CFA Scholarships for Women

Key Takeaways

• Is CFA Women’s Scholarship still available? No, the specific CFA Women’s Scholarship has been discontinued by the CFA Institute

Comprehensive Guide: CFA Women’s Scholarship

• What is CFA?

The CFA credential is an elite, globally recognised professional investment management designation.

• What is CFA Women’s Scholarship?

It was an official initiative to promote gender diversity within the investment management profession.

• Why is CFA Women’s Scholarship closed?

The CFA Institute discontinued the program to streamline their official scholarship offerings globally. 

• When did CFA Women’s Scholarship close?

The specific scholarship program was officially phased out beginning with the 2025 exam cycles. 

• Which alternate CFA scholarships are available?

Candidates can apply for the popular Access, Student, Professor, or Regulator scholarships. 

• What is CFA scholarship benefits?

Recipients receive discounted registration fees and free access to official study materials. 

Please note that the CFA Institute has decided to discontinue its Women’s Scholarship program beginning with the 2025 CFA exams. However, scholarships that are always set aside for women will no longer be an option; the institution will still be offering the Access Scholarship and Student Scholarship programs.

This means that there will not be an opportunity to apply for the Women’s Scholarship for the 2025 CFA Exams. You may, however, remain apply for other scholarships.

What is the CFA Women Scholarship?

The CFA Women’s Scholarship is a form of need-based scholarship aiding women in pursuit of a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. It helps to cover expenses that one has to incur for taking up the examination and, in terms of registration fees, it is quite expensive; hence, making the designation quite accessible to women to pursue further development in the field of finance. 

The CFA Institute tries, through the provision of this scholarship, to advocate gender diversity and inclusion within finance by getting more women to join the industry and excel in it.

CFA Women’s Scholarship Latest Updates (2026)

The CFA Institute permanently discontinued the Women’s Scholarship program. While this specific scholarship for female candidates is no longer available, eligible women can instead apply for the broader Access Scholarship, which reduces the exam registration fee to USD 400 (plus applicable taxes) and includes the Practice Pack.

Women in Investment Scholarship

The CFA Institute Women in Investment Scholarship was established to provide support for women in their desire to foster careers in investment management. This premier scholarship covers CFA Program enrollment and exam fees both for level 1 and level 2, including a grant that will be offered in support of the professional development of the recipient. It seeks to make the CFA Program more accessible to women who are very interested and committed to contributing more to the finance world.

Mentorship Scholarship for Women in Investment

On top of the financial support, the Women in Investment Scholarship pairs the recipients with experienced investment mentors through the CFA Institute Mentorship Program. The mentors provide important guidance and career support that will enable the women to better navigate the obstacles of the industry to reach their professional goals.

Therefore, financial assistance is combined with mentorship to further educational advancement, as the mentor will also enhance career development and professional networking.

Other CFA Women Scholarship

A few organizations that offer scholarships dedicated to women in finance include:

The Women in Finance Scholarship from the CFA Society of the UK grants funding to all women who are currently studying the CFA Program and are committed to a career in the finance sector.

The International Women’s Forum (IWF) awards scholarships for women who want to advance their careers in the finance industry by getting the CFA designation.

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and The National Association of Women in Finance (NAWF) offer scholarships to women who are dedicated to building a career in finance, offsetting even the registration fees for the CFA Program among other assistance to professional development.

Even outside of this, an increasing number of firms offer their employees tuition reimbursements for obtaining professional designations like that of the CFA. Women may explore this option with their human resource departments or immediate superiors.

Most of these scholarships are on a merit basis, and the candidates have to be highly committed to their finance careers, apart from having notable academic and professional achievements. They cover the fees for the CFA program or, in some instances, offer grants and resources toward professional development.

How to Apply for CFA Women Scholarship?

Want to know how to apply for CFA Women Scholarship? Go through the steps below to find out: 

1. Create an Account on the Website of CFA Institute

Open an account on the website of the CFA Institute in case you have not already done so. Fill in the details with your name, contact information, educational background, etc. Verify your email address to complete the registration.

2. Online Application Form and Write the Essay

Log on to your CFA Institute account. From there, access the scholarship application section. Fill out the form with all relevant information concerning your academic background, career goals, and financial need. Write an appealing essay citing your career goals in finance, why you are deserving of this scholarship, and how it will aid you in chasing your dreams.

3. Submit the Application on Time

Check all entries and attachments for accuracy and completeness. You should submit the completed form and essay through the CFA Institute online portal. You must receive a submission confirmation email or message. Please save this confirmation for your records.

4. Wait for the Results

Continuously monitor your email and the CFA Institute’s website for the status of your scholarship application. Scholarship decisions are usually mailed several weeks after the close of a window.

5. Register for the Exam 

If successful, you will be contacted with details about utilizing your scholarship. Log in to your CFA Institute account following registration instructions, and apply the scholarship discount against your registration fees. Complete all steps of the payment process to complete your registration for the exam at a reduced fee. 

Other CFA Women Scholarship

Most of these scholarships are on a merit basis, and the candidates have to be highly committed to their finance careers, apart from having notable academic and professional achievements. They cover the CFA program fees or, in some instances, offer grants and resources toward professional development.

A few organizations that offer scholarships dedicated to women in finance include:

• The Women in Finance Scholarship from the CFA Society of the UK grants funding to all women who are currently studying the CFA Program and are committed to a career in the finance sector.
• The International Women’s Forum (IWF) awards scholarships for women who want to advance their careers in the finance industry by getting the CFA designation.
• The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and The National Association of Women in Finance (NAWF) offer scholarships to women who are dedicated to building a career in finance, offsetting even the registration fees for the CFA Program among other assistance to professional development.

Even outside of this, an increasing number of firms offer their employees tuition reimbursements for obtaining professional designations like that of the CFA. Women may explore this option with their human resource departments or immediate superiors.

Alternatives for CFA Women’s Scholarship

If you’re searching for CFA course details alongside scholarship options, it’s important to know that the CFA Women’s Scholarship has been discontinued. However, the CFA Institute still offers several scholarships that can significantly reduce your registration fees based on your financial need, academic background, or professional status.

Source for details on CFA scholarship programmes: CFA Institute

Conclusion

The CFA Scholarship for Women was a great opportunity for female participants desiring to do CFA certification. It financially assisted and promoted gender diversity in the financial world. Nevertheless, this scholarship opportunity has been phased out starting in 2025. However, other scholarships by CFA institutions like access scholarships and student scholarships are still available for you to take advantage of and complete your CFA journey.

FAQs on CFA Scholarships for Women

Is the CFA Women’s Scholarship available in 2026?

No, the CFA Women’s Scholarship was discontinued by CFA Institute beginning in 2025.

What replaced the CFA Women’s Scholarship?

The CFA Institute Access Scholarship is the primary alternative for eligible candidates.

Can women still receive financial assistance for the CFA Program?

Yes, women can apply for the Access Scholarship if they meet eligibility requirements.

Are there any scholarships exclusively for women pursuing CFA?

No, CFA Institute no longer offers a women-exclusive scholarship as of 2026.

Current Role

Co-Founder & CEO at Zell Education

Education

• ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Finance (2011 – 2014)
• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Financial Markets from H.R. College Of Commerce & Economics (2010 – 2013)

Location

Mumbai, India

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ACCA Certified