CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship Program | Apply Now
If you are a student in the United States studying accounting, finance, business, or any of the fast-growing tech-adjacent fields like artificial intelligence or cybersecurity, there is a scholarship you need to know about right now. The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship Program 2026 is offering one-time awards of $15,000 each to up to 75 students across the country. And yes, that is not a small amount. For many students, $15,000 can cover an entire semester or help clear outstanding tuition debt.
In this article, we are going to break down everything you need to know about this scholarship, from who is behind it and what it covers, to who qualifies, what documents you need, and how to put together the kind of application that gets noticed. If you have been searching for scholarships in accounting or business fields in the US, this one is worth your full attention.
What Is the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship Program?
The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship Program is a scholarship initiative created by the CLA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, and administered by Scholarship America. The program was designed with one clear purpose in mind: to find and support the next generation of leaders in finance, accounting, business, and other emerging professional services fields.
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, commonly known as CLA, is one of the largest professional services and accounting firms in the United States. It was established in 2012 through the merger of Clifton Gunderson LLP and LarsonAllen LLP, and it currently ranks as the eighth-largest accountancy firm in the country. With nearly 9,000 employees and more than 130 office locations across the US, CLA delivers industry-focused services including wealth advisory, digital solutions, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing.
The CLA Foundation is the company’s private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since its inception, the CLA Foundation has granted more than $16.5 million to organizations nationwide focused on advancing education, employment, and entrepreneurship. All CLA Foundation grant nominations come from CLA family members, reflecting the firm’s commitment to building careers and strengthening communities.
The Opportunity Scholarship Program itself grew out of a major investment CLA made into the future of the profession. Scholarship America, an organization dedicated to eliminating financial barriers for students, received $1.5 million from the CLA Foundation, aligned with CLA’s educational pillar, to distribute $15,000 scholarships across the firm’s office locations nationwide. Through these scholarships, CLA and Scholarship America also work collaboratively to focus on higher education, recruitment, mentoring, and internship initiatives.
This is not a brand new experiment. The program has already proven its value. The CLA Foundation awarded 75 scholarships to students nationwide pursuing degrees in accounting and professional services in its first year, and Scholarship America received additional funding in a second straight year to expand on this shared scholarship program.
Scholarship Award Details
Let us get straight to the numbers and the key facts that matter most when evaluating whether this scholarship is right for you.
- Award amount: $15,000 per recipient (one-time, non-renewable)
- Number of awards: Up to 75 scholarships will be granted
- Study level: Undergraduate and graduate students
- Payment timing: Payments are processed by Scholarship America in early August
- Application deadline: May 19, 2026
- Recommendation deadline: July 3, 2026, by 3:00 PM Central Time
- Notification: All applicants will be notified via email in July
One thing that makes this scholarship particularly appealing is its size. At $15,000, it is one of the larger one-time corporate scholarship awards available to US students in business and finance fields. Combined with the fact that up to 75 students can win, your odds are meaningful if you meet the eligibility requirements and put in a strong application.
It is also worth noting that scholarship winners are not just getting money. Awardees will also be considered for internship opportunities at CLA. This means the scholarship can potentially open a direct career pathway into one of the top accounting and professional services firms in the country, which is a benefit that extends far beyond the financial award itself.
Who Is This Scholarship For? Eligibility Requirements
The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship is open to a broad range of students, from high school seniors just getting ready to enter college all the way up to current graduate students. Here is a clear breakdown of who qualifies.
Academic Level
You must be one of the following:
- A high school senior who plans to enroll in college for the upcoming academic year
- A high school graduate currently not enrolled but planning to begin college studies
- A current college undergraduate at any year of study
- A graduate-level student (master’s or doctoral programs)
Regardless of your level, you must plan to enroll in full-time study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or graduate school for the entire upcoming academic year. Part-time enrollment does not qualify.
Minimum GPA Requirement
Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent. This is a relatively accessible academic threshold, which means the scholarship is not exclusively for students with perfect grades. If you have a strong academic history alongside leadership experience and financial need, you have a real chance.
Field of Study Requirement
This is one of the most important eligibility criteria. You must be pursuing a degree in an area of study related to CLA’s professional services work. Areas of study include, but are not limited to, accounting, business, and finance. Other emerging areas of study include data science and analytics, cybersecurity, human-centered design and user experience (UX/UI), artificial intelligence and machine learning, legal technology and regulatory compliance (RegTech), cognitive science and robotics, communications and digital media, and ethics and technology management.
