Ballentine Partners, a prominent investment and wealth management firm, is committed to fostering diversity within the financial planning profession. Through the Ballentine Partners Scholarship to Create a Diverse Financial Planning Profession, the firm aims to increase the number of certified financial planner (CFP®) professionals from underrepresented groups. This scholarship provides crucial financial support to qualified Black or African American and/or Hispanic or Latino individuals pursuing CFP® certification.
Ballentine Partners manages over $10.2 billion in assets and employs more than 110 professionals, focusing on client-centric investment strategies. Their mission centers on empowering families to make informed financial decisions, enabling them to live fulfilling lives. In partnership with the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning, the Ballentine Partners Scholarship strives to create a more inclusive and sustainable financial planning landscape, ensuring all Americans have access to ethical and competent financial advice. The scholarship provides up to $5,000 to cover educational expenses at a CFP Board Registered Program, preparing recipients for the CFP® exam.
Ballentine Partners Scholarship: Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Ballentine Partners Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Previous Scholarship: Must not have received a prior CFP Board Center for Financial Planning scholarship.
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Ethnicity: Must identify as Black or African American and/or Hispanic or Latino.
- Enrollment: Must be enrolled in, or enroll within three months of receiving the award, in a CFP Board Registered Program (undergraduate, graduate, or certificate level) that qualifies them to sit for the CFP® exam. A list of eligible programs can be found on the CFP Board website. Graduate and undergraduate applicants cannot be in their final semester. Certificate-level applicants must hold an undergraduate degree and have completed fewer than six courses in the program.
- Documentation: Must provide proof of enrollment and associated costs.
- Commitment: Must demonstrate a genuine commitment to the financial planning profession through a written essay.
- Background Check: Must pass a background check conducted by the CFP Board and uphold the profession’s public image.
Ballentine Partners Scholarship: Application Process
Applications are exclusively accepted through the designated online portal. Submissions via mail, fax, or email are not permitted. Careful attention to spelling, grammar, and presentation in essays and application materials is crucial, as these factors will influence the evaluation process.
Ballentine Partners Scholarship: Award Disbursement
The Ballentine Partners Scholarship is distributed in two equal installments. The first installment requires proof of enrollment in a qualifying CFP Board Registered Program. The second installment is awarded upon program completion (for those already enrolled) or at the halfway point (for those who enroll after receiving the award).
Ballentine Partners Scholarship: Application Deadline
The application window opens in late August 2025.
