Master of Science in Accounting Funding

Master OF SCIENCE in Accounting Funding

There are several sources available that can help master's students in accounting meet their educational funding needs. Learn more by following a link below or scrolling down for all information:

Financial Aid

Many students choose to take out a loan to pay for all or part of the costs associated with attending the Master in Accounting program.

Loan programs available to students include:

  • Federally sponsored loans – for U.S. citizens only
  • Alternative private loans – for U.S. and international students

All offer low-interest loans repayable upon completion of your degree.

Eligibility for loans and scholarships is determined by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Many funds are limited, so those students who have their FAFSA completed by March 1 each academic year receive priority processing.

Applicants must have been admitted to the MAcc program before The University of Arizona Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) will make financial aid awards. Graduate students must be enrolled at least halftime in order to receive federal loans.

Dhaliwal-Reidy School of Accountancy Scholarship

The Dhaliwal-Reidy School of Accountancy offers small scholarships for on-campus graduate students on a limited basis.  The scholarships are only available for students registered for 6 or more units during a semester.  Financial need must be shown on the financial aid documents referenced below for a student to be eligible for this scholarship. Application submission deadlines are August 1 (fall semester) and January 23 (spring semester). Application instructions and application can be found below.

Step 1: Submit FAFSA (domestic students) or Financial Aid for International Students form (international students)

  • Domestic students: Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), if you have not already done so for this academic year. You can find additional information about the FAFSA on the University of Arizona Financial Aid website. 
    • As a graduate student, do not include your parent’s financial information. Only include your own.
    • If you do not have a properly filed FAFSA which shows unmet financial need, then you will not qualify for this scholarship.
  • International students: Complete the Financial Aid Calculation for International Students form (email GradAcctPrograms@email.arizona.edu to request the form)
    • As a graduate student, do not include your parent’s financial information. Only include your own.
    • If you do not have a properly filed Financial Aid Calculation for International Students form which shows unmet financial need, then you will not qualify for this scholarship.
    • Email the signed document to GradAcctPrograms@email.arizona.edu.

Step 2: Submit Expected Family Contribution calculation (international students ONLY)

  • International students: Complete the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) online calculator.
    • As a graduate student, do not include your parent’s financial information. Only include your own.
    • International students should use ARIZONA as their state of residence.
    • Take screen clips of all of your answers and your final EFC calculations (both federal and institutional), copy them into a Word document and send to GradAcctPrograms@email.arizona.edu.

Step 3: Submit the application form below


Competitive, merit-based scholarships available for early applicants. Awards are available based on date of application and strength of incoming metrics such as GPA, work experience, relevance and professionalism of application materials such as the personal statement and resume.

Third-party Scholarships and Opportunities

Award: $10,000
Website: https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/article/aicpa-scholarships-can-support-your-accounting-education
Background

Accountemps is proud to sponsor the AICPA/Accountemps Student Scholarship Award, providing financial assistance to outstanding accounting students who demonstrate potential to become leaders in the CPA profession.

A Robert Half company, Accountemps is a specialized temp agency for accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. Robert Half, the parent company of Accountemps, also contributes to the AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students.
Requirements:
  • Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate-level degree in an accounting or accounting-related major.
  • Planning to pursue the CPA licensure but not presently be a CPA.
  • Completed at least 30 semester hours (or equivalent) of college coursework, including at least 6 semester hours (or equivalent) in accounting, by end of spring 2019.
  • Maintaining an overall and major GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Enrolled as a full-time undergraduate (12 semester hours or equivalent) or a full-time graduate level student (9 semester hours or equivalent) for the 2019-20 academic year. 
  • An AICPA Student Affiliate member (or have submitted a new member application). Apply online at no cost: www.thiswaytocpa.com/aicpa-student-membership
  • A U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder).
  • Some financial need (i.e., not receiving a full or partial scholarship(s) and/or grant(s) that cover and/or exceed one’s educational expenses).
  • Planning to participate in the AICPA Legacy Scholars program for the full 2019-20 academic year.
Deadline: April 1

Award:
$1,000 - $5,000
Website:
Requirements:

AICPA Legacy Scholarships are available for students of diverse ethnic backgrounds, students with non-business-related undergraduate degrees pursuing graduate studies and all students majoring in accounting, finance, or information systems. 
Deadline:
March 1

Award:
 All-expenses-paid annual program for minority accounting students at the undergraduate or graduate level
Website: https://www.thiswaytocpa.com/education/scholarship-search/aicpa-accounting-scholars-leadership-workshop/ 
Requirements: The AICPA Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop is an all-expenses-paid annual program for minority accounting students at the undergraduate or graduate level. The workshop, which features speakers, panel discussions, and interactive programs, will be held in Denver. 
Deadline:  January 21

Award:
  • 1 Grand Prize - $500 Cash Scholarship plus the Wiley CPAexcel Platinum Course with free shipping.
  • 1 First Prizes - the Wiley CPAexcel Platinum Course with free shipping.
Website:
Requirements:
You must be an actively enrolled full or part-time college student taking at least one accounting course.
Deadline:
April 30

Award:
$900
Website:
Description:
The Gloria Feigenbaum Scholarship was created by the family, friends and associates at University of Arizona and Tucson in memory of Gloria Feigenbaum, an active faculty member and champion for women's rights during her career at the University of Arizona. She was a member of the committee to form the original Tucson Women's Commission and was appointed to serve on the first Arizona Women's Commission.
 
