Ohio CPA Foundation College Scholarship Program
Offered by The Ohio CPA Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Ohio CPA Foundation, the charitable arm of The Ohio Society of CPAs, runs a single application that covers three scholarship pools: the merit-based Statewide College Scholarships, the Clarke Price Accounting Scholarship honoring the society's retired president and CEO, and the Brockman Family Scholarship. All are one-time awards starting at $2,000, paid directly to the recipient's school in July for fall tuition and fees.
The baseline requirements are the same across all three: applicants must attend an HLC- or AACSB-accredited college or university in Ohio, have completed at least 30 semester hours including six in accounting, be enrolled in fall 2027 as part of a plan to reach the 120 semester hours required to sit for the CPA exam, hold a GPA of 2.5 or better, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Applicants must also be student affiliate members of The Ohio Society of CPAs — membership is free and can be completed online, so it is a formality rather than a barrier.
Each pool has its own emphasis. The Statewide awards encourage community college students and students from underrepresented ethnic, racial, or cultural groups to apply; the Clarke Price Scholarship looks for leadership, innovation, and commitment, with non-traditional students and veterans encouraged; and the Brockman Family Scholarship targets first-generation students, veterans, community college starters, students from rural communities, and those who took a non-traditional path to college. Awards are non-renewable, but past recipients may reapply in later years if they still qualify.
Eligibility
- Attending an HLC- and/or AACSB-accredited college or university in Ohio
- At least 30 semester hours of college credit completed, including 6+ semester hours in accounting
- Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Fall 2027, working toward the 120 semester hours required for the CPA exam
- GPA of 2.5 or better
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Free student affiliate membership in The Ohio Society of CPAs (join online at no cost)
How To Apply
- Join The Ohio Society of CPAs as a free student affiliate member, then complete the single online application linked from the Foundation's scholarship page by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. One application covers the Statewide College Scholarships, the Clarke Price Accounting Scholarship, and the Brockman Family Scholarship; awards are paid to your school in July for fall semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a member of The Ohio Society of CPAs?
Yes, but student affiliate membership is free and can be completed online, so it adds no cost — just join before or while applying.
Is the scholarship renewable?
No. All awards are one-time scholarships starting at $2,000. However, recipients may apply again in subsequent years as long as they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
Can community college students apply?
Yes. Students at Ohio community colleges are explicitly encouraged to apply, as long as they have completed 30 semester hours including six in accounting and are on a path toward the 120 hours required for the CPA exam.