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Empowering Future CPAs: $672,000 in Scholarships Awarded

June 02, 2025

By WSCPA

“Not only did I receive the validation that I had chosen accounting correctly, but accounting had chosen me too.” — Maria McDowell, Junior at Gonzaga University, 2024 Scholarship Winner

In 2025, the Washington CPA Foundation proudly awarded a total of 119 scholarships, investing $672,000 in the next generation of accounting professionals.

A record-breaking 93 scholarships were awarded through the Foundation’s primary fund, including:

  • 30 master’s students receiving $10,000 WBOA awards
  • 62 undergraduate students receiving $5,000 scholarships
  • 1 doctoral/PhD scholarship at $10,000

These awards were made possible through individual contributions from members as well as generous funding from the Washington State Board of Accountancy scholarship partnership, Roy J. Polley Memorial Scholarship Fund, George Waterman Scholarship Fund, and several Named Scholarships. Collectively, they represent a strong and ongoing commitment to academic excellence. Recipients were selected from a highly competitive pool of 250 applicants representing 17 Washington colleges.

Demographic highlights:

  • 64% female, 35% male
  • 25 first-generation college students
  • 20 students from low-income backgrounds

Additionally, the Associate Scholarship Fund awarded 26 scholarships at $2,000 each, totaling $52,000. This fund is supported by contributors such as the Len Heritage Fund, KBF CPAs, and the Eaon Roberts and Bill Reed Families.

With $672,000 awarded this year, the Foundation continues to make an undeniable impact—supporting the dreams, education, and success of aspiring CPAs across Washington State.

“It’s an incredible honor to support such bright, driven, and diverse students on their journey to becoming CPAs. Each scholarship represents not just financial support, but our collective belief in their potential to lead, innovate, and strengthen the future of the profession.” — Monette Anderson, CAE, Executive Director, Washington CPA Foundation 

If you have contributed to the Foundation this year, thank you! Your contribution enables us to do the critical work of investing in our accounting community through initiatives—like these scholarships—that promote awareness and access to the CPA profession.