Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
Introduction
The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship helps students further their education and advance careers in anti-fraud professions. Recipients also receive a one-year ACFE membership. Scholarship awards of $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 and $2,000 are paid directly to the winner’s college or university.
Congratulations to our 2025–2026 Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship recipients.
Background
Created in 1992 to support students who showed achievement in fraud-related study, the program was renamed in 1998 in memory of ACFE members Larry Jennings, CFE, and Tracy Ritchie, CFE. Both men were among five people killed in the terrorist attacks in Karachi, Pakistan, on November 14, 1997. “Both men exemplified the true spirit of our organization with their devotion to detecting, investigating and deterring fraud and white-collar crime,” said Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA, ACFE founder and chairman.
Who Should Apply
Applicants must be committed to pursuing a career in fraud examination or a related anti-fraud field and meet the following academic and enrollment requirements:
- Have a declared major or minor in accounting, business administration, finance, criminal justice, or a comparable fraud-related discipline.
- Be enrolled at an accredited, four-year college or university and remain enrolled through the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Undergraduate students must be registered for at least 9 semester hours (or equivalent) per term and be a junior, senior, or at minimum in the latter half of their sophomore year at the time of application.
- Graduate students must be enrolled for at least 6 semester hours (or equivalent) per term.
Required Application Materials
To be considered, applicants must submit:
- A completed scholarship application.
- Official academic transcript(s).
- Two letters of recommendation from either a professor or a professional who can attest to the applicant’s qualifications.
Who Is Not Eligible
The following individuals are ineligible:
- Previous recipients of the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship.
- High school, junior college, or community college students.
- Undergraduates who are only in their freshman year.
- Students scheduled to graduate in 2026 (applicants must be enrolled through 2027).
- ACFE chapter directors or officers.
Application Window and Key Dates
The application period for the 2026–2027 academic year is open online. Important dates:
- Application period opens: September 1, 2025
- Application deadline: February 2, 2026
- Recipients announced: April 30, 2026
- Awards distributed: May 7, 2026
Selection Process and Equal Opportunity Statement
The ACFE Foundation selects scholarship recipients annually based on the completeness of the application, demonstrated fraud-related interests and activities, stated career goals in the anti-fraud field, academic achievement as shown on transcripts, and the strength of recommendation letters. The ACFE Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, or sexual orientation in any of its programs or activities.