AFC® Certification Scholarship

Meaningful work wherever life takes you

The Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) Certification Scholarship is an opportunity for individuals to obtain their AFC® Certification via AFCPE’s self-study pathway.

The AFC® Certification Scholarship includes:

  • AFC® Registration Fee
  • Three (3) AFC® Textbooks
  • AFC® Online Study Guide
  • Live and Recorded Webinar Review
  • One (1) AFC® Exam Attempt

Application Period: October 1-October 31 

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Eligibility

To be eligible for an AFC® Certification scholarship, applicants must be ONE of the following:

  • Employed (full-time or part-time)
  • Student (full-time or part-time)
  • Individual with a desire to help others with their money
  • Individual with a desire to serve underserved communities
  • Individuals seeking to improve their financial counseling, coaching and financial education skills.
  • Individual experiencing a financial barrier obtaining AFC® Certification
  • Individual seeking to further their own professional development and education
  • Work full-time or part-time for a 501(c)(3) community-based nonprofit committed to serving underserved communities and have successfully completed AFCPE’s Money Management Essentials Training
  • Work full-time or part-time for a 501(c)(3) public or private college or universities and have successfully completed AFCPE’s Money Management Essentials Training

Applicant must be experiencing a financial hardship that would otherwise prevent attainment of AFC® certification and must not:

  • Receive any organizational support or reimbursement for completion of the AFC® Certification
  • Be a current or past AFC® Candidate at the time of application, award, and acceptance.
  • Be a current or past AFC® Professional at the time of application, award, and acceptance.

How To Apply

Complete online application including:

  • Contact information
  • Employment Information (if applicable)
  • Student Information (if applicable)
  • AFCPE Membership Information (not required)
  • Demographic Information
  • Educational Experience
  • Volunteer Experience
  • 4 Essay Questions

If accepted, commit to:

Attend one of the following virtual orientations:

  • January 14th, 2025, 12 – 1 pm ET
  • January 21, 2025, 7 – 8 pm ET

Attend scholarship cohort check-ins at the below dates and times:

  • April 2, 2025, 2 pm ET
  • June 5, 2025, 2 pm ET
  • September 4, 2025, 2 pm ET
  • October 2, 2025, 2pm ET
  • November 6, 2025, 2pm ET

Test no later than December 31, 2025.

Please print your application for your records before you submit. Once you submit your application, AFCPE will not be able to return it to you, in whole or in part, for any reason.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated and scored by groups of AFCPE volunteers and are reviewed by staff. All decisions are final. A selection committee conducts a blind review of all applications. Reviewers will consider how an applicant plans to complete their AFC Program, how the AFC will support their existing client base or future client base and community, the applicant’s plan to obtain the necessary 1000 experience hours, an applicant’s commitment to growing as a counselor. Financial hardship is a consideration during the award process.

Scholarship Award

Scholarships will be awarded November 15th. All applicants will be notified of their application status via email. Scholarships will be awarded by email. All applicants will be notified of their application status.

Scholarship recipients will receive the following:

  • AFC® Registration Fee
  • Three (3) AFC® Textbooks
  • AFC® Online Study Guide
  • Live and Recorded Webinar Review
  • One (1) AFC® Exam Attempt

All scholarship recipients agree to sit for the AFC® certification exam no later than December 31, 2025. Acceptance of an AFC® Certification Scholarship requires completion of a post-scholarship award survey. Survey responses are confidential and will be used to improve future scholarship opportunities.

AFCPE does not reimburse for any fees or expenses incurred prior to award. AFCPE employees, board members, and their immediate family are not eligible to apply for AFCPE scholarships. 

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