Scholarships

We are honored to be able to help students pursue their actuarial career through various scholarships!

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

The Organization of Latino Actuaries (OLA) awards academic scholarships to students who will be attending a US college/university next school year and are interested in the actuarial profession. Applications are open from January 1 to March 31 each year.

Applications are evaluated on various criteria including, but not limited to, academic performance, commitment to pursuing the actuarial profession, exam progress, work experience, and leadership experience. Finalists for the general scholarship are expected to be selected by July.

Thanks to our Gold and Platinum sponsors, winners receive awards of various amounts:

General scholarships: . The top student will receive the “OLA Cresta Scholarship”, which is a $7,500 award. In Spanish, “ola” means wave, and “cresta” is the crest (top) of the wave. With this award, OLA recognizes the top applicant in each cycle of OLA’s Academic Scholarships. Finalists for the general scholarship are not required to interview.

Academic scholarships are paid directly to the school.

We have awarded over $750,000 in the last eight years!

Applications are now open and close on March 31st, please apply at this link: 2026 Scholarship and Avanza Sponsorship – Organization of Latino Actuaries

Note that our High School Math Competition is now open with awards up to $3,000! If you know anyone in high school, please share the DESAFIANDO EL RIESGO link with them!

Questions? Below are answers to questions we have received: If your questions is not answered, submit your question anonymously HERE. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

FAQs

1. What is the maximum scholarship amount rewarded? $7,500 is awarded to one Cresta scholarship winner.

2. When will I know if I have been awarded a scholarship? Applicants will be notified if they have been awarded a scholarship around July 2026.

3. Do you award scholarships to students who are already enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, even if they applied last year? Yes, even if you applied in prior years as a college/university student or incoming undergraduate Freshman (whether or not you were awarded a scholarship), you can absolutely apply again this year!

4. Is this scholarship open to those who are new to OLA? Yes. Being previously involved in OLA is not a requirement to apply. We welcome a lot of students to OLA through our scholarship program!

5.Is this scholarship open to high school students? High school seniors enrolled in a U.S. college/university program for the 2026-2027 Academic Year are eligible to apply.

6.Can I apply even if graduate Spring or Summer 2026? No, unless you will be enrolled in another undergraduate or graduate program in the U.S. for the 2026-2027 academic year (beginning Fall 2026).

7. Are letters of recommendation required for this application? No.

8. Who can I contact if I have any follow up questions? You can reach out to us at [email protected]

ACTUARIAL EXAM SUPPORT

Need financial help to buy study material for your actuarial exams? OLA helps actuarial candidates with the cost of study exam material for their three first exams (exams outlined on the application).

We have a program aimed to support actuarial candidates who are pursuing the actuarial profession and have not yet begun to take exams. OLA awards a First Time Exam Taker Stipend to candidates who need financial support to get their actuarial exams started. OLA is happy to be able to lessen the financial burden for candidates who need this aid so that they can focus on studying! Apply HERE!

Not your first exam? Apply HERE!

Did you fail exam P or FM with a grade of 4 or 5 and are willing to try again? We got you! We will reimburse your exam fee! Apply HERE before you retake the exam!

Questions? Email us at [email protected]

TRAVEL SPONSORSHIPS

Travel with Latine Actuaries and aspiring actuaries (students and/or career changers) to Actuarial Events!

OLA awards one-time scholarships to candidates to attend conferences/conventions. OLA covers travel, lodging and event expenses. During these events, you will learn about the actuarial profession and network with credentialed actuaries, other actuarial prospects and actuarial employers! Participants have been successful in getting interviews and landing internships or full-time jobs at these events! OLA leadership members will mentor you before, during and after the events.

The conferences we are currently sponsoring members to attend are:

2026 OLA AVANZA Conference (travel sponsorship application currently open!)
Society of Actuaries (SOA)
Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS)
Conference of Consulting Actuaries (CCA)
IABA Conference

Questions? Email us at [email protected]