Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program: Advancing Anti-Fraud Careers

Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program: Advancing Your Anti-Fraud Career

Table of Content

Overview of Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
Eligibility Criteria
Award Details
Application Process
Selection Criteria and Non-Discrimination Policy

The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program offers an exceptional opportunity for students aspiring to build careers in fraud examination and related anti-fraud fields. This scholarship program not only provides financial assistance but also supports the growth of anti-fraud professionals through a year-long membership with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). With scholarship awards ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, this program helps students pursue their educational and career goals in anti-fraud disciplines.

History of the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship

Established in 1992, the scholarship program was created to recognize and support students who demonstrated excellence in fraud-related studies. In 1998, it was renamed the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship in honor of Larry Jennings, CFE, and Tracy Ritchie, CFE, two ACFE members tragically killed in the 1997 terrorist attacks in Karachi, Pakistan. Both Jennings and Ritchie were known for their dedication to detecting, investigating, and preventing fraud and white-collar crime. The scholarship stands as a tribute to their commitment to the anti-fraud field, with the aim of inspiring future generations to follow in their footsteps.

Eligibility Criteria

The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students who have a demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in fraud examination, anti-fraud, or related professions. To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:

Academic Requirements:
- Students must have a declared major or minor in accounting, business administration, finance, criminal justice, or a related field that focuses on fraud prevention.
- Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 9 semester hours per term and must be in the second half of their sophomore year, or a junior or senior, at the time of application.
- Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 semester hours per term.
- Students must be enrolled in an accredited, four-year university or college through the 2025-2026 academic year.
Additional Documentation:
- A completed scholarship application.
- Official transcript(s) from the current institution.
- Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), or someone who can speak to the student’s professional capabilities.

Award Details

The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship offers the following financial awards:

$10,000
$7,500
$5,000
$2,000

These awards are paid directly to the recipient’s university or college to assist with tuition fees and other educational expenses. Additionally, recipients receive a full year of ACFE membership, which provides valuable resources and networking opportunities in the anti-fraud community.

Application Process

The application period for the 2025-2026 academic year is currently open, and eligible students can apply through the online application system. The schedule for the scholarship application is as follows:

Application Period Opens: September 9, 2024
Application Deadline: February 7, 2025
Recipients Announced: April 18, 2025
Awards Distributed: May 1, 2025

Students can complete their application by visiting the official scholarship website and submitting the required documents. The selection committee will review applications based on the student’s fraud-related interests, activities, academic performance, and recommendations.

Non-Eligibility

The scholarship is not open to the following individuals:

Past scholarship award recipients.
High school, junior college, or community college students.
Undergraduate students who are not in the second half of their sophomore year.
Students graduating in 2025 who will not be enrolled through the 2025-2026 academic year.
ACFE chapter directors or officers.

Selection Criteria and Non-Discrimination Policy

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:

A completed application.
Fraud-related interests and career goals.
Academic achievement, as demonstrated by transcripts.
Letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s qualifications and dedication to the anti-fraud field.

The ACFE Foundation adheres to a non-discrimination policy and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation in its programs or activities.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply