Applications for 2026-2027 Open January 5 - February 7, 2026!
*UG: Undergraduate Students *GR: Graduate Students
Applications for 2026-2027 Open January 5 - February 7, 2026!
*UG: Undergraduate Students *GR: Graduate Students
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Award $3000 - $5000 to 1 or more Students
In recognition of Professor Emeritus Stan Deal's 25 years of teaching at APU, this scholarship was established. Stan Deal came to Azusa Pacific University as an adjunct in 1984 and became a full-time faculty member in 1986. His focus has been teaching principles of financial and managerial accounting, intermediate accounting, and federal taxation at the undergraduate level.
Award of $3000 - $5000 for one year.
Eligibility Requirements:
Enrolled in APU accounting program in the School of Business and Management (Preference given to accounting majors)
Be enrolled or have taken Intermediate Accounting I
Averaging a GPA of 3.5 or above
Demonstrate leadership and professionalism
Completion of Scholarship Application
Interview with Scholarship Committee, if requested
Award $2000 - $3000 to 1 or more Students
Gabriel De La Rosa is an audit partner and an SEC reviewing partner in KPMG’s Technology Media & Telecommunications practice and has served as either the audit partner of SEC reviewing partner on several IPOs.
Award of $2000- $3000 for one year.
The eligible student will:
Be enrolled in APU accounting program in the School of Business and Management (Preference given to accounting majors)
Be from socio economic backgrounds that are substantially under-represented in the accounting profession as determined by, for example, the AICPA (American Institute for Certified Public Accountants), and within that group preference will be given to first-generation college students
Have overcome economic and/or educational hardships, or students who have demonstrated leadership experience in economically or educationally underserved communities
GPA of 3.0 or above
Award $1000 to 1 student
This award is in honor of Mr. Del Goehner, to benefit undergraduate accounting students at Azusa Pacific University. Del, a CPA, an accounting firm owner, and a professor (at Pasadena College, Hanoi University, and for 14 years, at Azusa Pacific University), was known for his dedication to his work and commitment to integrity, faithfulness, and trustworthiness. He always sought to serve others, being thoughtful and caring in giving advice. He was actively involved in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Rotary International, Lake Avenue Church, and Sammamish Presbyterian Church. Del and his beloved wife, Elaine, an APU Nursing faculty, shared a beautiful marriage of 59 years until Lord called him home in October 2022.
Award of $1000 for one year.
Eligibility Requirements:
Enrolled in APU accounting program in the School of Business and Management
Averaging a GPA of 3.3 or above
Undergraduate Junior
Award $2000 to 1 student
“Not all who wander are lost.” This J.R.R. Tolkien quote was shared with Shannon Benstead ’16 by her RA at Engstrom Hall during her freshman year at APU. It became her battle cry, not only throughout her time at APU, but also for the rest of her life. Shannon was committed to wander with a purpose; seeking out distant lands, and to know and have compassion for people near and far. Shannon had a heart that sought after the Lord, and she prayed often for His help to do things that would have eternal significance.
While at APU, Shannon not only received a quality education, but also her experiences challenged her and grew her spiritually. She gained a deeper understanding of who she was in Christ, and this drove her dreams and goals for the future.
One of Shannon’s dreams was to build her own business. She was also passionate about supporting other women starting their own businesses and making a better life for themselves. Small companies committed to donating a portion of their profits to help those in need impressed her very much and aligned with her core values. She also invested in microloans to help others and started her own business on Etsy in November 2020, in which a portion of the profits would benefit women who had recently escaped sex trafficking.
God called Shannon home to Heaven in February 2021.
The Benstead’s prayers are that this endowment would challenge and support future APU students to start their own “intentional” businesses. By doing so, they hope that this ripple of blessing would reach many people groups in the future.
Undergraduate current sophomore or junior majoring or minoring in a degree program within the School of Business and Management (SBM) or a Graduate student in a degree program within SBM
3.0 GPA minimum
Demonstrated interest in entrepreneurism, or students that currently own at least 51% of a business.
