CFA Institute Access Scholarship — August 2027 Exam

The CFA Institute Access Scholarship supports individuals who may struggle to afford the full cost of the CFA Program. For the August 2027 exam cycle, it covers applications for Levels I, II and III. This is a fee reduction, not a fully funded award: successful applicants must still pay USD 400 plus applicable tax. Applicants currently in Nigeria should check the full scholarship rules before assuming they are eligible.

Opportunity Summary

About the Opportunity

CFA Institute reviews and awards Access Scholarships, with financial need a key consideration. The application window opens on 3 November 2026 and closes on 23 November 2026. No deadline timezone is stated. The published decision date is 18 December 2026, and applicants are notified directly by email.

The scholarship is tied to the selected exam cycle and cannot be transferred to another exam window. Candidates may apply for only one scholarship per exam registration and cannot combine the Access Scholarship with another CFA Institute scholarship.

Applicants should also understand the consequences of not using an award. Failing to register, schedule or appear for the exam makes a recipient ineligible for future scholarships. Candidates registering with a scholarship cannot purchase a paid deferral, although they may request an emergency deferral if they meet the specified criteria.

Knowingly providing false or misleading information breaches CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. Suspected inaccuracies may lead to investigation, with possible sanctions including suspension or prohibition from the CFA Program and loss of future scholarship eligibility.

Funding and Benefits

• CFA Program exam registration fee reduced to USD 400 under the Premium Registration Package.
• The Premium Registration Package includes Practice Pack.
• Applicable tax is additional; the award is a fee reduction rather than full funding.

Who Can Apply?

• Applicants must meet the requirements for the CFA Program.
• Full eligibility conditions are governed by the Access Scholarship Rules, whose contents were not supplied.
• The scholarship is intended for individuals who may have difficulty affording the full CFA Program cost; financial need is a key assessment consideration.
• Candidates may apply for only one scholarship per exam registration.

What Nigerian Applicants Should Know

• The supplied information does not explicitly confirm eligibility for Nigerian citizens or permission to apply while resident in Nigeria. Check the full Access Scholarship Rules or seek clarification from CFA Institute before relying on eligibility.
• No Nigeria-specific tax amount is supplied. The confirmed reduced fee is USD 400, with applicable tax charged additionally.

How to Apply

1. Review the CFA Program requirements and the full Access Scholarship Rules.
2. Apply during the August 2027 cycle’s application window: 3 to 23 November 2026.
3. Log in to the application platform using a computer; the application cannot be completed on a mobile device.
4. Complete and submit the application with accurate information.
5. Check for a confirmation email after submission. Contact CFA Institute for assistance if it does not arrive.
6. Check your email for the award decision; the published decision date is 18 December 2026.

Visit the official application page

Application Tips

Preparation advice, not an additional provider requirement: review the full Access Scholarship Rules and CFA Program entry requirements before completing the form. Consider whether you can meet the remaining USD 400 registration fee plus applicable tax and commit to the August 2027 exam cycle. Arrange access to a computer and aim to submit ahead of the closing date, since no deadline timezone is supplied. Keep your submission confirmation email.

Information checked 8 November 2026.