Education provider Kaplan Professional has announced that it will once again offer Women in Finance scholarships following the success of the initiative in 2021.
The Women in Finance scholarship initiative is part of a $1.5 million grant awarded to the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) in 2021 by the Prime Minister and Cabinet Office for Women to promote diversity in the financial services sector.
This year, Kaplan is set to receive $50,000 from the FPA to fund a total of 10 scholarships, which will cover the tuition fees of any two subjects in the Master of Financial Planning or Master of Applied Finance programs.
“Given some of the barriers to entry and the financial burden women may face, we believe it is incredibly important women of all backgrounds and circumstances are supported to achieve their education and career goals,” said Kaplan CEO Brian Knight. “We are pleased to include both the Master of Financial Planning and Master of Applied Finance to widen the scope of the scheme and provide more women with the opportunity to apply. We hope this provides women the inspiration to aspire to leadership positions across the finance and financial services sector.”
According to Knight, Kaplan provided additional funding in order to award 11 scholarships and offer reduced tuition fees to seven other applicants back in 2021. “We were incredibly proud of the take-up last year and the outstanding quality of applicants,” he said.
Among the recipients of last year’s scholarship initiative was Nicole Gardner, associate adviser at Precision Wealth Management.
“The scholarship has helped me financially, but it has also given me a sense of pride and a feeling of being encouraged and supported along the way,” said Gardner, who also received FPA’s 2021 University Student of the Year Award. “I would encourage other women to apply for the scholarship. As a mother of three young children who also works full-time, knowing I have the support of Kaplan Professional and the FPA through the scholarship has been motivating and has helped me to complete my study.”
Scholarship applications are open until 22 July 2022. Full details about the scheme can be found at kaplanprofessional.edu.au/women-in-finance-scholarship/.
