Institutional Scholarships

Our program awards up to 60 scholarships annually to qualified individuals seeking to complete the education requirement needed to obtain CFP^® certification and who are from an underrepresented population within the financial planning field, which might include differences based on gender, race, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation.

Each scholarship for CFP^® certification* consists of the following, which scholarship recipients would complete within 2 years of starting the program:

• Required education (fixed schedule of seven OnDemand classes with regular touchpoints during each course)

• Exam Prep Review (choice of Onsite, Live Online, or OnDemand classes)

Our scholarships prepare awardees to sit for the CFP^® exam 2 years after the start of the scholarship. Up to 30 scholarships will be awarded two times per year (totaling up to 60 scholarships annually).

*Scholarship does not cover the following: optional print books, fees associated with extending a course, or cost of reenrolling in a course if the scholarship recipient does not pass the course on initial attempt.

Important Note: Students who are currently enrolled in a CFP^® certification education program or CFP^® certification education course through the College for Financial Planning^®—a Kaplan Company are not eligible to apply. Scholarship applications received from students who are currently enrolled will be automatically withdrawn.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a U.S. resident.

• Must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an institution outside of the United States.

• Must not be a student who:

  • Is currently enrolled in a CFP^® certification education program or CFP^® certification education course through the College for Financial Planning^® —a Kaplan company
    

  • Has previously been awarded a Diversity scholarship by College for Financial Planning^®—a Kaplan company

• Must be committed to the following:

  • Completing the entire scholarship program (education and exam prep) within 2 years of starting the program

  • Adhering to a fixed schedule of OnDemand classes with regular touchpoints during each course

  • An average of 15 hours of class and coursework time each week to successfully keep pace with the structured-pace program

• Must demonstrate a strong work ethic, significant achievements in the classroom or workplace, and the highest personal integrity

• Must come from an underrepresented population within the financial planning profession. The applicant must demonstrate how they represent an underrepresented demographic, which might include differences based on gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, etc.

• Industry experience is strongly preferred but is not required

Up to 30 scholarships will be awarded two times a year (totaling up to 60 scholarships annually). Prospective applicants should visit the College’s website for more information.

Awardees will be contacted by email and phone approximately 1 month after each deadline.

The College for Financial Planning^®—a Kaplan Company awards merit scholarships annually to individuals who show significant potential or have already achieved outstanding success in finance, financial planning, and/or financial analysis and show promise of being future industry leaders. Our merit scholarships cover tuition for enrollment in the College’s CFP^® certification education, professional designation, or Master of Science degree program.

Please note: Additional printed materials, extension, and reinstatement fees are not included in the scholarship award.

Important Note: Students who are currently enrolled in any education program or course through the College for Financial Planning^®—a Kaplan Company are not eligible to apply. Scholarship applications received from students who are currently enrolled will be automatically withdrawn.

• Loren Dunton Master of Science Degree Program Merit Scholarship: The scholarship is awarded in honor of the late Loren Dunton, who was the driving force that solidified the ideas and activities of the professional financial planner. Mr. Dunton played a significant role in the creation and promotion of the IAFP, the College, and Institute of Certified Financial Planners. For this scholarship the College considers individuals who have proven to be leaders in the financial planning field and have given something back to the profession.

• David M. King CFP^® Certification Merit Scholarship: Honoring the achievements of David M. King, who held the position of board chairman at three major financial planning organizations (The College for Financial Planning, 1983–1985; The Institute for Certified Financial Planners, 1979–1980; and the first chairman of the Certified Financial Planner Board, 1985–1987), this scholarship for CFP^® certification is typically awarded annually to a recipient with experience in the financial planning profession who shows significant potential for industry leadership.

• Ginger E. Current Professional Designation Program Merit Scholarship: Honoring the achievements of Ginger E. Current and her dedication to the success of the College for Financial Planning and our students for more than 25 years, this scholarship is awarded annually to a qualified student who is interested in starting a career or expanding their expertise through one of our following professional designation programs:

  • Accredited Asset Management Specialist^SM

  • Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional^SM

  • Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor^SM

  • Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor^SM

  • Accredited Wealth Management Advisor^SM

  • Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor^SM

  • Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist^SM

  • Chartered SRI Counselor^SM

  • Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional^SM

  • Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor^SM

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a U.S. resident

• Must not be a student who is currently enrolled in any education program or course through the College for Financial Planning^®—a Kaplan Company

• Must not be a student who has previously been awarded a Merit scholarship for a particular program by College for Financial Planning^®—a Kaplan Company and is re-applying for the same program awarded. (Note: a student previously awarded a Merit scholarship for a particular program can apply for a different program. ie, a student awarded the Ginger E. Current professional designation program scholarship can apply for the Loren Dunton Master of Science degree or David M. King CFP^® certification scholarships.)

