Schwab Teams With CFP Board on New Scholarship to Boost Diversity

The CFP Board Center for Financial Planning, Schwab Advisor Services and the Charles Schwab Foundation launched a collaborative scholarship they said is designed to assist those pursuing CFP certification among underrepresented populations within the profession.

The Charles Schwab Foundation CFP Certification Scholarship is part of Schwab Advisor Services’ ongoing efforts to “cultivate a more diverse pipeline of future RIA talent,” according to the Schwab division.

The launch follows the expansion of Schwab Advisor Services’ and Charles Schwab Foundation’s Founding Sponsorship of the Center through a four-year grant, announced in June.

Up to 16 people will be awarded the new scholarship each year, with up to $10,000 to be awarded per student looking to complete an undergraduate-level CFP Board Registered Program, or up to $5,000 per student seeking to complete a certificate-level CFP Board Registered Program, CFP Board and Schwab said.

At least 50% of award recipients will “be from an underrepresented population within the financial planning profession in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or veteran status, and/or must have a demonstrated financial need,” they added.

“By deepening our collaboration with Schwab Advisor Services and the Charles Schwab Foundation, we aim to reach more underrepresented groups and educate students about career opportunities in financial planning,” CFP Board CEO Kevin R. Keller said in a  statement.

“The contributions from this partnership have already made an enduring impact on increasing diversity in the profession and will continue to help open the doors for future talent,” he added.

Schwab has “long sought to effect positive change in the financial planning profession through outreach and financial assistance initiatives,” noted Bernie Clark, head of Schwab Advisor Services.

“This scholarship not only reflects our commitment to uplifting diverse financial planners, but it also underscores how pivotal we consider CFP Board to be in building a financial planning profession that more accurately reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of the United States,” Clark explained in a statement.

The deadline to apply for a scholarship award is Sept. 30. The application and further information about the new scholarship can be found on CFP Board’s website at CFP.net/Scholarships.

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