Molding the Next Generation of Financial Services

The CEEE NextGen Program provides Black/African American undergraduate students with an opportunity to attend the Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP). Students chosen as CEEE NextGen Scholars attend the conference at no cost, including travel and lodging.

Before the conference, students will be paired with a Financial Alliance for Representation and Empowerment (FARE) mentor and participate in virtual workshops. During the conference, students will engage in relevant seminars and inspiring sessions with a diverse community of financial services professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, and executives.

Once the conference is complete, students can access additional resources, apply for a designation scholarship, and continue to connect with The Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality.

When discussing the program, one previous participant stated, “It allows students to connect with individuals within the industry, but it also allows students to network with other students. That in itself creates an invaluable opportunity for them to continue their studies at school while having people they can reach out to that understand their journey and where they’re trying to go.”

Application Process

To be considered, students can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone they know through a form available on our website. Those accepted into the program will receive an email notification with additional details about the conference and the program expectations. Applications will open on January 26, 2026, and the submission deadline is February 27, 2026. Program slots are limited.

Eligibility Details

To be eligible, the student must:

• Be nominated by themselves or an instructor, supervisor, or mentor via this form
• Be a Black/African American, preferably enrolled at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), and be in good academic standing
• Be pursuing a business-related major or minor and demonstrate a strong interest in a financial services career
• Exhibit leadership potential and strong academic performance

Program Requirements

Accepted students must:

• Complete all program forms, including the CAAFP registration form  
• Complete a least one badge in the Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth program by June 24, 2026, if not already completed
• Participate in the pre-conference workshops, hosted in collaboration with FARE
• Attend the Conference of African American Financial Professionals in Chicago, IL from August 3–5, 2026

Important Dates

Students interested in the program must keep several key dates in mind as they participate in all aspects of the program:

• Applications Open: January 26, 2026
• Application Deadline: February 27, 2026 (Applications must be submitted via the official form)
• Award Notifications: March 2026
• Mentor Check-Ins: April–July 2026 (one virtual monthly meeting with FARE mentor)
• CAAFP: August 3–5, 2026

Questions

Questions relating to the CEEE NextGen Program can be directed to Tori Phillips, CEEE Program Director, at tori.phillips@theamericancollege.edu.

Learn More

More From The College

• Apply or nominate a student for the program
• Check out Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth
• Learn more about the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality