SCHOLARSHIP OVERVIEW
The College for Financial Planning®—a Kaplan Company awards up to 60 scholarships per year (30 awarded in each of two cycles) to individuals from underrepresented groups pursuing CFP® certification.
The College created this scholarship to help correct long-standing disparities in CFP® certification and foster a more representative financial planning community.
AWARD PACKAGE
Each scholarship recipient will receive tuition and digital textbooks for the following*:
- Structured schedule of seven OnDemand CFP® certification classes with regular touchpoints during each course
- Exam Prep Review (choice of Live Online, OnDemand, or available Onsite classes)
Please note: Due to the fixed schedule of classes, course extensions are not available to scholarship recipients.
*Scholarship does not cover the following: optional print books or cost of re-enrolling in a course if the scholarship recipient does not pass the course on initial attempt.
EXPECTED PROGRAM START DATE
Scholarship recipients are expected to begin their coursework in the academic term immediately following their award notification. For the December 31st application deadline, classes will begin in March 2026. For the April 30th deadline, classes will begin in July 2026.
Recipients must commit to starting their program on schedule to maintain eligibility for the Financial Advisor Futures Scholarship. Deferrals are not permitted.
TIME COMMITMENT
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.
Fulfilling an average of 15 hours of class and coursework time each week to successfully keep pace with the program.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
To graduate from the CFP® education program and be eligible to sit for the CFP® exam, scholarship recipients must complete all seven courses in the program:
- FP511 General Financial Planning Principles, Professional Conduct, and Client Psychology
- FP512 Risk Management, Insurance, and Employee Benefits
- FP513 Investment Planning
- FP514 Tax Planning
- FP515 Retirement Savings and Income Planning
- FP516 Estate Planning
- FP517 Financial Plan Development
CLASS SCHEDULE
GRADUATION DEADLINE
Our scholarships prepare awardees to sit for the CFP® exam two years after the start of the scholarship. Because of this structure, recipients have two years to complete all seven required education courses.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Important Note: Students who are currently enrolled in a CFP® certification education program or CFP® certification education 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.
Applicants must meet the following 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.
- Has previously been awarded a CFP® certification education program scholarship by College for Financial Planning.
- Must demonstrate a strong work ethic, significant achievements in the classroom or workplace, and the highest personal integrity (see application below).
- Must come from an underrepresented population within the financial planning profession. The applicant must demonstrate how they represent an underrepresented demographic.
- Industry experience is strongly preferred, but is not required.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Up to 30 scholarships will be awarded two times a year (totaling up to 60 scholarships annually). The next application deadline is December 31, 2025. Individuals awarded scholarships associated with this deadline will start their scholarship program in March 2026.
Future upcoming deadlines include:
- April 30, 2026 (for scholarships program which starts July 2026)
Please note: Unsuccessful applications will not roll over to the next review cycle. However, an applicant may complete another application in its entirety for a future deadline if not awarded a scholarship on a previous attempt.
RECIPIENTS NOTIFIED
Awardees will be contacted by email and phone approximately one month after each deadline.
Applications are not automatically rolled over to the next scholarship cycle. If a scholarship is not awarded, a new application is required to be considered again.
QUESTIONS?
Any questions and all communications regarding the scholarships can be directed to the CFFP Scholarship Committee at the following email: Scholarships@cffp.edu
Freedom Scholarships
Freedom Scholarships are available to individuals who serve or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and 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.