The CFA Institute is accepting applications for its Access Scholarship for the August 2027 CFA® exams, covering Levels I, II and III. The scholarship is for people who would struggle to afford the full cost of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program. It cuts the exam registration fee to just US$400, under the Premium Registration Package, which includes the Practice Pack.
The current application window runs from 3 to 23 November 2026. Candidates from anywhere in the world, including Africa, can apply if they meet the CFA Program entry requirements.
At a Glance
| Offered by | CFA Institute |
| Award | Exam registration reduced to US$400 (Premium Package with Practice Pack). Applicable tax applies. |
| Exam window | August 2027 (Levels I, II and III) |
| Application window | 3–23 November 2026 |
| Decision date | 18 December 2026 |
| Next window | 9 February – 2 March 2027 (for the November 2027 exams, Levels I and II) |
Benefits
- CFA exam registration for US$400 instead of the full fee
- The Premium Registration Package, including the Practice Pack
- A more affordable route to the CFA charter, one of the most respected qualifications in investment and finance
Eligibility
- You must meet the CFA Program entry requirements, which are set out in CFA Institute’s rules.
- The scholarship is for people who may have difficulty affording the full program fees. Financial need is a key consideration, but there’s no fixed income threshold.
- You can hold only one scholarship per exam registration. It can’t be combined with other CFA Institute scholarships.
- If you previously won a scholarship and didn’t register, schedule or sit the exam, you can’t receive another one.
- Applicants should read the full Access Scholarship Rules on CFA Institute’s website before applying.
How to Apply
- Create or log in to your CFA Institute account.
- During the application window, open the Access Scholarship application from the official page (link below). Use a computer. The application can’t be completed on a phone.
- Submit by 23 November 2026. You’ll get a confirmation email, and if you don’t, contact CFA Institute.
- Decisions are emailed about four weeks after the window closes, on 18 December 2026 for this round.
- If you’re awarded, register for the August 2027 exam and pay the reduced fee. The scholarship is only valid for that one exam window.
Official CFA Institute Access Scholarship page
Tips
- Apply for the exam you’ll actually sit. A scholarship won in this window only works for August 2027.
- Be honest about your finances. CFA Institute treats false or misleading information as an ethics breach.
- Plan your study time. If you don’t register, schedule or sit the exam, you lose eligibility for future scholarships.
- Missed this window? The next one opens on 9 February 2027.