This is a notably wide field of eligible majors. If you have been wondering whether your degree in data science or cybersecurity might qualify for a finance-related scholarship, the answer here is yes. CLA has specifically expanded the scholarship to cover these emerging technology disciplines because the firm itself is heavily invested in digital transformation and modern professional services.
Citizenship and Location
Applicants must be students in the United States. The scholarship awards are distributed across CLA’s office locations nationwide, which covers more than 130 cities and communities across the country.
Who Is NOT Eligible
CLA and CLA Foundation employees, as well as children of employees, officers, and executives, are not eligible to apply. CLA interns are also excluded from applying. If you or a parent or guardian works for CLA in any capacity, you will need to look at other scholarship opportunities.
What the CLA Foundation Scholarship Covers
The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship is a one-time, non-renewable award of $15,000. The scholarship money is paid directly and is intended to support your undergraduate or graduate studies for the upcoming academic year. Scholarship America processes the payments in early August, so recipients typically receive the funds before the fall semester begins.
Unlike some scholarships that restrict how funds can be used, the $15,000 award can go toward any legitimate educational expense, including tuition and fees, room and board, textbooks and course materials, lab fees, technology and equipment, and other costs directly related to your education.
Beyond the financial award, scholarship recipients are also eligible for internship consideration at CLA. This is a meaningful bonus because a CLA internship can lead to full-time employment at one of the most well-respected accounting and professional services firms in the United States. Students in accounting, finance, business, and technology who are thinking about their career paths should take this internship opportunity seriously.
Eligible Fields of Study in Detail
One of the things that makes the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship stand out from most corporate scholarships is just how broad its eligible fields of study have become. CLA is no longer just looking for future accountants. The firm has embraced a wide-ranging definition of professional services that now includes technology, design, compliance, and even ethics. Let us look at each field in more detail.
Accounting, Finance, and Business
These are the traditional core fields associated with CLA’s work. Accountants, auditors, financial analysts, tax professionals, and business consultants are the backbone of what CLA does. If you are studying in any of these areas, you are in the heart of what this scholarship was designed for.
Data Science and Analytics
The demand for professionals who can interpret large datasets and turn them into business insights has exploded in the professional services industry. CLA works with data-heavy clients in healthcare, government, nonprofit, and real estate sectors. A background in data science or analytics is increasingly relevant to modern accounting and advisory work.
Cybersecurity
As firms handle more sensitive client financial data digitally, cybersecurity has become a critical part of professional services. CLA has made significant investments in digital and technology solutions, and cybersecurity professionals are in high demand within the firm and its client base.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
CLA has publicly committed to a $500 million investment in AI and digital solutions. Students studying AI and machine learning are directly aligned with where the professional services industry is heading. This is a forward-looking field, and the scholarship committee clearly recognizes its importance.
Human-Centered Design and UX/UI
As professional services firms build more digital products and client-facing technology platforms, the need for designers who understand how people interact with complex financial tools has grown. If you are studying UX/UI or human-centered design with a focus on business applications, this scholarship is open to you.
Legal Technology and Regulatory Compliance (RegTech)
Regulatory compliance is a massive area in financial services. As laws and regulations become more complex, the technology used to track and manage compliance has become a field in its own right. Students pursuing legal tech or RegTech are well-positioned in this scholarship landscape.
Cognitive Science and Robotics
This might seem like an unusual fit for an accounting firm, but CLA’s inclusion of cognitive science and robotics reflects the reality that automation is reshaping how financial work is done. Process automation, intelligent systems, and human-machine collaboration are now topics relevant to every major professional services organization.
Communications and Digital Media
Professional services firms need strong communicators who understand digital channels, brand strategy, and how to reach both business clients and the general public through modern media. Communications students who want to work in a business context will find this scholarship worth exploring.
Ethics and Technology Management
As AI, data, and automation become more embedded in financial and business services, questions of ethics, governance, and responsible technology management have become central concerns. Students studying this intersection of technology and ethics are well-suited for careers in professional services firms like CLA.
Selection Criteria: How Recipients Are Chosen
Knowing that up to 75 winners will be chosen from a competitive pool of applicants across the United States, it helps to understand exactly what the selection committee is looking for. The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship does not just look at grades. Selection is based on a combination of factors that together paint a picture of who you are as a student, a leader, and a future professional.
