Educational Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions * Scholarships * Foundation Programs
General Questions
Q. What kind of financial assistance is available?
A. Scholarships only
Q. What is the Educational Foundation?
A. The Educational Foundation, formed in 1957, is an extension of the Georgia Society of CPAs.
The mission of the Foundation is to encourage the best and the brightest individuals in
Q. What is the Georgia Society of CPAs?
A. The GSCPA is the professional association which promotes high ethical standards and quality service for certified public accountants in
Q. What is the purpose of the Educational Foundation?
A. The Georgia Society of CPAs Educational Foundation was formed in 1957 to aid and advance education and research relating to the study, teaching, and practice of accountancy and allied fields.
Q. Who is the Educational Foundation?
A. The Educational Foundation is comprised of volunteer officers and a board of directors, who are all members of the Georgia Society.
Scholarship FAQs
Q. Who qualifies for a scholarship award?
A. Applicant must be a rising junior or senior undergraduate accounting major or a graduate student enrolled in a master's level accounting or business administration program at an accredited public or private college or university. Award recipients must be a resident of the state of
- Maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) OR an accounting grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) or above;
- Demonstrate financial need (Required for Advantage Payroll Scholarship and for others with financial need - To establish financial need, applicants must complete the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” available in the school's financial aid office.)
Chapter awarded scholarships may vary on their requirements. Please contact your local chapter to find out if you qualify for a chapter-level scholarship.
Q. How are the scholarships awarded?
A. Sponsoring chapters of the Georgia Society of CPAs award a contribution to students meeting the academic requirements and its selection process. The Educational Foundation matches the scholarship funds provided by each chapter on a one-to-one basis.
Or, you may apply for a Direct Foundation Level scholarship which is awarded directly from the Educational Foundation of the GSCPA using the contributions raised from the Annual Giving Campaign.
Q. How much money can I be awarded?
A. The number and size of scholarships available vary at each institution. Each sponsoring chapter develops its own scholarship program within the constraints of the above criteria. Direct Foundation Scholarships vary in their amount as well.
Q. How do I get a chapter to consider me?
A.Contact the Georgia Society and request information concerning chapter presidents' names and contact information in your geographic area. You may call the Society at 404-231-8676 or toll free in
Q. What are the procedures for chapter matching funds scholarships?
A. See Chapter Procedures for Providing Scholarships
Award Programs
Q.What are the award programs offered by the Educational Foundation?
A. The Foundation offers two award programs to recognize outstanding individuals entering the accounting field and an award to recognize an outstanding educator within the field.
The Gold Key Awards
The Society's Gold Key Awards are presented to the five candidates who are Georgia residents and students/alumni at a Georgia institution of higher education, earning the highest aggregate scores in passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination on their first attempt. In order to be considered in any year, candidates will have to ahve completed testing in the previous calendar year.
All five awards will be equal in level. The winners will receive identical "Gold Key Award" plaques from the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants.
The Academic Excellence AwardThe Academic Excellence Award is presented to undergraduate accounting majors with the highest overall GPA in
Accounting Educator of the Year Award
Each year the Accounting Educator of the Year Award is presented to an outstanding educator in the field of accounting. The presentation is made at a ceremony each spring.
Howard Herman Distinguished Service Award
The Howard Herman Distinguished Service Award is the highest award presented by the Educational Foundation of the Georgia Society of CPAs. It recognizes the individual who has given outstanding service to the Educational Foundation. This award was created by the Educational Foundation in memory of Howard Herman, past president of the Educational Foundation and the Georgia Society of CPAs. The presentation is made at a ceremony each spring.
Q. I think that I may qualify for an award, how do I find out more information?
A.Contact Nikelle Hamada at the Georgia Society of CPAs or call 404-504-2956 or toll free in