Posted in Education

DBPR, FICPA encourage accounting students to apply for Clay Ford Scholarship

   Published Date: May 27, 2015

Close up of a graduation cap and a certificate with a ribbon
Press Release: The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Certified Public Accounting and the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) are encouraging minority accounting students statewide to apply for this year’s Clay Ford Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded each year through the CPA Education Minority Assistance Program to students studying to become certified public accountants (CPAs). To date, more than $1 million has been awarded to minority CPA students since the program’s implementation in 1999.

“Education is one of the greatest investments we can make in our future,” said DBPR Secretary Ken Lawson. “Helping our students gain the knowledge they need to accomplish their goals is what makes Florida such a great place to work and learn. I encourage all eligible students to apply for the Clay Ford Scholarship, so they too can accomplish their goals and obtain a professional CPA license right here in Florida.”

“Rep. Clay Ford was a remarkable statesman and noted supporter of the CPA profession,” said Deborah Curry, CPA, CGMA and Florida Institute of CPAs president/CEO. “He would be so proud to know that the Clay Ford Scholarship program is helping tomorrow’s CPAs achieve their dreams.”

Applications for the scholarship must be postmarked by June 1, 2015. For more information on the scholarship, including eligibility criteria and the application process, please visit www.myfloridalicense.com/CPAScholarship.

The CPA Education Minority Assistance Program was established to encourage fifth-year accounting students to finish their schooling and complete the necessary requirements to obtain a Florida CPA license. The Clay Ford Scholarship is funded by a $10 portion from each individual and firm license fee. Recipients of this prestigious award will receive between $3,000 and $6,000 per semester for a maximum of two semesters.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from hotels and restaurants, real estate agents and accountants to veterinarians, contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.myfloridalicense.com.