Here are the key selection criteria:
- Academic achievement and GPA (minimum 2.5 required, but higher is better)
- Leadership experience in school, community, or professional settings
- Work experience, including part-time jobs, internships, and volunteer work
- Written essays that address your goals, personal challenges, and career aspirations
- Letters of recommendation that speak to your character and potential
- Demonstrated financial need, as calculated by Scholarship America
Financial need is one of the key components of the selection process. Scholarship America uses a standardized method to calculate financial need, so you do not need to worry about self-reporting income inaccurately. What you do need to make sure is that your application is complete and your financial information is accurate.
The essays are your chance to stand out. A strong essay that tells a specific, honest story about why you chose your field, what challenges you have overcome, and where you want to take your career will carry far more weight than a generic statement. Be personal. Be specific. Be real.
Required Documents for the Application
The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship is administered through Scholarship America, which has a clear and structured application process. Getting your documents together early is essential because the application deadline is May 19, 2026, and missing any single document makes your application incomplete.
Here is what you need to prepare:
Official Academic Transcript
You must upload a current and complete transcript of grades. Scholarship America is strict about this: grade reports are not accepted. Your transcript must display your cumulative GPA, the name of your institution, your full name, credit hours for each course, and the term in which each course was taken.
If you are a high school senior providing SAT or ACT test scores and those scores are not on your transcript, you will need to upload your test score report separately. If you are providing a college transcript, standardized test scores are not required.
Letter of Recommendation
One online recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf by a recommender no later than July 3, 2026, at 3:00 PM Central Time. This is a hard deadline for the recommender, not for you. Note that your application must be submitted by May 19, but your recommender has until July 3 to complete and submit the online form. Make sure your recommender knows this timeline well in advance.
Choose someone who knows your academic work and personal character. A professor, academic advisor, supervisor at work, or community leader can all make effective recommenders. Give them plenty of time and information about the scholarship so they can write a thoughtful letter.
Application Essays
Essays are a core part of the application. You will be asked to write about your academic and career goals, personal challenges you have faced, why you are pursuing your chosen field of study, and how you plan to contribute to the professional services industry. Take these prompts seriously. A well-crafted, authentic essay is often the difference between a finalist and a winner.
Financial Need Information
Since financial need is one of the selection criteria, you will need to provide financial information that Scholarship America uses to calculate your demonstrated need. Make sure this information is accurate and complete.
How to Apply for the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship 2026
The application is managed entirely online through Scholarship America’s platform. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your application submitted on time.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Visit the official application page and create your account. When setting up your account, use a personal email address that you will continue to have access to. Do not use a school or work email address, because these are often deactivated after graduation or when you change jobs. Add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org and the program-specific email as safe senders in your email contacts to make sure you receive all correspondence.
Step 2: Complete the Online Application
Fill out all sections of the application thoroughly. This includes your personal information, academic history, financial information, field of study, and your written essays. Double-check everything before moving on to the next section.
Step 3: Upload Your Transcript
Upload a current, complete, official academic transcript. Make sure it includes all the required information mentioned above. Incomplete transcripts or grade reports will not be accepted.
Step 4: Request Your Recommendation
Contact your chosen recommender as early as possible and let them know about the scholarship. Send them a link to the online recommendation form and remind them of the July 3, 2026, deadline. The recommendation is submitted online, so there is no paper form to mail. Your application will not be considered complete until the recommendation is submitted.
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
Submit your application by May 19, 2026. Do not wait until the last day. Technical difficulties, missing documents, or incomplete sections can cause delays. Submitting at least one to two weeks early gives you time to fix any issues.
Step 6: Wait for Notification
All applicants will be notified via email in July. Make sure your personal email is active and that you check it regularly. If selected, you will receive further instructions about your award and the internship consideration process.
Apply for the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship 2026 here
About Scholarship America: Who Is Administering This?
Scholarship America is one of the most trusted names in scholarship administration in the United States. It is the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. When a company like CLA wants to give back through a scholarship program, partnering with Scholarship America ensures the process is professional, transparent, and fair.
Scholarship America’s evaluation team reviews all eligible applications and selects recipients based on the published criteria. The selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America, and all applicants agree to accept the decision as final. This third-party administration process adds a layer of independence and credibility to the scholarship.
Why This Scholarship Matters for Students in Finance and Tech Fields
There is a pipeline problem in the accounting and professional services industry. The number of students pursuing accounting degrees has been declining in recent years, even as demand for qualified professionals continues to grow. The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship is a direct response to this challenge.
