Scholarships

GGFOA offers the following scholarships to members on an annual basis:

  • Jim Pehrson Annual Conference Scholarships (2) – GGFOA offers scholarships covering conference registration and loading for two (2) members to attend the annual conference. The 2026 conference will be held in Savannah, Georgia, from October 11 to October 14, 2026.

    • The application deadline for the Jim Pehrson Annual Conference Scholarship is July 31, 2026.

  • Level I Certified Finance Officer Scholarships (3) – GGFOA offers three (3) scholarships to support participants in completing the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s Level I Local Government Finance Officer Certification Program.

    • The application deadline for the Level l Local Certified Finance Officer Scholarship is August 31, 2026. 

  • Level II Certified Finance Officer Scholarship (1) – GGFOA offers one (1) scholarship to support participants in completing the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s Level II Local Government Finance Officer Certification Program. 

    • The application deadline for the Level II Local Certified Finance Officer Scholarship is August 31, 2026.

  • Annual College Scholarship (1) – GGFOA offers one scholarship of up to $1,500 annually to a student pursuing studies in public finance, public administration, or a related career in government finance.

    • The application deadline for the Annual College Scholarship is September 1, 2026.

  • Certified Public Financial Officer (CPFO) Scholarship (2) – GFOA offers two (2) scholarships to assist members in completing the CPFO program. The CPFO program typically takes approximately two years to complete.

    • Please note that Georgia State University's Center for State and Local Finance has temporarily paused these courses. 

  • Public Finance Leadership Academy (PFLA) Scholarships (2) – This scholarship covers tuition for two (2) qualified GGFOA members to attend the six-month cohort program developed by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and GGFOA. PFLA equips new and emerging public sector financial management leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully manage the fiscal affairs and activities of local government.

    • The application deadline for the PFLA Scholarship is September 1, 2026.

  • GGFOA/GFOA Leadership Academy Scholarship (1) – GGFOA offers an annual scholarship to cover registration, lodging, and travel expenses for one member to attend the week-long Leadership Academy at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, from November 15-20, 2026. The program is designed to enhance leadership and management skills.

    • The application deadline for the GGFOA/GFOA Leadership Academy Scholarship is September 12, 2026. 

  • Congratulations to 2025 scholarship recipients!

Scholarship Fundraising

Fundraising is essential to maintaining adequate funding levels for GGFOA scholarships. The GGFOA Scholarship/Awards Committee is pleased to announce that the 2024 Scholarship Committee raised $5,000 through raffle tickets sales to support GGFOA scholarships. In addition, East West Bank donated $3,000 toward the scholarship program. Thank you for your generosity!

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