Education provider Kaplan Professional will offer 10 Women in Finance scholarships in 2022 following positive engagement and take-up with the initiative last year.
The Women in Finance Scholarships initiative was part of a $1.5 million grant that the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) was awarded in 2021 by the Prime Minister and Cabinet Office for Women.
The 10 scholarships would cover the tuition fees of any two subjects in Kaplan Professional’s Master of Financial Planning or Master of Applied Finance.
The FPA would allocate $50,000 to Kaplan Professional to fund the 10 scholarships.
Kaplan Professional chief executive, Brian Knight, said he was delighted to again offer the Women in Finance Scholarships in 2022.
“We were incredibly proud of the take-up last year and the outstanding quality of applicants.
“Due to the fact there were so many deserving applicants, we made the decision to provide additional funding and award 11 scholarships.
“Seven other women who had compelling applications, but were not awarded a scholarship, were offered significantly reduced tuition fees,” he said.
Knight expressed Kaplan Professional’s continued commitment to promoting inclusion and diversity throughout the industry.
“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.
“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.
2021 Women in Finance Scholarship recipient and Precision Wealth Associate Adviser, Nicole Gardner, said the scholarship scheme had benefited her significantly in both a personal and professional sense.
“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.
“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.”
