List of Scholarships for Finance Majors

    An accredited online finance degree program can set you up for a successful career in banking, insurance, real estate, accounting, venture capitalism or tax preparation. After graduating with a finance degree, you can get an entry-level job in many of these fields. The skills that you gain also prepare you for a wide range of positions at many companies. You may choose to further your education at an accredited business school to round out your knowledge. Whatever path you choose can be costly.

    The National Center for Education Statistics reports that total prices for tuition, housing and other fees at four-year institutions in 2015 to 2016 averaged approximately $26,000. That’s an increase of more than 100 percent in two decades.

    A scholarship can make the prospect of paying for a bachelor s degree in finance more palatable. Although many people are familiar with merit scholarships that are offered by the institutions themselves, they may not realize that hundreds of other funding options are available. Scholarships for undergraduate or graduate students are accessible to students in various demographic and academic categories. Some are offered specifically to finance majors.

    Scholarships can be funded by corporations, individuals, non-profit groups, professional associations and other organizations. In many cases, they aim to reward students for more than academic achievement. Some are geared toward candidates who show commitment to improving their communities through volunteer work. Others sponsor applicants who demonstrate leadership skills.

    The companies that seek to hire finance majors want to make sure that they have a qualified pool of applicants. Therefore, many of them have put together scholarship programs that make it easier for high-level candidates to get the best possible education.

    Because finance is such a popular business major, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities. The competition can be fierce, however. Finding as many applicable options as you can and preparing your applications carefully can give you the best chance of securing funding for school.

    If you’re planning to research finance degree scholarships, you should have some background in the industry. High school students don’t always have a chance to work in their field of interest before they attend college. However, they may be able to get real-world experience by volunteering or participating in an internship.

    Taking and excelling in classes that reflect your commitment to business and economics can help position you for better scholarship opportunities. Many high schools offer advanced classes that challenge you and prepare you for a finance degree.

    Critical-thinking skills are also important. Many scholarship applications require you to answer essay questions. Writing top-notch essays is one of the best ways to demonstrate your capacity for thoughtful analysis.

    Demonstrate that you have leadership skills by taking responsibility in your extracurricular activities. Whether you’re the captain of a sports team or start a summer business, show that you are a self-starter and can work well with other people.

    In some cases, you can’t do anything to enhance your suitability for a scholarship. Some scholarships are offered to underrepresented groups, such as minorities or females. Others are directed at people with specific medical conditions.

    With so many funding sources available, you may be entitled to more than you think, though. There are scholarships for people who do good deeds, invent a product and are aggressive about applying for other scholarships.

    List of Finance Scholarships

    The following list includes a wide variety of finance degree scholarships. Read the instructions for each one carefully. They have different requirements and deadlines. Working with a school counselor can help you optimize your activities and experiences so that you have the best chances of getting financial assistance for school.

    In the table below, you’ll find all the details on top scholarships for finance degree students. Click any column header to sort the table based on its contents.

    What Are Your Options for a Finance Degree?

    Your goal may be to major in finance, but other business school degrees also offer a curriculum with a focus on economics. Depending on the school that you attend, students with an interest in finance may be able to choose from majors such as:

    • Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance
    • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
    • Bachelor of Arts in Finance
    • Bachelor of Science in Accounting

    Regardless of the degree, most options that specialize in finance let you explore a broader range of topics. Some of the subjects that you may study if you’re interested in finance include:

    • Investment Banking
    • Economics
    • Corporate Taxation
    • Income Tax
    • Accounting
    • Business Lending
    • Risk management
    • Insurance
    • Business Law
    • Securities

    What can a Finance Degree do for You?

    You don’t have to work at a bank if you have a finance degree. Although you’ll learn a great deal about profits and loss, budgets and money, you’ll get a good sense of the way that a successful organization operates. You’ll also learn about management, statistics, strategic thinking, market trends, leadership, problem-solving and decision making. Some programs focus on the needs of local communities, while others give you a background that makes you an ideal candidate for large-scale applications.

    Students who graduate with a degree in finance generally command high starting salaries. According to Chron, the starting salary for a finance major is at least $52,000. It’s not unheard of to earn $65,000 out of the gate.

    Working at a government agency generally draws an average salary of about $50,700 per year. Managers in the insurance and finance industries earn closer to $70,000 per year. A personal financial advisor, accountant or auditor may earn between $41,000 and $51,000 per year.

    An MBA in finance can score you an even higher salary. Although it costs more to pursue higher education, you can look for scholarships for a graduate program or online finance degree and start making closer to $75,000 after graduation.

    Moreover, specializing in finance can help you get a job after you graduate. General business and marketing majors often qualify for the same jobs as people who don’t have a college degree. People who graduate with money-focused business degrees earn more. They also learn more. Students who study mathematics gain more critical thinking, analysis, writing and communication skills than those with a general business major.

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