• Must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an institution outside of the United States if applying for either a merit scholarship for CFP^® certification or master of science degree program. (Note: A bachelor’s degree is not required if applying for a professional designation merit scholarship.)

• If applying for a merit scholarship for CFP^® certification or master of science degree program, must have the following experience:

  • CFP^® certification—must have between two (2) and seven (7) years experience in the financial planning profession

  • Master of science degree program—must have five (5) or more years experience in financial planning

• Must provide a copy of their current resume (see application below)

• A written response related to your goals and achievements (see application below)

• A written response to the following question: If this scholarship is an investment in you personally, what will be the return on investment you would bring to the financial planning profession? (500-750 words)

• One (1) letter of recommendation from a professional contact

For certain merit scholarships, applicants awarded scholarships must also agree to enroll in and complete their education program as detailed below.

CFP^® Certification Merit Scholarship

• Enroll within 90 days of being awarded the merit scholarship in either the College’s structured pace or self-paced education program and

• Complete the education program within 2 years

Designation Program Merit Scholarship

• Enroll within 90 days of being awarded the merit scholarship in a designation program and

• Complete the program within 120 days after receiving online access

Master of Science Degree Program Merit Scholarship

• Apply for the master’s program within 90 days of being awarded the merit scholarship

• Complete the program within 5 years

The annual application deadline is June 30.

The College for Financial Planning^®—a Kaplan Company awards several scholarships annually to individuals who serve or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. These scholarships are available to eligible individuals who show significant potential or have already achieved outstanding success in finance, financial planning, and/or financial analysis, and who show promise of being future industry leaders.

These scholarships cover tuition for enrollment in the College’s CFP^® certification education, professional designation programs, and Master of Science degree programs (MS in Personal Financial Planning or MS in Financial Analysis).

Please Note: Additional printed materials, extensions, and fees are not included in the scholarship award.

Apply For Freedom Scholarship

Important Note: Students who are currently enrolled in any education program or course through the College for Financial Planning^®—a Kaplan Company are not eligible to apply. Scholarship applications received from students who are currently enrolled will be automatically withdrawn from the scholarship application process.

• Must be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or an honorably discharged veteran and be able to provide documentation upon request.

• Must not be a student who is currently enrolled in any education program or course through the College for Financial Planning^®—a Kaplan Company

• Must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an institution outside of the United States if applying for either a scholarship for CFP^®certification or Master of Science degree program. (Note: A bachelor’s degree is not required if applying for a professional designation scholarship.)

• If applying for a scholarship for CFP^® certification or Master of Science degree program, must have the following experience:

  • CFP^® certification: must have between two (2) and seven (7) years of experience in the financial planning profession

  • Master of Science degree program: must have five (5) or more years of experience in financial planning

• Provide a copy of current resume (see application below).

• Provide a written response related to your goals and achievements (see application below).

• Provide a written response to the following question: If this scholarship is an investment in you personally, what will be the return on investment you would bring to the financial planning profession? (500-750 words)

• Provide one (1) letter of recommendation from a professional contact.

For each of these scholarships, recipients must also agree to enroll in and complete their education program as follows:

• CFP^® Certification and Exam Prep Review Freedom Scholarship

  • Enroll within 90 days of being awarded the Freedom Scholarship in either the College’s structured pace or self-paced program; and

  • Complete the entire program within two years. (Exceptions can be made for a qualified military leave of absence.)

• Designation Program Freedom Scholarship

  • Enroll within 90 days of being awarded the Freedom Scholarship in a designation program; and

  • Complete the program within 120 days after receiving online access. (Exceptions can be made for a qualified military leave of absence.)

• Master of Science Degree Program Freedom Scholarship

  • Apply for the master’s program within 90 days of being awarded the Freedom Scholarship; and

  • Complete the program within five (5) years. (Exceptions can be made for a qualified military leave of absence.)

The annual application deadlines are Memorial Day and Veterans Day of each year. The next application deadlines are as follows:

• Veterans Day - November 11, 2024

• Memorial Day - May 26, 2025

Awardees will be contacted by email and phone approximately one month after each deadline.