Facet Scholarship for Increased Diversity in Financial Planning

About the Scholarship

 

We believe that every individual deserves access to high quality, ethical, comprehensive  financial life advice to empower them to achieve their life goals. To make that possible, we know we need a diverse mosaic of professionals in the industry. Through this scholarship, we are doing what we believe in to bridge the gap in access to this amazing profession. Diverse representation in the profession will lead to better outcomes for a more diverse set of clients.

The Facet Scholarship for Increased Diversity in Financial Planning provides financial assistance to qualified African American/Black candidates for CFP® certification. Facet has partnered with the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning to offer this unique scholarship as an extension of the firm’s mission to provide all families with the benefits of a relationship with a CFP® professional, regardless of socioeconomic status or net worth. The scholarship is generously funded by Facet with additional financial support provided by Jeff Stein, Triad Financial Advisors, Inc. and Warburg Pincus Foundation. Learn more about Facet and their Diversity initiatives here.

The scholarship awards up to $5,000 to students seeking to complete a certificate or undergraduate degree in Financial Planning from a CFP Board Registered Program that would qualify them to sit for the CFP® exam. In addition to the financial assistance, students can elect to receive mentorship from one of Facet's CFP® professionals throughout their course of study.

Applications will be reviewed by an independent Scholarship Review Panel comprised of CFP® professionals and members of the Facet Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Recommended finalists will undergo a background check and be reviewed by Facet representatives before being selected to receive an award.

Award process

Scholarship awards will be disbursed in two equal installments. To receive the first installment, recipients will have to demonstrate proof of enrollment in a Financial Planning certificate or undergraduate degree program. If not currently enrolled in a program, recipients will have up to 3 months to enroll after being notified of the award. The second installment will be awarded either upon completing the program (if the awardee has already started coursework), or when the awardee is half-way through the program (if the awardee has not yet started coursework). There is no obligation for recipients to be affiliated with Facet following successful completion of the program.

eligibility Requirements

• Must be legally able to work in the United States;
• In order to receive the award, must be enrolled in an undergraduate or certificate-level CFP Board Registered Program. Click here for a list of eligible programs. If not enrolled at the time of applying, scholarship awardees will have up to 3 months to enroll or forfeit the award;
• If applying for an undergraduate-level scholarship, must not be in the final semester at the time of the application;
• If applying for a certificate-level scholarship, must possess an undergraduate degree and must not have completed more than 5 courses in the certificate-level program at the time of the application.
• Must identify as Black or African American;
• Must have a demonstrated financial need, as explained in an essay to be submitted during the application process.

Applicants who are selected to proceed to the final round of the application review process will be required to pass a background check conducted by CFP Board.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applications will only be accepted through the application form below. 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.

Application Deadline

The application window will be open until October 22, 2023.

Award Decision

Scholarship applicants will be notified of the award decision via email by November 30, 2023. If you have a question about the status of your application, please contact us at scholarships@cfpboard.org.