As part of its continued commitment to promoting diversity throughout the finance and financial services sector, leading education provider Kaplan Professional will again offer 10 Women in Finance Scholarships in 2022. This follows positive engagement and take-up with the scholarship initiative in 2021. The Women in Finance Scholarships initiative is 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 at the time to manage and deliver a scholarship program over a two-year period for women in finance and economics. The 10 scholarships will cover the tuition fees of any two subjects in Kaplan Professional’s Master of Financial Planning or Master of Applied Finance. The FPA will allocate $50,000 to Kaplan Professional to fund the 10 scholarships. Kaplan Professional Chief Executive Officer 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. “We hope this provides women the inspiration to aspire to leadership positions across the finance and financial services sector,” he said. 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. “Women possess the intellect, technical knowledge and leadership skills required for the industry … by being able to back this up with a postgraduate qualification through a provider like Kaplan Professional, it just makes it that bit easier for women to demonstrate the value they can add in more senior roles. “The most rewarding thing for me is the personal growth, confidence and knowledge that I have gained through my postgraduate studies and the scholarship, knowing that by furthering my education, the advice I am providing to my clients is of the highest quality,” she said. Gardner was also awarded the FPA’s 2021 University Student of the Year Award. Eligibility is open to: Women who may not have previously studied with Kaplan Professional Women who have previously completed, or are currently completing, other Kaplan Professional vocational or postgraduate courses Each applicant will be considered on their ability to demonstrate intersecting sources of disadvantage. This includes, but is not limited to: Financial need Re-entering the workforce Low socio-economic status Mature or young age Residing in a rural or remote area Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander New migrant Scholarship applications are now open and close on 22 July 2022. Scholarships will be awarded to successful applicants from either of the following intakes: Study Period 5 – commencing 29 August 2022 Study Period 6 – commencing 31 October 2022 Full details about the scholarship scheme, including eligibility and terms and conditions, can be found here: www.kaplanprofessional.edu.au/women-in-finance-scholarship.