Scholarship

Participants in the COAP (Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession) program are eligible to apply for a COAP College Scholarship.   This scholarship provides $2,000 per year for up to five years, to students studying accounting at a college or university in New York State with the goal of becoming a CPA. The Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE) is a nonprofit organization and the administrator of the program.

Questions and Answers about the COAP Scholarship

The COAP Scholarship is an award that is provided to three COAP students who attended the program during the previous year.  A $2,000-per-year, five-year scholarship is awarded to selected participants of the statewide COAP programs (a maximum total award of $10,000 per recipient).

New York State Accounting Higher Education

Participants must have applied to a New York State college or university for accounting. (Only students studying full-time at a school in New York State are eligible for the scholarship. If a student awarded a scholarship chooses not to study full-time in
New York, the scholarship will be forfeited.)

Candidate Selection Process

Candidates are required to have accounting as their anticipated major field, Applicants who have applied for a two-, four-, or, five-year program will be considered. The criteria for initial awards will be academic record, extracurricular activities (including employment), an essay, and applicant appraisal. These criteria will be evaluated based on applications submitted.

Selection Criteria

COAP Scholarship Program candidates are judged on three criteria:

1. Academic excellence and intellectual distinction. Although the program does not require a minimum GPA, it is understood that prospective candidates will have the academic ability and preparation to succeed in their education.
2. An outstanding record of leadership.
3. A sustained commitment to service and community.

What Constitutes a Complete Application

1. A completed application form, mailed to the NYSSCPA and received before March 1, 2010.
2. Signed terms of agreement.
3. Essay component (Mandatory): A 750-word essay describing  your long-term plans as they relate to your:  a. educational objectives; b. career objectives; c. future goals; and how your COAP experience has affected these plans.  

(Optional): A 750-word essay describing how and when any unusual family or personal circumstances have affected your achievement in school, your work experience, or your participation in school and/or community activities.

1. Most recent official transcript with grades, major GPA, and cumulative GPA.
2. Completed Applicant Appraisal.

COAP Scholarship Renewal

Scholarship renewal will only be based upon maintenance of an overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 or above and an accounting GPA of at least 3.0. If you are enrolled in a two- or four- year college or university, you must indicate what your plans will be for the completion of the CPA 150-credit-hour requirement.

If You Are Chosen for a Scholarship

All applicants will be notified of the decision of the committee. Letters will be mailed to the student’s home address shortly after the decision is made. 

The Application

The scholarship application can be found on our COAP website www.coap.us; after Parts 1 to 6 are completed, attach high school transcript. Finally, the applicant appraisal (Part 8) must then be completed by your school counselor, teacher, or COAP chairperson and then mailed to: FAE COAP Scholarship Program, Attn. Chris James, NYSSCPA, 18th Floor, 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016. (It must be received by March 1, 2010.)

If You Are Awarded a Scholarship

Payment will be sent to your school’s financial aid office at the beginning of each semester or quarter, pending good academic standing. In order to receive payments, students must complete the following:

Fall Payment: You must submit a copy of your spring 2010 academic transcript to FAE COAP Scholarship Program, Attn. Chris James, NYSSCPA, 18th Floor, 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016 by October 15, 2010.

Spring Payment: You must submit a copy of your fall 2010 academic transcript to FAE COAP Scholarship Program, Attn. Chris James, NYSSCPA, 18th Floor, 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016 by March 15, 2010.

Application Deadline March 1, 2010.

Please note: The FAE Scholarship Committee reserves the right to process only applications that are complete and are received (postmarked) by the due date indicated above.