The AICPA announced on Tuesday that their 23rd annual Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop (ASLW) is accepting applications until March 15. This year’s event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Houston Galleria in Houston, Texas from Wednesday, May 17 through Friday, May 19.

The three-day, all-expenses paid program (via the AICPA Foundation) looks to offer minority students pursuing a CPA license an environment to bolster their skills, network with working professionals, and learn more about the career opportunities the profession has to offer.

“A key aspect of AICPA’s commitment to diversity includes helping minority accounting students deepen their knowledge of the profession and the importance of earning their CPA license,” stated Kim Drumgo, AICPA director of diversity and inclusion and vice chair of AICPA’s National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion. “Attending ASLW is a critical turning point for many of the participants. At the conclusion of the program, students are armed with renewed confidence and a network of peers and CPAs who understand what it takes to pass the CPA Exam.”

The workshop is open to minority students who are either U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents. Applicants must be a sophomore, junior, senior, 5th year, or graduate student for the 2016-17 academic year who have declared accounting, finance or tax as their major. Appropriate applicants must also be Student Affiliate Members of the AICPA who have at least a 3.0 GPA and are involved in on-campus and community activities.

Applicants will submit a 500-word essay, two letters of recommendation (with at least one by a faculty member or licensed CPA), an unofficial transcript, and a motivational quote.

For more on the ASLW, head to the AICPA's site here.

Sean McCabe is a senior editor with Accounting Today.