Risk Management and Insurance Scholarships
Through the generous support of Strategic Partners, private donors, and endowed funds, the Brantley Center is able to award ~$80,000 of scholarship money to >50 RMI and Actuarial Science each year. Scholarships are distributed on merit and need basis. Special consideration is given to students from historically underrepresented backgrounds within the insurance industry. Most scholarships range between $500 and $1,500.
In order to qualify for a scholarship, you must apply through the Walker College of Business application process. Scholarship applications for each year open on December 1, and close on February 7.
If you have questions about any of the Walker College of Business undergraduate scholarships or the scholarship process, please contact Ms. Kathy Mann, 4126 Peacock Hall, 262-6165, mnnks@appstate.edu.
The purpose of the High Performers Scholarship is to allow all students the opportunity to explore the Risk Management and Insurance major and the Employee Benefits minor while also fulfilling elective hours. The Brantley Center is committed to inclusive excellence and this scholarship prioritizes support for students from diverse backgrounds (i.e. students of color, learning or physical differences, LGBTQIA+, female, First Generation, and more).
This program supports students in earning $1,000 in scholarships by enrolling in the Principles of Risk Management course (FIN 3100) or Employee Benefits (FIN 3700). Students earn $1,000 for one course and must apply to be eligible.
To earn the scholarship, participating students must:
· Enroll in FIN 3100, Principles of Risk Management and Insurance, or FIN 3700, Employee Benefits
· Participate in a minimum of 3 AppState Gamma Iota Sigma (student Risk Management & Insurance club) events
· Successfully complete the class with a "B" or higher grade.
If you would like to participate in the High Performers Scholarship, please call us at 828-262-6950 or fill out the interest form here. Alternatively, interested students can stop by the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center (Peacock Room #3058) to discuss the opportunity in person with Dillon Waschenbach, Brantley Center Associate Director.
Spencer scholarship
Timeline:
Scholarship typically opens in October and closes in late January
Scholarship awardees are typically notified at the end of April.
Description:
Undergraduate Spencer scholarships are awarded in the amount of $5,000, with limited $7,500 and $10,000 scholarships awarded to the highest-ranked applicants. Spencer awards scholarships to undergraduate students who meet the following criteria:
Must seek a career in Risk Management, Insurance, and/or Actuarial Science.
Must be enrolled at an accredited college/university in the United States and Canada for at least one full academic year (two semesters).
Preferred (but not required): Majoring/minoring in Risk Management/Insurance or a related field of study (e.g., actuarial science, business, finance, information technology, etc.)
Preferred (but not required): Relevant work/internship experience and leadership skills.
To learn more about the Spencer Scholarship Program, follow this link
CPCU Society NextGen Scholarship
The CPCU Society NextGen Scholarship Fund was created to promote higher educational opportunities for students interested in careers within the risk management and insurance industry.
This fall, 15 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each, will be awarded to selected recipients. The application deadline is traditionally in mid-November.
To qualify for a scholarship, you must:
Be a full-time, undergraduate student
Be majoring in risk management, actuarial science, finance, business, information systems and/or have a strong desire to join the risk and insurance industry upon graduation
Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
Not be a previous recepient of a NextGen Scholarship
- Submit application before deadline date. All applications must be received on or prior to the deadline of November 17.
Required Materials:
Complete Application
College Transcript (unofficial copy accepted)
Letter(s) of Recommendation (1 letter from a professor required, additional letters will be accepted)
Personal Statement (750 words or less)*
Personal Statement Prompt changes with each year
To learn more about the CPCU Society NextGen Scholarship, follow this link
WSIA Derek Hughes Scholarship Program
Established in 1998, the Derek Hughes Scholarship Program, sponsored by the WSIA Education Foundation, supports undergraduate students pursuing an insurance or business-related program of study. The purpose of the scholarship program is to further the study of insurance and encourage, support, and reward those exceptional students who have an interest in an insurance career and specifically in the surplus lines industry. The program is named for Derek Hughes, to honor his contributions to the surplus line industry and the Foundation.
The scholarship application opens in mid-November.
Awards
Up to 30 $5,000 scholarships will be awarded; $2,500 for Fall and $2,500 for Spring. Learn more in the program brochure.
Additional benefits to scholarship recipients:
- $250 for completion of the Surplus Lines Fundamentals online course
- Support to attend a WSIA Education Foundation symposium. Includes free registration, $400 travel stipend, and overnight hotel cost.
- Connection to a WSIA U40 member who can assist with networking and education about the industry.
- Resume shared with WSIA members.
