If the cost of the CFA Program feels heavy, scholarships from CFA Institute can make it easier to begin your journey. This guide covers all available scholarships, how they work, who is eligible, and what you must know before you apply.
What Are CFA Scholarships
CFA Institute offers scholarships to make the CFA Program more accessible. Each scholarship waives the one-time enrollment fee and provides a discounted registration fee for an exam.
Every award helps qualified individuals start or continue their CFA studies while maintaining the same high standards of ethics, education, and professionalism.
Types of CFA Scholarships
Let us look at the main scholarships currently offered by CFA Institute.
(For official details, visit CFA Institute Scholarships.)
1. Access Scholarship
- For individuals who may not be able to afford the program fees.
- You must not be currently registered for a CFA exam or waiting for results.
- Covers one exam cycle only.
- If awarded, you receive a waived enrollment fee and a reduced registration fee.
- If you do not use the scholarship before it expires, you will not be eligible for future awards.
Learn more: Access Scholarship
2. Student Scholarship
- For students currently enrolled at a CFA-affiliated university.
- You must not be registered for any upcoming exam or waiting for your result.
- You apply through your university’s CFA coordinator.
- It also includes a waived enrollment fee and a discounted registration fee.
Learn more: Student Scholarship
3. Professor Scholarship
- For full-time professors or qualified administrators who teach a minimum number of credit hours each term.
- You must not be currently registered for a CFA exam or waiting for results.
- It allows academic professionals to experience and share the CFA Program with their students.
Learn more: Professor Scholarship
4. Regulator Scholarship
- For employees of central banks, financial regulators, stock exchanges, or government agencies that oversee the financial markets.
- You must not be registered for an exam or awaiting results.
- Includes the same fee benefits as other scholarships.
Learn more: Regulator Scholarship
General Rules and FAQs
CFA Institute outlines clear rules for all scholarships. Here are the key points:
- You cannot apply for more than one scholarship at a time.
- You must wait until you receive an award decision before applying again.
- If you are awarded a scholarship, you must register, schedule, and sit for the exam before applying for another.
- If you fail to use your scholarship before it expires, you will not be eligible for future ones.
- The discounted fee appears on the final registration page before payment.
- You can apply multiple times across cycles as there is no limit on the number of attempts.
For complete FAQs, refer to Scholarship FAQs on CFA Institute.
How to Apply for a Scholarship
Here is a simple plan you can follow.
- Choose the right scholarship
Check which category fits your profile: Access, Student, Professor, or Regulator. - Read eligibility rules carefully
Go through the CFA Institute’s individual scholarship page to confirm that you qualify. - Apply through the CFA Institute website
Create or log in to your CFA Institute account and complete the online application. - Submit required documents
Some scholarships need proof of employment, university enrollment, or financial status. - Wait for your result
The outcome is sent to your registered email address. If awarded, you can use the discount for your next registration.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Each scholarship has its own application window.
CFA Institute updates these timelines regularly, so you should check the official CFA Scholarship Dates page before submitting.
We recommend marking your calendar at least a month before the deadline so that you have time to prepare your essay or supporting documents.
How to Write a Strong Scholarship Application
Your essay or statement should reflect your motivation for pursuing the CFA charter. Avoid generic lines like “I want to learn more about finance.” Instead, share your personal story or the reason you chose the CFA path.
Keep it short, honest, and focused on how the CFA Program connects with your goals.
For a detailed structure, visit our internal guide: How to Write a CFA Scholarship Essay.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Registering for an exam before applying for a scholarship.
- Submitting incomplete information or missing documents.
- Reusing old essays without updating details.
- Waiting until the last day to apply.
Small errors can disqualify your application, so always double-check your submission before hitting submit.
Quick Recap
- Four key scholarships: Access, Student, Professor, Regulator.
- All waive the enrollment fee and discount the exam registration fee.
- You cannot hold multiple scholarships at once.
- Apply directly on the CFA Institute website.
- Watch your email for decisions and use your scholarship before it expires.
Conclusion
Scholarships are one of the best ways to start your CFA journey with less financial pressure. Read the official pages carefully, prepare your application early, and stay honest in your essay. It is worth the effort.
For more free CFA resources, visit cfa.midhafin.com.