CFA

Scholarship
Everything you need to know

Source: CFA Institute, Selected Candidate, Ishaan Arora, The Valuation School,
Aaditya Iyenagar, Etc.
1. Key Pointers 01
The CFA L1 will cost you around 1290$ ($ 940 + $
350) or 1600$ (late fees) for both Exam and
Registration but here comes scholarships.

There are 5 types of scholarship:

Women Scholarship (Working or Student).

Regulators like RBI, BSE, SEBI, etc Employees.
Professors of qualified institute.
Student scholarship is only for mostly IIMs, Christ, DU
PG, etc.
Access scholarship for other folks.

The Student and Women will reduce the fees to 400$

for both Exam and registration.

The Access scholarship is the one is most sought after

which reduces the fees to 300$.

For majority of the scholarships you have to Write an

impactful essay depicting the need and desire of the
same.

Key is the essay here.

 02
Also reference of 2 people is also needed. from your
Colleagues, Mentors, Professors, Professional, etc.

The people who don’t get through the scholarship wont

be charged for the late registration exam fees for the
next window.

The scholarship is valid for next 5 windows.

The first window for the CFA Scholarship is opening

from 20 Sep, 2023.

The result should be expected somewhere in Nov - Dec

2023.

If you apply now and the window in May’24

then the amount is 940 $ for Exam L1 (Early
Reg) + 350$ for Registration.

The scholarship will reduce the amount to just 300$ for

access and 400$ for women and student.

Close to saving of 80,000Rs and 1,08,000Rs (Late).

2. Access scholarship. 03
Everyone should at least try because the program is
expensive.

- You should not have registered for their

exam already.
- Access scholarship is applicable for all levels.
- Those who plan to appear in between the
next 5 windows.

This program is for individuals who may not be able

to afford the full fees.

It is given to make the program more accessible.

The CFA Level 1 will cost you around 1.3 Lakhs Rs

but can be reduced to 25000 Rs with Scholarship.

Early Bird - 940$

Standard One -
1250$
+ Registration Fees - 350$

The access scholarship is the one is most sought after

which reduces the fees to 300$ and the key is the essay
here.
“CFA Program enrollment fee is waived and exam 04
registration is reduced to $300” - CFA Institute

Reference of 2 people is also needed, They can be

your colleagues, professors, mentors, industry
connection, etc.

The result of the scholarship comes out after the

expiry of the early bird discount so it can cause an
issue but CFA Institute got your back.

The people who don’t get through the scholarship

wont be charged for the late registration exam fees
for the next window.

The scholarship is valid for next 5 windows.

The first window for the CFA Scholarship is opening

from 20 Sep’ 23 - 20th Oct 23.

The result should be expected somewhere in Nov - Dec

2023.
2. Student scholarship. 05
CFA Program enrollment fee is waived and
exam registration is reduced to USD 400 - CFA
Institute.

It is for those students who are currently attending

an affiliated university.

They have not yet registered for their next exam.

CFA Institute recognizes mostly PG Colleges /

Universities which mostly are IIMs, Christ, DU PG, etc.
2. Women scholarship. 06
It is for those women who are interested in earning
the CFA charter, do not qualify for other CFA
Institute scholarships.

Have not yet registered for their next exam.

CFA Program enrollment fee is waived and exam

registration is reduced to USD400.

Women (Working and Student) both can apply for

the same.

Two application windows will be offered during this

program year (1 Sep 23 – 31 Aug 24).

The first scholarship application window is now open and

will close at midnight ET on 8 Oct 20.

Once your application has been processed, you will

be notified by email.

You can expect a decision no later than 8

December 2023.
3. ESSAY 07
You have to write a 250 words essay to the
institute about your story and it should cover:

- Craft a story about your struggles.

- Why you need the scholarship.

- Highlight academic and professional achievements.

- Your character and how will the charter benefit

both the parties.

- Mention the family income and the need for funds.

- Do not repeat things.

- Never lie in any of these sections.

Read the next slides for in-depth information.

A. Your Story 08
The essay should portray your personal and academic
journey highlighting the key experiences.

Depict the Moments and Challenges that you

have faced during the process.

How will the CFA Charter will help in your

finance knowledge.

Your interest in core finance roles and what laid

the interest for pursuing the course.

Basically why do you need the scholarship and how

you are the right candidate.

The WHY.
B. Criteria: 09
Understanding what the CFA Committee is looking for
in the essay is very crucial.

Make sure to go through it once before writing it

Understand the specific things they look for.

C. Never Fake:
Honest and Transparent essay is very much required.

Do talk about your financial need and the

struggles during the journey.

They want to see the transparency from the candidate.

Don’t make up anything.

D. Social Work: 10
Highlight the things that you did to uplift the society.

It can be any volunteering activity or any NGO related

work or any social work.

It shows your character and the greater good.

Connect it with the program and the scholarship.

E. Achievements:
Here you have to elaborate and highlight on the
academic or professional highlights.

If you completed any other finance and accounting

professional qualification will give you points.

Use it as a medium to showcase your hardwork

and dedication to the respective field.
F. Passion: 11
Show them what does the charter means to you and
how will the scholarship uplift you.

Showcase your enthusiasm for the scholarship

and how will the program help in your long term
goal.

The things that you want to achieve in your career.

G. Personal Touch:
Talk about your personality traits such as how
dedicated and resilience you are.

Give out specific instances or stories to back the claims.

H. Introduction 12
Write a attention grabbing and eye catching introduction
that sets the foundation of your story.

The word limit is 250 Words and try to draft it within the
Limit.

Present in a short and effective way.

I. Organize
Make sure the formatting is on point and there is no
grammatical errors while keeping the crispiness intact.

It should be well structures and should flow smoothly.

J. Review. 13
Get it reviewed by different professionals
and folks who have cracked it earlier.

Get their viewpoint and fine tune it.

CFA Institute Guide
Sample Essay

Source: Aaditya Iyenagar.

Posts every alternate DayFaizan Nezami

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