Completion of application
Preference is given to underrepresented populations in the business field with a vision for philanthropic giving
*Award of $2000 for one year.
Award $1000 to 1 or more Graduate Students
Eligibility Requirements:
US citizen
Current APU senior planning to enroll in the APU MBA program
Maintain 3.0 or better GPA
Financial need
Completes the following application
Award $1000 to 1 or more Graduate Students
Dr. Gara began teaching at Azusa Pacific in the School of Business and Management in 1990. Dr. Gara was a member of Pomona First Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir and served as a witness for Christ to his neighbors and those who surrounded him. According to Dr. Ilene Bezjian, the Dean of the SBM from 1999-2013, Dr. Gara always made his faith evident to everyone. “When he told his personal testimony, he openly shared it and was never ashamed of his beliefs,” said Dr. Bezjian.
Award of $1000 to be awarded to one or more SBM Graduate Students.
Eligibility Requirements:
Enrolled in a graduate program in the School of Business and Management
Maintain 3.0 GPA minimum
Financial Need
Completion of application
2026 Scholarship Recipients will be notified via email by March 28, 2026.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 WINNERS!
SBM Keith and Teresa Porchia Scholarship
Joseph Desmarais - Master of Business Administration
Elva Rinus - Master of Business Administration
Thames Wong - Master of Business Administration
Naomi Rivas - Master of Business Administration
SBM Kim Gara Memorial Scholarship
Vivian Ho - Master of Business Administration
Karla Cambron - Master of Business Management
Alessandra Perez Laris - Master of Professional Accountancy
Lori Howell-Chun - Masters in Organizational Psychology
Alondio Hill - Masters in Organizational Psychology
LSA Gabriel and Elizabeth De La Rosa Scholarship
Shin Ryu - Accounting
Audry Ramirez - Accounting
Ye Jin Koo - Accounting
Rebecca Kenz - Accounting
LSA Stan Deal Accounting Scholarship
Audry Ramirez - Accounting
Ye Jin Koo - Accounting
Rebecca Kenz - Accounting
Shannon Benstead Memorial Scholarship
Franchesca Bradley - Psychology, Entrepreneurship Minor
Elva Rinus - Master of Business Administration
The Shannon Benstead Memorial Scholarship was awarded at the ZuVenturez Pitch Competition on April 9. The Benstead family was in attendance to present the scholarship.
Awarding of the SBM Shannon Benstead Memorial Scholarship to Darlin Rocha-Torres at the Zuventurez Pitch Competition Spring 2024
Leung School of Accounting
$1000.00 Incoming Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements:
Declared Accounting Major
Incoming GPA of 3.5 or higher
First semester: Must enroll in ACCT 120: Principles of Accounting I
Second semester: Must enroll in ACCT 121: Principles of Accounting II
*Sophomores become eligible for Tier I
Eligibility Requirements:
Declared Accounting Major
GPA of 3.5 or higher
Enrolled in or completed ACCT 320: Intermediate Accounting I
$7,000.00 Annual Scholarship
Tier I Sophomores - GPA 3.5 - 3.750
$9,000.00 Annual Scholarship
Tier I Sophomores - GPA 3.751 - 4.0
$11,000.00 Annual Scholarship
Tier II Juniors - GPA 3.5 - 3.750
Tier II Seniors - GPA 3.5 - 3.750
$15,000.00 Annual Scholarship
Tier II Juniors - GPA 3.751 - 4.0
Tier II Seniors - GPA 3.751 - 4.0
How to Apply
Students automatically receive the scholarship if they (1) are registered as an Accounting major, (2) meet the GPA requirements and (3) show active enrollment in upper division Accounting courses and are moving toward completion of their Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree.
Disbursement
Once the student’s financial aid file is complete, the award usually disburses into the student’s APU account during the first month of the semester (first half of the award in fall, the second half in spring), or later depending on when documentation is received.
Renewability
Scholarships will be awarded each semester for those who meet the criteria.
To Retain Eligibility
Student’s GPA will be reviewed each semester and scholarship disbursements will be made by the Leung School of Accounting in the School of Business and Management.