- Opportunity to sign up for webinars offered through WSIA
Scholarship Criteria
In order to be eligible for this scholarship, students must meet the following guiding principles:
- Have an overall GPA of 3.25 or a major GPA of 3.5 or higher (both on a 4.0 scale);
- Be a college sophomore, junior or senior enrolled full time in an undergraduate program and not graduating before Fall 2024 (graduate students are not eligible);
- Be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours) in an undergraduate degree program;
- Satisfy one of the following substantive requirements:
- Be pursuing a Risk Management and/or Insurance (RMI) major, minor, or concentration; or
- Have taken RMI courses; or
- Have work experience in the insurance industry.
- Plan to pursue a position in the excess and surplus lines industry upon graduation.
Previous recipients are eligible to receive the scholarship in subsequent years but must reapply each year. Preference is given to students pursuing an RMI degree.
Scholarship Qualifications and Materials
The following documents should be prepared and ready to upload as part of the online application:
- A resume that is no longer than two pages.
- An essay (no more than one page and 500 words) answering one of the following questions:
- Unofficial transcripts should be provided as either a Word document or PDF. JPG files cannot be accepted. Please note: The committee may request your official transcripts as verification.
To learn more about the Derek Hughes Scholarship Program, follow this link
NAAIA J.L. Tillman Scholarship
Mission: The NAAIA J. L. Tillman Scholarship was created to promote higher educational opportunities for AfricanAmerican students interested in careers within the insurance industry. Consistent with the ideals in which NAAIA's Founder, Jerald L. Tillman, started NAAIA, the Scholarship Fund will encourage more African American to strongly consider careers within the insurance industry.
Scholarship Availability: Five (5) Scholarships in the amount of $3,000.00 each will be awarded to selected applicants.
Application requirements include:
- Applicant must be African-American.
- Applicant must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA.
- Graduating highschool senior collegebound or college student.
- Preferred degrees include: Risk Management, Insurance, Business, Math, Actuarial Science, Computer Technology, Marketing, an associated field of study or be interested in pursuing a career in the insurance industry.
- If applicant is a graduating High School Senior, applicant must show school acceptance letter and acceptable proof that commitment has been made to attend a specific school.
- Applicant must complete Annual Scholarship Program Entry Form before deadline date. All entries must be received on or prior to the deadline. Traditionally the deadline is in early October. See below for submission information.
Essay:
- Essay Instructions: Essays should be double spaced and limited to two pages, no more than 500 words per part. Essays must contain specific facts and reasoning which support your case.
- Essay Prompts are unique to each application year
Submission Information:
• Deadline for Submission is Late August (review website for up-to-date deadline information).
• Three letters of Reference. Two from teachers or counselors; one can be from a community person (such as a minister, mentor, employer, etc.).
• A copy of your most recent high school or college transcript.
• High school students or graduates who are enrolling in college must provide documentation confirming your ACT score of 23 or higher or SAT combined score of 1200 or higher. (Not required if you are already attending college)
• College acceptance letters must be provided prior to receiving award (if chosen).
• Scholarships winners will be announced by early November..
The application and further information can be found here. The application and all accompanying material must be received on or before deadline. Please email to naaia.office@gmail.com.
To Learn more about the National African American Insurance Assocation follow this link
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. David Marlett at 828-260-5289 or marlettdc@appstate.edu or Dillon Waschenbach at 828-262- 6179 or waschenbachd@appstate.edu.
LAAIA Scholarship
LAAIA Scholarship Foundation was established in 2018 and it is meant to assist students or individuals interested in the insurance industry. The Spencer Educational Foundation has partnered with the Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies (LAAIA) to create merit-based diversity scholarships through an annual pledge by The LAAIA. This year, The Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies Scholarship will be awarded to two undergraduate students who self-identify as Latinx/Hispanic American. Spencer awards scholarships to undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. students pursuing risk management and insurance careers with financial support ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
Undergraduate Spencer scholarships are awarded in the amount of $5,000, with limited $7,500 and $10,000 scholarships awarded to the highest-ranked applicants. Spencer awards scholarships to undergraduate students who meet the following criteria:
Must seek a career in Risk Management/Insurance.
Must be enrolled at an accredited college/university in the United States, Canada, or Bermuda for the 2023-2024 academic year (September 2023 - May 2024).
Preferred: Relevant work/internship experience and leadership skills.
Preferred: Majoring/minoring in Risk Management/Insurance or a related field of study (e.g., actuarial science, business, finance, information technology, etc.)
Application typically opens in October and closes in late January, with awards given by the end of April
Follow this link for up-to-date information
Follow this link to learn more about the Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies
Additional Scholarships for RMI Students
The Brantley Center coordinates with several national organizations that sponsor national competitions for scholarships. These scholarships often impose additional restrictions and require a separate application process. Visit the Gamma Iota Sigma grand chapter scholarship page for additional details: https://www.gammaiotasigma.org/gis-benefits and see below for additional scholarships.
- Loman Scholarship: $2,000 scholarships to support internship relocation expenses like housing, food, clothing, and transportation. Rolling basis. [Info]