CFA Institute Access Scholarship Program for International Students 

If you need funds to take care of your tuition and learning materials, the CFA Institute Access Scholarship Program for International Students is now available.

The CFA Institute Access Scholarship Program is designed to make CFA Program more available to individuals who may not be able to afford the full program fees.

Most importantly, the Access Scholarship Program is part of the CFA Institute’s commitment to promoting ethical and professional standards in the investment industry by making the CFA program more accessible to a wider range of individuals.

About CFA Institute Access Scholarship Program

The CFA Institute Access Scholarship Program is designed to make the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program more accessible to individuals who may not have the financial means to pursue the designation independently.

The program provides limited scholarships to cover each CFA program level’s enrollment and exam registration fees.

To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must meet certain criteria, including demonstrating financial need, being a first-time CFA exam taker, and being unable to afford the full program fees.

The scholarship covers the one-time enrollment fee required to register for the CFA program and the registration fee for each exam level. Scholarship recipients also receive a free eBook version of the CFA curriculum.

Applications for the scholarship are typically due in September for the December exam and in March for the June exam. The CFA Institute reviews applications and notifies recipients of their status several months before the exam date.

We’ve outlined everything you need to know about the Access Scholarship. Find out if you are eligible, what it takes to apply when the application ends, and how much you may be awarded. 

Level/Field of Study

Access awards can be used for any Program level (I, II, or III).

Field(s): any of the courses offered by the Institute.

Eligible Nationality For The CFA Institute Access Scholarship Program

international students.

Scholarship Worth

Award No:  3,000 Access Scholarships

Scholarship Duration: Awards are for the exam year they are granted. No deferrals are available.

The scholarship covers: The scholarship covers the one-time CFA Program enrollment fee (if applicable) and reduces the exam registration fee (includes access to the curriculum eBook) to US$250.

Eligibility for CFA Access Scholarships

• CFA Access Scholarships candidates may be either new or existing candidates in the CFA Program.
• There is no minimum or maximum income or asset level for Scholarship Candidates. However, Applicants are not eligible if their current employer provides financial assistance for their participation in the CFA program.
• Candidates can only receive one access grant per year. In addition, a candidate can only receive one prize per exam. Therefore, the remaining candidates will be canceled if a candidate requests an access and awareness grant and receives a prize.
• Nominations will be checked by the CFA Institute and/or a member firm of the CFA Institute in the candidate’s geographic area based on several factors, including financial requirements; the academic, professional, or other achievements of the candidate; obstacles overcome by the candidate; contributions to the local community; the candidate’s interest in chasing the CFA charter; and other personal characteristics that show that the person is a good candidate to receive an access grant and become a CFA charter holder.
• The companies will have access to all the data presented in the application. In addition, companies can choose to request extra information from candidates or make reference checks or personal interviews.

Applicants must meet all CFA Program enrollment requirements.

Selection Process for CFA Institute Access Scholarship Program for International Students

The selection process for the CFA Institute Access Scholarship Program for International Students is highly competitive and involves multiple stages.

Basically, the selection committee evaluates the applications based on the following criteria:

1. Academic qualifications: The committee considers the academic record of the applicant, including their undergraduate or graduate degree, academic awards, and academic achievements.
2. Professional background: The committee reviews the applicant’s work experience, including their current job, relevant internships, and other professional experiences.
3. Financial need: The committee evaluates the applicant’s financial situation and determines their ability to pay for the CFA program without the scholarship.
4. Diversity and inclusion: The committee also considers the applicant’s unique background, experiences, and perspectives to promote diversity and inclusion in the finance industry.

The selection process involves the following steps:

1. Application review: The selection committee reviews all the submitted applications and evaluates each applicant based on the eligibility criteria.
2. Shortlisting: The committee shortlists the most promising applicants based on their academic and professional qualifications, financial need, and diversity and inclusion factors.
3. Interview: Shortlisted applicants are invited for an interview, which may be conducted in person or virtually. The interview assesses the applicant’s motivation for pursuing the CFA program and their future career goals.
4. Final selection: Based on the application materials, interview performance, and other factors, the selection committee decides on the scholarship recipients. The committee may also consider the available funds for the scholarship program.

The CFA Institute Access Scholarship Program for International Students is highly competitive, and the selection process is rigorous.

Therefore, applicants must prepare thoroughly and showcase their academic and professional achievements, financial need, and unique experiences and perspectives to increase their chances of receiving the scholarship.

More Information

All CFA registration fees are non-refundable. Suppose candidates have applied for the CFA Access Scholarship Register while their application is pending for the same calendar year.

In that case, they will have demonstrated their ability to pay for the CFA exam and their application for a scholarship.

Suppose you want to start studying for your exam before registering (because you must wait for the scholarship notification in December). In that case, you can buy the digital curriculum and study tools in advance.

Note that there is no refund for the program. We include the cost of the digital curriculum, the CFA study tools, and the exam fees.

For Level I scholarship applicants:

Because your program is part of the learning ecosystem, you can not buy a digital version of the CFA Institute.

You can buy the digital / printed resume from an external provider, but you will not receive credit for your purchase when you sign up for the exam.

For Level II and Level III scholarship applicants:

You can buy the digital program and the study tools before registering. To do this, contact us by phone and provide your credit card details. Your registration fee will take care of the cost of this purchase.

For all scholarship applicants:

A printed version of the curriculum can be purchased separately. The printed program is not included in the registration fee; therefore, we do not grant credits to candidates who purchase the printed program before enrollment for the exam.

Scholarship applicants are also responsible for shipping costs, import duties, and taxes applicable to purchasing the printed curriculum.

How To Apply

Applications are online. 

Access Scholarship Official Rules (PDF)

Application Deadline 

The Access Scholarship application for the 2024 exams is now available. Read the scholarship rules and begin your application by following the links below. The application is open from 5th February 2024.

Scholarship Applications are due on 15 September 2024.

When Awarded: Scholarships are awarded by 1 December.

Application forms and guidelines can be downloaded from the official website.

For more Information about  CFA Access Scholarships

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