This year, the NYSSCPA, through its affiliated Moynihan Scholarship Fund (MSF), has awarded Excellence in Accounting Scholarships to 75 New York college students for the 2019–2020 academic year.

Fifty-five full-time college students received $2,500 scholarships, and nine part-time students received $1,250 scholarships. In addition, four students received $2,500 scholarships sponsored by the Buffalo Chapter, two students received $1,000 Ted G. Wilson college scholarship grants sponsored by the Society’s Manhattan/Bronx Chapter, two students received $1,000 Bernard Del Rey Scholarships sponsored by the Staten Island Chapter, and four students received $500 grants sponsored by accounting firm Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP.

Additionally, four high school students who previously graduated from the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program and are about to start college received $2,000 COAP Scholarships, which are renewable every year for up to five years.

Established in 2015, the MSF honors the memory of NYSSCPA Past President David J. Moynihan (1955–2015), a staunch advocate of educational opportunities. Last September, the MSF became incorporated as its own 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and it is now solely responsible for administering the Excellence in Accounting Scholarship program and the COAP program. Previously, these programs were administered by the Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE).

“The Moynihan Scholarship Fund is focusing our energies specifically on supporting the next generation of accounting professionals,” said Scott M. Adair, president of The Moynihan Scholarship Fund board of trustees. “Through COAP, we encourage underrepresented minority high school juniors to consider a career in accounting, and through the Excellence in Accounting Scholarship program, we support college students who have committed themselves to the accounting profession. We are proud to award these scholarships to outstanding college students all across the state. By financially assisting top-notch accounting students, as well as offering them professional support and mentoring, we can help ensure that the profession remains robust in future years.”

In order to be eligible for Excellence in Accounting Scholarships, students had to be declared accounting majors, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. They also had to be eligible for financial aid. To qualify for the $2,500 full-time scholarships, students needed to be enrolled for at least 12 semester credits. To qualify for the part-time $1,250 scholarships, students needed to be enrolled for 6 to 11.5 semester credits.

There are dedicated campus liaisons at 58 colleges in New York state, many of whom helped to identify those students eligible for these scholarships. Applicants needed to submit letters of recommendation from either their campus liaison, a department chair, or an accounting professional contact, such as an employer.

To learn more about the Excellence in Accounting Scholarships, click here.