Empowering Advisors with IWI's Enhanced Certification Scholarship Fund

Denver, CO — May 12, 2020 — Earlier this year Investments & Wealth Institute unveiled a new Scholarship Fund designed to help address financial hardships and underrepresented segments within the financial services industry such as women and minorities by offsetting the costs of the Institute’s advanced certification programs. Since the launch in January 2020, the Institute has awarded over 50 scholarships to help eligible individuals who are passionate about growing their career through advanced education. To further serve and support investment and wealth professionals during these uncertain times, the Institute has announced that it will double the amount of financial aid offered through the Scholarship Fund over the next several months. In addition, it has started an Advisors-in-Transition Scholarship Fund to assist those advisors who face disruption in their business from the COVID-19 crisis. Advisors-in-Transition scholarships up to $2,000 USD will be offered to advisors who have been laid off or who can demonstrate financial hardship.

“Investments & Wealth Institute believes all advisors should have the same opportunity when it comes to their access to specialized education, this Scholarship Fund is designed to reduce the financial barrier to entry for eligible professionals who meet the requirements to pursue advanced designations,” said Sean R. Walters, CAE^®, Chief Executive Officer, Investments & Wealth Institute. “Research clearly shows the value of investment, wealth, and/or retirement management specialized expertise and skills to the client, the professional, and the firm. By investing in education, higher standards, and enhanced capabilities, women, diverse professionals, and next generation leaders will elevate their personal and professional careers within the financial services sector.” 

Since the crisis began, the Institute has unveiled a variety of resources and initiatives to support advisors, including a new Exceptional Advisor Webinar Series, designed to feature experts who will help analyze facts and inform decisions, especially in the face of dramatic headlines and uncertainty; additional Exceptional Advisor Podcasts episodes highlighting “Exceptional Advisors in Extraordinary Times,” these episodes provide insight from advisory professionals around the country; a variety of behavioral finance resources, education, and content all available in a Turbulent Times Toolkit; and a new package of premier-quality CE offerinpractical insights, and featuring some of the best speakers assembled for ACE 2020 Boston, delivered online via ACE Unplugged.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact on many aspects of our lives, and our clients lives. It is great to be part of an organization that is working to expand representation and is stepping up to support advisors in this unique time,” said Hatem Zarrouk, CIMA^®,VP National Sales, Relationship Management & Service Delivery, National Bank Independent Network; and Chair, Canadian Advisory Board, Investments & Wealth Institute.

Scholarship Eligibility
The mission of the Investments & Wealth Institute is to deliver premier investment consulting and wealth management credentials and world class education, in order to encourage the practice of high standards of professional conduct and improve the overall competency and professionalism of advisors. Qualified Individuals can receive a scholarship towards one of the Institute’s three certification programs.  Scholarships are available for qualified individuals who can demonstrate financial need and/or are from underrepresented populations related to gender, race, ethnicity, and age may receive scholarship assistance underwriting the costs of Certified Investment Management Analyst^® (CIMA^®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor^® (CPWA^®), and Retirement Management Advisor^® (RMA^®) certifications.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the scholarship before applying for their desired scholarship program.

Donate to the Scholarship Fund
You can help support your fellow advisors with your donation to the Investments & Wealth Certification Scholarship Fund. Impact the industry by helping underrepresented advisors and those in need of financial assistance by donating today.