be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The academic bar can be cleared three ways: a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, an SAT score of at least 1260, or an ACT composite of 26 or higher.
The application centers on a 450-500 word essay about what inspired the student to choose accounting, judged on originality, commitment to the CPA path, grammar, and organization — and the society explicitly warns that points will be deducted if AI is used to write it. A guidance counselor form and test scores round out the file, and finalists interview virtually in mid-January.
Eligibility
- College-bound high school senior planning to major in accounting (minimum 24 credits) at a U.S. college or university
- New Jersey resident attending a NJ public, parochial/private, or home school
- Cumulative GPA of 3.2+, OR SAT score of 1260+, OR ACT composite of 26+
- U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
How To Apply
- Complete the online application and submit a 450-500 word essay on your inspiration to pursue accounting by December 7, 2026. Have your guidance counselor submit the counselor form and provide your SAT or ACT scores (screenshots accepted). Finalists participate in a virtual interview on January 16, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
What test scores or GPA do I need?
You need to meet just one of three benchmarks: a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, an SAT score of at least 1260, or an ACT composite score of 26 or higher.
Can I use AI to write the essay?
No. The NJCPA states that points will be deducted if AI is used for essay content. The 450-500 word essay is judged on originality, commitment to becoming a CPA, grammar, and organization.
What do winners get besides the money?
Beyond the $1,500 one-year scholarship, winners receive NJCPA mentorship throughout their college years, connecting them with practicing CPAs in New Jersey.