By expanding the eligible fields to include data science, AI, cybersecurity, and other emerging disciplines, CLA is sending a clear message: the future of professional services is not just about spreadsheets and tax returns. It is about digital transformation, intelligent systems, regulatory technology, and ethical decision-making in a data-driven world. Students in these fields who might not have thought of themselves as candidates for a finance scholarship should reconsider.
The scholarship also comes at a time when student debt in the United States has reached record levels. A $15,000 award can make a meaningful difference in a student’s ability to focus on their studies without the constant pressure of financial stress. And for students who go on to receive internship consideration at CLA, the long-term career value far exceeds the dollar amount of the scholarship itself.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
Competition for this scholarship is real. Up to 75 awards sounds like a lot, but given how widely this program is promoted across the country, thousands of students may apply. Here are some practical tips to help your application stand out.
Be Specific in Your Essays
Generic essays that could apply to any scholarship will not stand out. Write about your specific academic journey, the moment you decided on your field, a specific challenge you overcame, and where you see yourself five years from now. The more specific and personal your essay, the more memorable it will be to the reviewer.
Highlight Leadership and Impact
CLA is looking for future leaders, not just students with good grades. If you have held any leadership positions in student organizations, community groups, sports teams, or work settings, highlight them. Talk about the impact you had, not just the title you held.
Choose Your Recommender Wisely
Your recommender should know you well enough to speak specifically about your character, your potential, and your contribution to your field. A strong recommendation from a professor who knows your academic work is worth more than a generic letter from a high-profile person who barely knows you.
Apply Early
Applying early gives you time to review your application, catch mistakes, and ensure all your documents are in order. It also gives your recommender plenty of time to submit their form without rushing.
Demonstrate Financial Need Accurately
Financial need is part of the selection criteria. Do not underestimate or overestimate your financial situation. Provide accurate information and let Scholarship America’s calculation process work as designed.
Double-Check Your Transcript Requirements
One of the most common application mistakes is submitting an incomplete transcript. Make sure your transcript includes your GPA, institution name, student name, individual course credit hours, and the term for each course. Grade reports will not be accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions About the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship
Is this scholarship renewable?
No. The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship is a one-time award. You can receive it once, but you cannot reapply and receive it again in subsequent years. This makes it important to use the funds strategically toward your most significant educational expenses.
Can community college students apply?
Yes. The scholarship is open to students planning to enroll full-time at an accredited two-year or four-year college. Community college students who meet all other eligibility requirements are welcome to apply.
Do I need to be pursuing an accounting degree specifically?
No. While accounting is one of the core eligible fields, the program has been expanded to include business, finance, data science, cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, UX/UI design, legal technology, cognitive science, communications, and ethics and technology management. If your degree is in any of these areas and is related to the kind of work CLA does, you are eligible.
What happens after I am selected?
You will receive an email notification in July confirming your selection. Scholarship America will process payment in early August. You will also be considered for internship opportunities at CLA, which could open the door to a full-time career at the firm after graduation.
Can graduate students apply?
Yes. The scholarship is open to both undergraduate and graduate-level students. If you are currently in a master’s or doctoral program in an eligible field and meet all other requirements, you can apply.
Can international students apply?
The scholarship is specifically for students in the United States. The program targets students at US institutions, and awards are distributed across CLA’s US office locations. International students studying at US universities may be eligible, but you should review the full program terms on Scholarship America’s official website to confirm your eligibility.
Final Thoughts
The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship Program 2026 is one of the more exciting scholarship opportunities available this year for US students in business, finance, accounting, and emerging technology fields. The $15,000 award is substantial. The 75 available spots provide realistic odds for a qualified applicant. The chance to be considered for an internship at a top-10 US accounting firm is a bonus that most scholarships simply cannot offer.
If you are studying in any of the eligible fields and you meet the basic eligibility requirements, there is no reason not to apply. The application process is straightforward, it is managed by one of the most trusted scholarship organizations in the country, and the deadline gives you enough time to put together a thoughtful and complete submission.
Start working on your essays now. Get in touch with your recommender today. Gather your transcript, set up your account on the Scholarship America platform, and submit well before the May 19, 2026, deadline.
Opportunities like this do not come around every day. Take it seriously, prepare thoroughly, and give yourself the best possible chance of joining the next class of CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholars.
