Four Penn State World Campus students majoring in finance received scholarships that will aid in their access to and completion of industry exams.
The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association awarded the scholarships as part of its ongoing commitment to the education of investment professionals in alternative investments through its Academic Partnership program.
The Bachelor of Science in Finance is offered online in partnership with the Penn State Behrend Black School of Business through Penn State World Campus.
The four students received $100 scholarships, which help offset exam costs. The recipients are Brittany Anderson of Houston, Texas; Divine Cook of Baltimore, Maryland; Ruben Marin Jr. of New York; and Thomas Strugar of Uppsala, Sweden. One Behrend campus student, Aruj Bhargava of Sacramento, California, also received a scholarship and will join the others in preparation for the August 2022 Level 1 exam.
CAIA is an industry standard in recognized credentials for professionals managing and analyzing alternative investments. Students must pass two exams to gain membership status. More than 12,000 business professionals worldwide are members, according to CAIA’s website.
Dr. Greg Filbeck, the director of the Black School of Business, said business programs must meet high academic criteria for CAIA admittance.
“Our program carries prestige in its acceptance,” Filbeck said. “Fewer than 40 universities in the United States and fewer than 90 universities worldwide are accepted members of the Academic Partnership program. Students selected for scholarships meet the highest criteria, including minimum GPA standards, potential for success in the program, and stated career goals.”
Filbeck said selected students are also eligible for additional discounts through financial education provider Schweser, which cuts exam registration costs by more than $1,000. The exams cover a variety of industry topics, including characteristics of alternative asset class strategies and portfolio management concepts, according to the CAIA website.
Students prepare for the exam through Penn State’s Alternative Investments course, which is offered through the undergraduate finance program.
The Bachelor of Science in Finance is an AACSB–accredited program that prepares students to pursue or advance a career in banking, financial analysis, security analysis, corporate finance, or personal finance planning. This program offers a variety of extracurricular activities that support a student’s career path and goals.
Learn more about the opportunities offered in the Bachelor of Science in Finance program.