Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

Overview The Ritchie‑Jennings Memorial Scholarship helps students further their education and launch careers in anti‑fraud fields. Recipients also receive one year of ACFE membership. Awards of $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 and $2,000 are paid directly to the recipient’s college or university. Background Created in 1992 to support students who had shown achievement in fraud‑related studies, the program was renamed in 1998 to honor ACFE members Larry Jennings, CFE, and Tracy Ritchie, CFE. Both were among five ACFE colleagues killed in the terrorist attack in Karachi, Pakistan, on November 14, 1997. Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA, founder and chairman of the ACFE, noted that the two men “exemplified the true spirit of our organization with their devotion to detecting, investigating and deterring fraud and white‑collar crime.” Who Should Apply (Eligibility) To be considered, applicants must submit a completed scholarship application, official academic transcript(s), and two letters of recommendation from either a professor or a professional who can attest to the applicant’s abilities and character. Applicants must also: - Intend to pursue a career in fraud examination or a closely related anti‑fraud profession. - Have a declared major or minor in accounting, business administration, finance, criminal justice, or another discipline closely related to fraud studies. - Be enrolled at an accredited four‑year college or university and remain enrolled through the 2026–2027 academic year. - Undergraduates: be registered for at least 9 semester hours (or equivalent) per term and be a junior, senior, or past the midpoint of their sophomore year at the time of application. - Graduate students: be registered for at least 6 semester hours (or equivalent) per term. Who Is Not Eligible The following are ineligible to apply: - Previous recipients of this scholarship. - Students enrolled only in high school, junior college, or community college programs. - Undergraduates who are in their freshman year only. - Students who will graduate in 2026 (applicants must be enrolled through the 2026–2027 academic year). - Current ACFE chapter directors or officers. Application Timeline (2026–2027 Academic Year) - Application period opens: September 1, 2025 - Application deadline: February 2, 2026 - Recipients announced: April 30, 2026 - Awards distributed to institutions: May 7, 2026 How to Apply The application window for the 2026–2027 awards is open. Eligible students can complete the online application via the ACFE Foundation’s scholarship portal on the ACFE website. Selection Process and Non‑Discrimination Policy The ACFE Foundation selects recipients each year based on: - A fully completed application - Demonstrated interest, activities, goals, and intended career path in fraud‑related fields - Academic performance as shown on transcripts - Strength of recommendation letters The ACFE Foundation is committed to equal opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or sexual orientation in any of its programs or activities.