Available Scholarships

Available Scholarships

The 2025 academic scholarship application window is now closed. Winners will be announced this spring. The application window for 2026 scholarships will open in November.

GOLDBERG-MILLER PUBLIC FINANCE SCHOLARSHIP

In 1985, GFOA's Executive Board voted to create the Daniel B. Goldberg Scholarship to recognize outstanding performances by graduate program students preparing for a career in state and local government finance. Goldberg-Miller Public Finance Scholarship is funded by the Girard Miller Foundation.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

  • Enrollment Status: Full-time; graduate level
  • Course of Study: Not specified, but should have relationship to state/local government finance
  • Letter of Recommendation: Someone who can speak to your commitment to the public sector
  • Number of Scholarships Available for Award - 2025 Level: One $30,000 award
  • Employment Requirement: None

FRANK L. GREATHOUSE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

In 1987, GFOA's Executive Board voted to create a Government Accounting Scholarship to recognize outstanding performance in accounting studies and to encourage careers in state and local government.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

  • Enrollment Status: Full-time; graduate or upper level undergraduate
  • Course of Study: Accounting
  • Letter of Recommendation: Someone who can speak to your commitment to the public sector
  • Number of Scholarships Available for Award - 2025 Level: Two $10,000 awards
  • Employment Requirement: None

CLARK BURRUS PUBLIC SERVICE ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP

In 1993, GFOA's Executive Board voted to create the Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship, which was renamed the Clark Burrus Scholarship in 2024 to recognize and encourage outstanding minority students enrolled in a course of study preparing for a career in state or local government finance.  

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

  • Enrollment Status: Full- or part-time; graduate or upper level undergraduate
  • Course of Study: Public administration, (governmental) accounting, finance, political science, economics, or business administration (with specific focus on government or nonprofit management)
  • Letter of Recommendation: Someone who can speak to your commitment to the public sector
  • Number of Scholarships Available for Award - 2025 Level: One $10,000 award
  • Employment Requirement: None

BETTY JO HARKER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP

In 2010, GFOA's Executive Board voted to create the Government Finance Professional Development Scholarship, which was renamed the Betty Jo Harker Scholarship in 2024 to support the studies of part-time students with a career interest in state and local government finance. 

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

  • Enrollment Status: Part-time; graduate level
  • Course of Study: Public administration, (governmental) accounting, finance, economics, or business administration (with specific focus on government)
  • Letter of Recommendation: Employer, and someone who can speak to your commitment to the public sector
  • Number of Scholarships Available for Award - 2025 Level: Four $10,000 awards
  • Employment Requirement: Employed at least two years by one or more state or local governments

JEFFREY L. ESSER CAREER DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP

In 2017, GFOA’s Executive Board voted to create the Jeffrey L. Esser Career Development Scholarship to advance the public finance careers of individuals employed at least three years by one or more state or local governments.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

  • Enrollment Status: Part-time; pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree
  • Course of Study: Public administration, (governmental) accounting, finance, or business administration (with a specific focus on government)
  • Letter of Recommendation: Employer, and someone who can speak to your commitment to the public sector
  • Total Amount Available for Award: $5,000 to $15,000; one to three awards per year.
  • Employment Requirement: Employed at least three years by one or more state or local governments

Eligibility for Scholarships

  • Citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada
  • Plan to pursue a career in state/provincial or local government finance
  • Student has not been a past winner of a GFOA scholarship.
  • Additional criteria for each individual scholarship

Evaluation Criteria

  • Specific criteria defined by each scholarship
  • Career plans in state/provincial and local government finance
  • Past academic record and work experience
  • Strength of coursework and demonstrated connection between coursework and career goals
  • Letters of recommendation (Please address all letters to the GFOA Scholarship Committee)

Share now!