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The AICPA John L. Carey Scholarship is part of the AICPA Legacy Scholarships. Students interested in being considered for more than one AICPA Legacy Scholarship need to complete only one application — applicants will be evaluated for all awards for which they are eligible in the program. All applications must be completed and submitted by the deadline to be considered.

The award provides financial assistance to liberal arts and non-business degree holders who are pursuing both graduate studies in accounting and the CPA licensure. These awards are intended to encourage students with little or no previous accounting education to consider professional accounting careers.

Scholarship payments are sent directly to the student’s financial aid office to be used towards payment of tuition and expenses directly related to obtaining a degree. This award is non-renewable and past recipients may not re-apply.

The John L. Carey Scholarship was established by members of the accounting profession to honor John Carey upon his retirement from the AICPA in 1969. During his 40-year tenure at the AICPA, Mr. Carey served as administrative vice president; executive director; and as editor and publisher of the Journal of Accountancy. Mr. Carey dedicated his entire career to serving the accounting profession and made it a priority to encourage outstanding students to become CPAs.

An eligible applicant must be/have:

• Obtained a liberal arts or other non-business undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States prior to enrolling in a graduate accounting program.
• Not earned more than 12 credits in accounting during his/her undergraduate program.
• Not actively participating in a graduate accounting program.
• Planning to pursue a graduate-level degree in accounting or an accounting-related major beginning in fall of the 2024-25 academic year. (“Accounting-related” shall be as determined by Sponsor at Sponsor’s sole discretion.) This program will enable a student to sit for the CPA exam.
• Planning to pursue the CPA licensure but not presently be a CPA.
• Enrolled as a full-time graduate-level student (9 semester hours or equivalent) for the full 2024-25 academic year. (Note: an exception may be granted if you plan to participate in an internship program or if you are graduating after the conclusion of the fall 2024 semester.)
• An AICPA Student Affiliate member (or have submitted a new member application). Apply online at no cost: www.thiswaytocpa.com/join-aicpa.
• A U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder).
• Some financial need (i.e., not already be receiving a full or partial scholarship(s) that covers or exceeds one’s educational expenses).
• Enrolled in a business and/or accounting program that is regionally, nationally or internationally accredited for the full 2024-25 academic year. The program must be accepted by the state board of accountancy as meeting the educational requirements necessary for CPA licensure in the state you intend to become licensed OR in the state where your program is located.
  • Please visit ThisWayToCPA’s State & Territory Requirements or contact your state board of accountancy to confirm if your program meets the educational requirements necessary for CPA licensure.
• Willingness to remain engaged with the AICPA and to provide feedback for the development of this and other programs by the Association.

Note: The Association staff and their family members are not eligible to receive this scholarship.