Scholarships & Awards

GFOAz has developed the following scholarships and awards to ensure that members are recognized for outstanding service and have the opportunity to challenge themselves by participating in professional development programs.


GFOAz Life Membership

GFOAz Lifetime Membership is conferred on retired members who have provided distinguished service to local government and who have made lasting and meaningful contributions to GFOAz and the profession of government finance. This honor is conferred on retired members at the Winter Conference.

Click here to download nomination form for GFOAz Lifetime Membership.  
Nominations for Lifetime Membership open in November and close in December.

Lifetime Members:
Jerry Hart 
Mindy Russell

GFOAz State Scholarships

The Government Finance Officers Association of Arizona (GFOAz) awards four scholarships to the state association’s winter conference. Four recipients will receive up to $500 to be used toward reimbursement for: registration, lodging and travel.

Winter: Click here for further details and to view the application.

Apply by January 5, 2024

GFOA Annual Conference Scholarship

The Government Finance Officers Association of Arizona (GFOAz) awards one scholarship to attend the GFOA annual conference. One GFOAz active member is eligible to receive a $3,000 reimbursement scholarship for registration, lodging, and travel for the conference.

Click here for further details and to view the application.

Apply by December 8, 2023 

GFOA Leadership Academy at the College of Charleston 

GFOAz awards two $2,100 scholarships for the GFOA Leadership Academy program at the College of Charleston every other year. This program is open to: Finance Directors, Assistant Finance Directors, Treasurers, Department Managers, City Managers, and Assistant City Managers. Attendees completing the GFOA Leadership Academy can earn approximately 30 CPEs through participation. 

Eligibility:

  • Must have current and paid GFOA Membership
  • Must be current GFOAz Active or Retired member

Applications for the 2023 Leadership Academy will open on the GFOA website June 15, 2023 and close August 31, 2023. Applicants selected to participate in the program will be notified by GFOA no later than September 15, 2023 and those admitted will be required to submit tuition payment by October 13, 2023.  The 2023 Leadership Academy is scheduled for November 12-17, 2023. After applying on the GFOA website, please send a copy of your application to GFOAz at info@gfoaz.org  for scholarship consideration.

Click here for further details and to view the application.

GFOA Application Deadline: Apply by August 31, 2023
GFOAz Application Deadline: Apply by September 8, 2023 

GFOA Certified Public Finance Officer Enrollment Scholarship

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is providing certified public finance officer (CPFO) enrollment scholarships for GFOAz to award to its members. GFOAz will award up to two enrollment scholarships annually to cover the $600.00 enrollment fee for one year of enrollment in GFOA’s CPFO program. Enrollment costs covered include five exam attempts, two free GFOA e-learning webinars, and access to a CPFO Exam Prep product with over twenty recorded seminars. The program’s structure allows candidates to earn the CPFO credential within two years for a total cost of $1,200. Annual enrollment in the program is required until a candidate passes all seven exams.

GFOA Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) program. Read more about the CPFO program here.

Eligibility:

  • Must have current and paid GFOA Membership
  • Must be current GFOAz Active or Retired member
  • Must not be currently enrolled in CPFO program

Click here for further details and to view the application.

Apply by March 15, 2024.

GFOAz Student Internship and Scholarships Program

The GFOAz Internship/Scholarships Program was created in 2015 and will honor Arizona students who aspire to a career in public finance. Two GFOAz internship and scholarship will be awarded to an incoming junior or senior enrolled at Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University or the University of Arizona.

To be eligible, students must be working on an accounting, finance, economics, business or business-related major. Additional criteria for eligibility are listed in the attached Student Internship/Scholarships Information and application form. Applications are due in April. GFOAz will notify the student selected for its internship/scholarship award in May.

The GFOAz scholars will have the opportunity for a paid internship with a local city, town, or county where he/she will contribute towards a broad range of activities within the finance department. The GFOAz Internship/Scholarship Program also includes a cash scholarship which will be awarded upon successful completion of the internship.

Click here for internship/scholarship program application.
Scholarship application opens in October and closes in April.

Click here for more information on the scholarship including host application.
Host application deadline opens in September and closes in April.

Click here to view the GFOAz Privacy Policy. If you have any questions on the scholarships or the application process, please contact League Staff at info@gfoaz.org or 602-258-5786.

GFOAz Corporate Partners