On April 27, 2026, the accounting scholarship cycle transitions from its primary “Spring” peak to an important summer application period for Master’s in Accounting (MSA/MPA) bursaries and early planning for 2027 fully-funded fellowships. The main AICPA and NABA deadlines were the March deadlines for 2026, but there are still some high-value regional and university-specific grants open.
Below are the flagship funding opportunities currently available for accounting students and aspiring CPAs.
1. PCAOB Scholars Programme 2026-27
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) offers one of the most valuable merit awards for accounting students in the U.S.
- • Prize: $15,000 for each winner.
- Status: Nominations Now Open.
- Strategy: Funding available for classes that start on or after August 1, 2026. The nominating institutions set the deadlines. Please reach out to your Accounting Department Chair as soon as possible to determine if your school is a PCAOB-designated institution and whether their internal nomination window is still open.
- Requirement: Minimum 3.3 GPA and interest in pursuing a career in public accounting/auditing.
2. University of Connecticut (UConn) MSA Scholarship
A remarkable example of university funding for students seeking an online or on-campus Master’s in Accounting.
- The Award: One-time scholarship up to $3,300.
- • The current status is that applications are open.
- Application deadline: July 17, 2026 (for Summer/Fall 2026)
- Eligibility: New students admitted to the MSA programme for the 2026-27 year must have a minimum 3.2 undergraduate GPA.
3. Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA) – 2027 Planning
The local deadline for the TXCPA Houston was April 15, but the statewide foundation is gearing up for its next big cycle.
- THE AWARD: $2,500 maximum for 4-year college students.
- Cycle Planning 2027: Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year scholarships will be open in August 2026.
- Must be a TXCPA student member (free) and have a minimum 3.25 accounting GPA.
4. AICPA Foundation: Future CPAs & Transfer Awards 2027
They are still the gold standard in the industry. The 2026 window is closed, but the 2027 cycle is the next big target for high-achieving students.
- The Award: $5,000-$10,000 (Legacy Scholars)
- 2027 Cycle Planning: Portals Open December 1, 2026 / Deadline March 15, 2027
- Requirement: Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the US; Must be an AICPA Student Affiliate member (free).
- The $5,000 “Two-Year Transfer” track is a high priority for students who transfer from 2-year to 4-year institutions.
5. International Postgraduate Scholarships (UK/Europe)
For international students looking to start the 2026/27 academic year in the UK or Europe:
- University of Glasgow: £15,000 reduction for international students on postgraduate taught (PGT) courses. Closing date: Ongoing for 2026/27 entries.
- Chevening Scholarships (UK) 2027/28: Opens 5th August 2026. This is a fully funded (tuition + stipend) route for someone with 2+ years of accounting experience.
6. Accounting Students’ Critical 2026 Strategy
To win a high-value accounting grant this year, focus on “Professional Integrity”:
- The “Audit Evolution” story: 2026 committees are seeking students who know about ESG Reporting and AI in Auditing. Instead of “I am good at maths”, say, “I am interested in how blockchain can improve real-time audit transparency.”
- CPA Evolution Alignment: In your essays, describe your interest in pursuing a major in one of the three new CPA disciplines (Tax Compliance, Business Analysis, or Information Systems). Demonstrating that you’re ready for the CPA Evolution model is a massive merit multiplier.
- Quantify your Impact: Don’t just say you “interned” on your resume. “Automated a reconciliation process that cut month-end closing time by two days.”
- The “Membership” Advantage If you join your State Society of CPAs (TXCPA, CalCPA, NYSSCPA, etc.), you can usually qualify for “Member-Only” scholarships which are much less competitive than national awards.
7. A list of important deadlines (May/August 2026)
- PCAOB Nominations: Varies (Contact your Dept. Chair).
- UCL Hong Kong Alumni (Accounting Track): April 27, 2026 (Today).
- UConn MSA Scholarship: July 17, 2026.
- The Chevening 2027 Cycle starts on August 5, 2026.
- TXCPA State Scholarships: Opens Aug 2026