CFA Scholarships for Women
Last Update On 2nd December 2024
Duration: 5 Mins Read
Are you a woman who is passionate about finance but worried about the expenses that come with achieving the CFA designation? The CFA Women’s Scholarship could be your golden opportunity. Designed explicitly for ladies like yourself, facing the financial barrier that prevents you from pursuing the career of your choice, this scholarship will help you in doing just that.Â
With this scholarship, you’re on your way to becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst, and, more importantly, it’s a step toward a more diverse and inclusive finance community. So why wait? Witness firsthand how the CFA Women’s Scholarship can help open doors for you and make your ambitions a reality.
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.
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:Â
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 ExamÂ
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.Â
Conclusion
The CFA Scholarship for Women was a great opportunity for female participants desiring to do CFA designation. 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.
FAQ’s on CFA Scholarships for Women
How to get CFA Women Scholarship?
Since 2025, the CFA Institute has eliminated the Women Scholarship. The previous scope of it was forwarded to women showing financial needs and fulfilling other eligibility criteria. Check for any scholarship opportunities on the website of CFA Institute.
How much is CFA Level 1 for women?
The fees for Level 1 of the CFA examination remain uniform for any candidate, no matter the sex. The fee is around $1290 to $1550 including the costs involved in registration, examination, and study materials. More information on the fee schedule is on the website of the CFA Institute.Â
What is the difference between CFA access scholarship and a women’s scholarship?
The CFA Access Scholarship allows reduced registration fees and is granted through financial need. This scholarship is open to all eligible applicants. The Women Scholarship is now not available or granted to female candidates; it is a scholarship in which reduced registration fees are granted.
How many times can I apply for CFA scholarship?
You may apply to multiple scholarships in one exam cycle if you are eligible. You can even apply as many times as you want for CFA scholarships because the CFA Institute does not track or limit the number of applications you submit.Â