Gloria Feigenbaum was also the founder of the Youth University at the UA, and creatively sought to involve everyone in the continuation of education on the college campus. This scholarship was created to provide support for women who have previously attended a post-secondary educational institution, but have had to interrupt their education for two or more years. Candidates must apply and be accepted at the University of Arizona as either full- or part-time students and demonstrate FASFA financial need. The scholarship is renewable through re-application.
Requirements:
Candidates must submit an application either by mail, or email, to the appropriate address below. Submissions can be emailed to: applications@gfscholarship.org
Deadline:
Varies by semester

Award:
The award amount ranges from $500 to $5,000
Website:
Requirements:
  • Must be of Hispanic Heritage
  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for High School Students
  • Minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for College and Graduate Students
  • Plan to enroll Full-Time in an accredited, not-for-profit, 4-year university, or graduate school, during the fall semester of a scholarship cycle (year)
  • U.S. Citizen, Permanent Legal Resident, DACA or Eligible Non-Citizen (as defined by FAFSA)
  • Complete FAFSA or state based financial aid application (if applicable)
  • Deadline:
 February 15

Award:
The IMA sponsors a number of scholarship programs to help students who are members of IMA.
Contact:
Website:
Requirements:
Scholarship requirements vary, please see website for more details.
Deadline:
Varies by Scholarship

Award:
 $450,000** in CPA Exam Review Scholarships, including 40 full 4-part courses each valued at $3,393 and over 200 scholarships each valued at $1,697
Contact:
Becker Professional Education 
Description:
Requirements:
  • Be an accounting professional or student not currently enrolled in Becker's CPA Exam Review at time of scholarship notification.
  • Meet the requirements to sit for the CPA Exam at the time of enrollment in Becker’s CPA Exam Review.
  • Through a personal statement, demonstrate (1) a financial need in preparing for the CPA Exam and (2) the traits important to Newt Becker – high moral character, strong leadership qualities and a commitment to community service.
  • Provide a reference – professor name with contact information.
  • Be a U.S. resident.
  • As this is a scholarship where the student demonstrates a financial need in preparing for the CPA, it is not valid for applicants that are employed by or have accepted a position at a firm or corporation that reimburses for the CPA Exam Review.
  • Selected recipients must enroll in Becker’s CPA Exam Review by May 31.
  • Scholarship is non-transferable.
Deadline:
March 1

Award:
$1,000 - $10,000
Website:
Background

Open education database provides a variety of minority scholarships: "Some minority scholarships make funds available to applicants from specific backgrounds: for example, Hispanic scholarships are available only to Hispanic and Latino applicants. But some scholarships accept a broader applicant pool and any student from a minority background is eligible. These scholarships seek to improve graduation rates among minority students, increase diversity in the job market, and meet financial needs."
Requirements:

As listed on the OEDBwebsite: The scope of minority scholarships is very broad, so eligibility requirements can vary considerably. However, most scholarships are based on merit and require students to meet specific academic and community involvement requirements. They might also focus on meeting financial needs and require to applicants to verify their dependence on financial aid to attend college. However, all minority scholarships are only available to students from minority cultural or ethnic backgrounds. Other requirements may include:

  • Are a high school graduate or graduating senior
  • Of minority ancestry or cultural heritage
  • Are a legal U.S. resident or citizen
  • Meet specific GPA, SAT, GRE or other merit requirements
  • Present documented unmet financial need
  • Enrolled in an accredited program
  • Planning to study a specific subject or field
  • Vary dependent upon scholarships

See website for a complete list of scholarships available. 
Deadline:
Varies dependent upon scholarship. 

Award:
$1,000 - $10,000
Contact:
Website:
Requirements:
  • Undergraduates must be enrolled 9 semester hours (or equivalent) per term
  • Graduates must be enrolled 6 semester hours (or equivalent) per term
  • Be currently enrolled at an accredited, four-year college or university with enrollment through the 2019-2020 academic year
  • Submit a Completed Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship application
  • Provide Official Transcript(s) showing all completed college or university courses
  • Three letters of recommendation must be submitted on behalf of the applicant
Deadline:
January 30

Award:
$1,000
Website:
Requirements:

Scholarship requirements vary.  Please see website for more details.
Deadline:
April 30

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching assistantships are offered on a semester by semester basis to master's students in the Dhaliwal-Reidy School of Accountancy at the University of Arizona. These positions involve working with professors teaching undergraduate accounting courses. Positions are limited and will be provided to applicants who are most qualified. Qualifications include GPA, GMAT score, recommendations from professors, demonstration of skill in the courses for which you are seeking a TA position and other qualitative factors.

Requirements

Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.  If at any time the GPA drops, they lose their assistantship.  Students will also need to re-apply for TA positions each semester.  Students will be required to work 10 hours per week (at .25 FTE) and if they need any time off they should clear it with their assigned professor.  Most faculty are very understanding (especially during exam weeks). 

Accepting a TA position indicates that you agree to not hold an outside job during the regular semester.  You are allowed to work during breaks (summer, winter, spring).  Working an outside job during the regular semester will make you ineligible to receive TA benefits. All TAs must attend a mandatory training session before classes start.

Benefits

Benefits for TAs include the following:

  • Out-of-state tuition waiver (only pay in-state tuition)
  • 50 percent in-state tuition reduction
  • Insurance (single, family is extra)
  • TA's are not required to work during recognized semester breaks
  • In addition to tuition reductions, TAs receive a stipend of approximately $5,000 per semester (subject to change)

Application

To be considered for a TA position, students must apply to the School of Accountancy by the TA consideration deadline of March 1 (fall semester) or October 1 (spring semester). Applicants should indicate on the application that they want to be considered for a TA position.

Application information will be provided to admitted students.