Accountancy Opportunities Program
Preparing tomorrow’s accounting leaders today
The Accountancy Opportunities program helps junior-level accounting majors explore graduate accounting education at Gies College of Business.
As a participant, you’ll have access to comprehensive support that can boost your preparedness for the Master of Accounting Science (MAS) program.
Activities
- Automatic enrollment in the Academy for Accountancy Excellence and Innovation, a self-paced course that will familiarize you with core technical and communication skills
- First-rate CPA Exam preparation and resources
- MAS information session
Benefits
- Mentorship from faculty
- Networking opportunities with peers
- 1:1 coaching
- MAS application fee waiver
Funding
The Accountancy Opportunities program offers opportunities to help you pay for your Master of Accounting Science (MAS) degree, including the chance at a potential full tuition waiver and $10,000 stipend.
While we cannot guarantee funding will be granted to you, we offer many scholarship and funding opportunities for MAS program applicants that you will be eligible to apply for.
Application Criteria
Application window
To be considered, please submit your application and all supporting materials by the deadlines posted below.
- Applications open: May 15, 2026
- Applications close: June 15, 2026
Eligibility requirements
The Accountancy Opportunities program is open to undergraduates who have completed their junior year at an accredited four-year undergraduate institution in the US and who are interested in the Gies Business Master of Accounting Science (MAS) degree for the 2027-2028 academic year.
To be eligible, candidates must:
- Have a 3.0 accountancy major and cumulative GPA or higher
- Complete an enrichment and leadership course online (if coming from an undergraduate institution outside of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
- Be a US citizen, permanent resident, or approved domestic applicant
- Meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Can describe how their educational and sociocultural experiences or geographic and family background can enhance graduate study in accountancy at Gies College of Business
- Can describe their sustained commitment to diversity and inclusion in the academic, professional, or civic realm through their work experience, volunteer engagement, or leadership of student or community organizations in a way that directly contributes to the quality of the intellectual environment of Gies Business and the university
- Have experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances
- Are the first generation in their family to attend a four-year college
Note: Full-time employees of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are not eligible.
Ready to apply? Start your Accountancy Opportunities application here.
Terms
Admission to the Accountancy Opportunities program does not guarantee admission to the Gies Business MAS program or any degree program offered by Gies College of Business and/or the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
To be considered for admittance to the MAS program, Accountancy Opportunities participants must complete the application process for the MAS program.
Candidates accepted to the Accountancy Opportunities program must complete and go through MAS program.
The selection process
When you apply to the Accountancy Opportunities program, we’ll evaluate your application using the following criteria:
- Your record of undergraduate academic achievement (for example, your grade point average, honors, or other designations)
- Your scholarly potential
- Your potential to contribute to an inclusive learning environment
- Your commitment to diversity, access, and inclusion
All materials included in the application package will assist the committee in making their final assessment. We’ll consider your personal statements, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and any interviews you take part in during the application process.