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Examination Fee Financial Aid Program
Financial Aid Overview
The Examination Fee Financial Aid Program (EFFA) was established by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) in an effort to assist Texas applicants who took and passed the first section of the CPA Exam and may have a financial need to pay for additional CPA Exams. A Texas applicant who takes and passes the first section of the CPA Exam after the implementation date of enabling Board Rules may be eligible to apply for the EFFA program. Applicants will need to complete the EFFA Application and provide a detailed statement, along with documentation that substantiates the financial need. Applicants will also need to complete the Application for Texas Identification Number and the Direct Deposit Authorization Form .
Please email all completed forms and documentation to exam@tsbpa.texas.gov within 90 days after you receive the results of passing the first section of the CPA Exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Examination Fee Financial Aid Program (EFFA)?
The Examination Fee Financial Aid Program (EFFA) was established by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) in an effort to assist Texas accounting students who took and passed the first section of the CPA Exam and may have a financial need to pay for additional CPA Exams.
Who is eligible for the EFFA?
A Texas accounting student who applied for and passed the first section of the CPA Exam after October 10, 2024 (the implementation date of enabling Board Rules), may be eligible to apply for the EFFA program.
Who is a Texas accounting student?
A person who is attending a Texas institution of higher education and intends to take the CPA Exam as a Texas applicant may be considered a Texas accounting student.
What is the benefit of applying for the EFFA?
A Texas accounting student who has completed the education requirements to take the CPA Exam may find the cost of the exam to be a financial hardship. The TSBPA offers support to individuals by reimbursing the cost of the exam fees paid to NASBA for the first section passed after the implementation date of enabling Rules. Other application or eligibility fees, rescheduling fees, and other costs that might be incurred by preparing and taking the CPA Exam are not reimbursable.
What is considered a financial need?
The TSBPA identified a number of categories that may be a financial need for a Texas accounting student. These are listed on the EFFA application.
What documentation is required to apply for the EFFA?
The Texas accounting student is required to complete the EFFA application and provide documentation that substantiates the financial need. The documentation may be considered after you take and pass the first section of the CPA Exam. Requests for reimbursement of fees for subsequent CPA Exams will not be considered.
Additionally, the Texas accounting student will need to complete the Application for Texas Identification Number and the Direct Deposit Authorization Form. The Direct Deposit Authorization Form may be omitted only if a valid explanation why they cannot receive direct deposit is provided.
Please email all completed forms and documentation to exam@tsbpa.texas.gov
How will I know if I will be reimbursed for my exam fees?
An email response will be sent to you when the reimbursement of the exam fee is approved.
How long will the payment take?
Once you receive an approval email, you can expect an additional 10 business days before the payment is disbursed. We cannot estimate mail time for anyone who does not use direct deposit.
Is there a way to track the status of my reimbursement?
Yes. You can choose to receive an Advance Payment Notification email alert when a warrant or a direct deposit payment is posted to your account. More info from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
May I apply for the EFFA program before I take the CPA Examination?
No. The EFFA program is designed to reimburse you for the exam fees you paid to NASBA for the first section of the CPA Examination that you take and pass.
When may a Texas accounting student apply to take the CPA Examination?
A Texas accounting student with an approved Application of Intent may submit an Eligibility Application to take a section of the CPA Exam while they are attending classes. The Eligibility Application received by the TSBPA is valid for 180 days and the Notice to Schedule (NTS) from NASBA must be received while the Texas accounting student is attending classes.
When may a Texas accounting student take the CPA Examination?
A Texas accounting student may take a section of the CPA Exam before or after completing the TSBPA education requirements for CPA certification, provided the NTS was received while the Texas accounting student was attending classes.
May I apply for the EFFA program if I am reimbursed by my employer?
No. Texas accounting students who are reimbursed by an employer or a third-party for the cost of the exam fees paid to NASBA are not eligible for reimbursement through the EFFA program.
I received notification that I cannot receive my reimbursement payment due to a “warrant hold.” What does this mean? What do I need to do?
You should refer to the letter your received from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and their explanations of the warrant process. You must contact the agency named in your letter to resolve the debt as soon as possible. If not, your reimbursement payment from the TSBPA will be applied to the debt. Even if the payment is fully applied to the prior debt, and you receive no money, the reimbursement is still considered to have been paid to you.
Is there a deadline for submitting the documentation for the EFFA program?
Yes. The documentation should be submitted no later than 90 days after you receive the results of passing the first section of the CPA Exam.
Where can I get more information about the EFFA program?
The Qualifications Team at the TSBPA is available to respond to your questions about the EFFA program. Please contact a team member at (512) 305-7851 or email exam@tsbpa.texas.gov for additional information.
Financial Aid Forms
