General Questions

Q. What kind of financial assistance is available?
A. Scholarships only

Q. What is The Educational Foundation?
A. The Educational Foundation, formed in 1957, is an extension of The Georgia Society of CPAs. The mission of the Foundation is to encourage the best and the brightest individuals in Georgia to become Certified Public Accountants.

Q. What is The Georgia Society of CPAs?
A. GSCPA is the professional association which promotes high ethical standards and quality service for certified public accountants in Georgia. The statewide organization has 20 chapters which provide participation at the local level and 26 committees and task forces that execute the objectives of the Society.

Q. What is the purpose of The Educational Foundation?
A. The Georgia Society of CPAs Educational Foundation was formed in 1957 to aid and advance education and research relating to the study, teaching, and practice of accountancy and allied fields.

Q. Who is The Educational Foundation?
A. The Educational Foundation is comprised of volunteer officers and a board of directors, who are all members of The Georgia Society.

Scholarship FAQs

Q. Who qualifies for a scholarship award?
A. Applicant must:

  • Demonstrate a commitment to pursue a career in accounting;
  • Be a resident of the State of Georgia
  • Be a rising junior or senior undergraduate accounting major or person having a concentration in accounting or a graduate student enrolled in a masters level accounting or business administration program at a public or private college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • Maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) OR an accounting grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) or above;
  • Be enrolled in a minimum of six semester hours (ten quarter hours) beyond the sophomore level during the period scholarship funds are to be used;
  • Be enrolled in a SACS accredited, 4-year institution.
    • ¤ Chapter awarded scholarships may vary on their requirements. Please contact your local chapter to find out if you qualify for a chapter-level scholarship.

Q. How are the scholarships awarded?
A. Sponsoring chapters of The Georgia Society of CPAs award a contribution to students meeting the academic requirements and its selection process. The Educational Foundation matches the scholarship funds provided by each chapter on a one-to-one basis.

Or, you may apply for a Direct Foundation Level scholarship which is awarded directly from the Educational Foundation of GSCPA using the contributions raised from the Annual Giving Campaign.

Q. How much money can I be awarded?

A. The number and size of scholarships available vary at each institution. Each sponsoring chapter develops its own scholarship program within the constraints of the above criteria. Direct Foundation scholarships vary in their amount as well.

Q. How do I get a chapter to consider me?
A.Contact The Georgia Society and request information concerning chapter presidents' names and contact information in your geographic area. You may call the Society at 404-231-8676 or toll free in Georgia 800-330-8889.

Q. What are the procedures for chapter matching funds scholarships?
A. See Chapter Procedures for Providing Scholarships

Award Programs

Q.What are the award programs offered by The Educational Foundation?
A. The Foundation offers two award programs to recognize outstanding individuals entering the accounting field and an award to recognize an outstanding educator within the field.

The Academic Excellence Award

The Academic Excellence Award is presented to undergraduate accounting majors with the highest overall GPA in Georgia colleges and universities or to the student with the highest grade in the "Principles of Accounting" class in junior colleges. Society chapters sponsor award programs in their area.

Outstanding Accounting Educator Award

The Outstanding Accounting Educator Award is presented to an outstanding educator in the field of accounting. This person is honored at a GSCPA event as well as at the annual meeting of GAAE.

Howard Herman Distinguished Service Award

The Howard Herman Distinguished Service Award is the highest award presented by the Educational Foundation of The Georgia Society of CPAs. It recognizes the individual who has given outstanding service to The Educational Foundation. This award was created by The Educational Foundation in memory of Howard Herman, past president of The Educational Foundation and The Georgia Society of CPAs. The presentation is made at a ceremony each spring.

Think that you may qualify for an award, find out more information, contact Callie Hammond at The Georgia Society of CPAs or call 404-504-2953 or toll free in Georgia 800-330-8889, ext 2956.