Deadline:
February 02, 2026
Location(s)
Worldwide
Students Worldwide
Overview
The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship provides an opportunity for students to advance their education and anti-fraud career paths. Additionally, it supports their anti-fraud interests by providing a full year of ACFE membership. Award amounts are $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 and $2,000 and are paid directly to the recipient’s university or college.
Details
The scholarship was named after two members of the ACFE, Larry Jennings, CFE, CPA, 49; and Tracy Ritchie, CFE, CPA, 41; both of Houston, Texas. They were among five people fatally wounded when terrorists in Karachi, Pakistan fired upon their vehicle on November 14, 1997. All five were employees of Houston-based Union Texas Petroleum Holdings Inc. Mr. Ritchie served as senior audit supervisor and Mr. Jennings served as audit manager for the company. They were en route to Union Texas' Karachi office.
Scholarships are awarded annually on the basis of:
- Completed scholarship application.
- Fraud-related interests, activities, goals and desired career path.
- Overall academic achievement demonstrated by transcripts.
- Letters of recommendation.
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.
How to Apply
The scholarship application period for the 2025-2026 academic year is closed. The scholarship application period for the 2026-2027 academic year will open in September 2025:
- Application Period Opens - September 1, 2025
- Application Deadline - February 2, 2026
- Recipients Announced - April 30, 2026
- Awards Distributed - May 7, 2026
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible students must submit a completed scholarship application, official transcript(s), and two letters of recommendation from either a professor or someone who knows them on a professional level.
* Please note that it is recommended at least one letter be from a CFE. *
Eligibility Requirements
Interested students must demonstrate a desire to pursue a career in fraud examination or similar anti-fraud profession and:
- Have a declared major or minor in accounting, business administration, finance, criminal justice or similar fraud-related discipline.
- Be currently enrolled at an accredited, four-year college or university and be enrolled through the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Undergraduates must be enrolled in 9 semester hours (or equivalent) per term and must be a junior, senior, or at least in the second half of their sophomore year when applying.
- Graduates must be enrolled in 6 semester hours (or equivalent) per term.
Non-eligibility
- Past scholarship award recipients.
- High school, junior college or community college students.
- Undergraduates that are only in their freshman year
- College or university students graduating in 2026 (must be enrolled through 2027).
- ACFE chapter directors or officers.
Dates
Deadline: February 02, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
