Institutional Scholarships

Institutional Scholarships

College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company awards scholarships that help qualified individuals cover the cost of coursework to pursue their CFP® certification, a professional certification, or a Master of Science Degree in Personal Financial Planning.

We offer:

  • Diversity scholarships for CFP® certification
  • Merit scholarships for professional certifications, CFP® certification and Master of Science Degrees in Personal Financial Planning.
  • Freedom Scholarships for military service members and veterans

CFP® Certification Education Program Diversity 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.

Application Procedures

Students interested in applying for a diversity scholarship must complete the application online via the College website. Applicants are required to complete the following:

  1. Diversity Scholarship Application (online)
  2. Letter of Reference
  3. Completion of required essay questions

Application Deadlines

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.

60 Diversity Scholarships awarded Annually

Eligibility 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

Timing of Scholarship Announcements

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

Questions?

Any questions and all communications regarding the scholarships can be directed to the CFFP Scholarship Committee: Scholarships@cffp.edu

Merit Scholarships

The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company awards merit scholarships 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.

Application Deadline

Important: 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.

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 desgination 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, what will be the financial planning industry’s return on investment? (500–700 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 follows:

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.

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 SpecialistSM
  • Accredited Behavioral Finance ProfessionalSM
  • Accredited Portfolio Management AdvisorSM
  • Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM
  • Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM
  • Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM
  • Chartered SRI CounselorSM
  • Financial Paraplanner Qualified ProfessionalSM

Freedom Scholarships for Military Service Members & Veterans

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.

Eligibility Requirements

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.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

    • 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, what will be the financial planning industry’s return on investment? (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.)

Application Deadline
The annual application deadline is Memorial Day of each year. The next application deadline is May 27, 2024.

Timing of Scholarship Announcements
Awardees will be contacted by email and phone approximately one month after each deadline.

Questions
Any questions and all communications regarding the scholarships can be directed to the CFFP Scholarship Committee at scholarships@cffp.edu.