SILA Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Securities and Insurance Licensing Association Foundation

Summary
- The SILA Foundation will award ten scholarships of $2,000 each to students preparing for careers in the insurance and securities industries. Awards may be used at any accredited post‑secondary college or university in the continental United States.

Who is eligible
To apply you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- Be pursuing one of these fields of study:
- Insurance / Compliance / Risk Management
- Economics
- Financial advisor / Financial planner / Broker / Stock trader
- Finance / Accounting / Actuarial Science
- General Business
- Business Administration
- Business Information
- Business / Management Information Systems
- Law / Paralegal
- Information Technology

Enrollment and work requirement (pick the option that fits you)
- Enrolled in at least 12 credit hours at an accredited post‑secondary school; OR
- Enrolled in at least 9 credit hours and employed part‑time (minimum 20 hours/week); OR
- Enrolled in at least 6 credit hours and employed full‑time (minimum 32 hours/week).

Required application materials
You must submit a completed and electronically signed SILA Foundation Scholarship Application during the application window (January 1–March 2, 2026), plus:
- A copy of an academic transcript demonstrating your GPA and supporting your field of study.
- If you are a high school senior: include your high school transcript now. If selected, you must provide your college/university fall enrollment schedule before funds are released.
- A letter of reference.
- Employment verification letter only if you are applying as a full‑time employee.

Important details — read this carefully
- Applications are accepted only between January 1 and March 2, 2026 (the online application is open for just 60 days each year).
- Scholarships are awarded for the upcoming school year.
- Recipients are selected based on the quality and substance of the application materials; evaluations and approvals are made by the SILA Foundation.
- If chosen, you must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (for example: U.S. passport, birth certificate, state driver’s license, or USCIS Permanent Resident Card).
- Award funds will be sent directly to recipients’ schools in September.

Application tips (from a teacher)
- Prepare electronic copies of all documents before you begin the online application (PDFs work best): transcript, letter of reference, and employment verification if required.
- Ask your reference well in advance so their letter is ready within the 60‑day window.
- If you are a high school senior, confirm your college enrollment and be ready to submit your fall schedule if awarded.
- Double‑check that your GPA and field of study meet the requirements before applying.

If you want, I can help you draft a checklist, review your materials, or suggest what a strong letter of reference should emphasize.