Why is the MSL Business School offering these Merit Scholarships?

Michael Siaw Larbi (MSL) started writing the ICAG exam in his 2nd University year (Level 200) at the University of Ghana Business School, writing 16 papers in under 2 years and completing the ICAG exam with first time passes in his 3rd University year (Level 300) at 21 years of age. He completed the ICAG qualification, graduating as the Overall Best Candidate at the Final Level (Level 3), as well as winning the Overall Best Candidate awards for the remaining earlier ICAG Exam Levels.

Meanwhile, for his Undergraduate program at the University of Ghana Business School, he graduated the following year after completing the ICAG program, with First Class Honours, as the Valedictorian and Overall Best Graduating Student that year with a Final Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.94 (out of 4.0) - the highest GPA that year.

These scholarships therefore provide an opportunity for MSL to give back, in a way that is meant to support highly driven and exceptional young students in their quest to obtain the ICAG qualification. You can read more about MSL’s academic journey here.

Important Note: The MSL Business School does not issue these scholarships through any other individual or entity. Please completely disregard any person (individual or entity) who proposes to offer any form of “assistance” or “pre-approval” to obtain any of our scholarships. The exact process to apply for our scholarships can be found on this website (see below). This is the only process that should be followed, and no third-party involvement is needed to guarantee a place in our scholarship program.

Which Merit Scholarships are available?

There are currently two (2) scholarship categories available on offer:

1. The Tertiary Achievers Scholarship Program - this aims to subsidise the cost of obtaining the ICAG qualification for high-achieving students pursuing the ICAG qualification concurrently (at the same time) with their Undergraduate Degree Programs. This scholarship may also be offered to exceptional applicants (including graduates) who do not meet the full requirements for the Future Leaders Scholarship Program.

2. The Future Leaders Scholarship Program - this aims to encourage high-achieving recent University graduates to pursue a career in Accounting and Finance, starting with the ICAG qualification.

How do you apply?

1. Read the eligibility criteria for each scholarship program below.

2. If you meet the eligibility criteria, send an email to scholarship@michaelsiawlarbi.com stating the specific scholarship being applied for, and attach all the required documents stated in the eligibility criteria below.

3. Your email should state the full name of the person who referred you (if applicable).

4. Your application will be reviewed, with successful scholarship applicants receiving an email on how to proceed to register to study under the scholarship program. Note: Meeting the eligibility criteria below does not automatically entitle you to a scholarship.

5. For the July 2025 ICAG exam sitting, all scholarship applications have to be submitted before 6 April 2025.

The Tertiary Achievers Scholarship Program

1. There are a limited number of scholarships available, which will be offered purely on the basis of merit.

2. Eligible students are students under the age of 27 years, currently studying for the ICAG Professional Qualification concurrently (at the same time) with an Undergraduate degree program in a Ghanaian University, with exceptional academic performance in their Undergraduate program. Specifically, eligible students are students who currently have an academic standing of

   • First Class Honours; or

   • A very high Second Class Honours (Upper Division)

3. The total scholarship benefit is as follows:

   • 40% tuition fee scholarship for all selected applicants

4. Applicants would have to submit the below documents as part of the application process:

   • Scanned copy of the most recent official academic transcript showing current academic standing

   • A scanned copy of a student’s ID card or acceptable form of identification showing proof of current studentship as an Undergraduate with a Ghanaian University

   • Any valid form of identification showing proof of meeting the age requirement

5. Students under this scholarship category have to maintain their Undergraduate academic standing in order to continue benefiting from this scholarship.

6. Students under this scholarship who complete their Undergraduate program while still writing the ICAG exams, and who meet the eligibility criteria under the Future Leaders Scholarship Program (see below), will be migrated to that scholarship program to benefit from the full (100%) tuition fee scholarship.

7. This scholarship may also be offered to exceptional applicants (including graduates) who do not meet the full requirements for the Future Leaders Scholarship Program.

The Future Leaders Scholarship Program

1. There are a limited number of scholarships available, which will be offered purely on the basis of merit.

2. Eligible students are students who have recently completed an undergraduate program of study in a Ghanaian University with exceptional academic performance.

3. Specifically, this covers students who have attained either Valedictorian/Overall Best Graduating Student status OR the below Academic Classification in a Ghanaian University

   • Final Grade Point Average (GPA) (scale of 4.0) = 3.80 and above

   • Final Grade Point Average (GPA) (scale of 5.0) = 4.80 and above

   • Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA) (out of 100) = 78 and above

     For the avoidance of doubt, a Valedictorian/Overall Best Graduating Student who does not meet the above GPA or CWA requirements does not qualify for this scholarship.

4. Please note that meeting the minimum GPA/CWA requirements above does not automatically entitle an applicant to the Future Leaders Scholarship. We receive many strong scholarship applications, and each application is reviewed on its merits, relative to other scholarship applicants.

5. The total scholarship benefit is a full (100%) tuition fee scholarship at the MSL Business School for the ICAG Program

6. Applicants would have to submit the below documents as part of the application process:

   • Scanned copy of official academic transcript

   • Scanned copy of final Undergraduate degree certificate

   • Scanned copy of letter from University notifying candidate of selection as prize winner/Valedictorian (where applicable)

7. Candidates from all Undergraduate backgrounds are welcome to apply

8. Beneficiaries under this scholarship have to obtain a first time pass in their ICAG exams in order to continue benefiting from this scholarship.

9. All applicants under this scholarship must attempt the below number of papers at a single exam sitting:

   • Level 3 - all four (4) papers at Level 3 have to be attempted in a single exam sitting/diet

   • Level 2 - a minimum of four (4) Level 2 papers have to be taken at a single exam sitting, unless the candidate has less than four (4) papers outstanding at Level 2, in which case the candidate can take the remaining Level 2 papers outstanding.

10. All Level 2 candidates awarded this scholarship are encouraged to work towards attaining a pass mark of at least 60%, in at least half of the papers attempted at Level 2. This may be used as a factor to assess continuing eligibility for the Future Leaders Scholarship Program at Level 3.