The Goldman Scholars

About the Scholarship

The Goldman Scholars program launched in 2024 with an impactful endowment from Charles and Judy Goldman. It was established to advance the financial planning profession by increasing opportunity for a diverse and motivated group of students and creating an engaged community of future CFP® professionals.

This scholarship provides financial support to college Juniors and Seniors in strong academic standing who are seeking to complete the education requirement for CFP® certification through an undergraduate-level CFP Board Registered Program. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need and be from populations that are underrepresented in the financial planning profession in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, military status, disability and/or sexual orientation.

The scholarship awards up to $5,625 per undergraduate student. The amount of the award will be based on submitted documentation showing program costs and other aid. Applications will be reviewed by an independent Scholarship Review Panel comprised of CFP® professionals as well as the Goldman family. Four awardees will be selected to join this prestigious Goldman Scholars community annually.

Over time, the program will endeavor to provide Goldman Scholars with additional resources to support their journey to becoming CFP® professionals. This may include professional development opportunities, job or internship placement assistance and virtual or in-person connections to build an ongoing community among awardees and alumni.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must not be a prior recipient of a CFP Board scholarship.
• Must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
• Must be a current undergraduate student beginning their Junior or Senior year in fall 2024 (an anticipated graduation date between May 2025 and May 2026).
• Must be enrolled in an undergraduate-level CFP Board Registered Program (major, minor, track, or concentration in financial planning), which qualifies the student to sit for the CFP® exam.
• Must submit a current, complete unofficial transcript. Unofficial transcripts must display student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course and term.
• Must submit an Enrollment Verification Letter from the academic institution that verifies an applicant’s anticipated graduation date.
• Must have and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Must be from an underrepresented population within the financial planning profession in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, military status, disability, and/or sexual orientation.
• Must have a demonstrated financial need.
• Must agree to share their contact information with the sponsor and agree to be contacted by the sponsor regarding news, events, opportunities, etc.
• Must demonstrate a commitment to the financial planning profession and future Goldman Scholars, including but not limited to, participation in virtual and in-person annual events, mentoring, surveys, etc.
• Applicants will be required to pass a background check conducted by CFP Board, and must enhance and maintain the profession’s public image.

Submission Requirements

Applications will only be accepted through the application portal. Please do not attempt to submit application materials via mail, fax or email.

When submitting application essays and materials, please pay close attention to spelling, grammar and presentation, as that will be factored into the grading process.

Award Process

Applicants who are Seniors in college will apply for a one-year scholarship award. Applicants who are Juniors in college will apply for a two-year scholarship award.

If a selected recipient is in their Junior year at the time of the award notice, they are eligible to receive two payments totaling up to $5,625. CFP Board will send 50% of their award to their academic institution within 2 months of the award notice. The remainder will be sent when the awardee provides an updated transcript at the start of their Senior year showing their final grades from Junior year and continued enrollment in a CFP Board Registered Program going into their Senior year. An awardee must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA to be eligible for the second payment. It is the intent of the Goldmans to make the two award payments to each qualifying Junior applicant.

If a selected recipient is in their Senior year at the time of the award notice, they are eligible to receive one payment totaling up to $2,812.50. CFP Board will send 100% of their award to their academic institution within 2 months of the award notice.

All payments will be made directly to academic institutions.

Application Deadline

The application window will be open in late August 2025.