NAIFA has announced the 2025 recipients of the Paul S. Mills Scholarships, awarded by the Foundation for Financial Service Professionals. This annual program offers need-based scholarships to students pursuing degrees in financial service-related fields. Each of the twelve recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
"The Foundation for Financial Service Professionals has a rich history of encouraging and providing meaningful support for budding professionals in our industry," stated NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE. "NAIFA is proud to carry this tradition forward following the NAIFA-FSP merger. It is an important part of our strategy to grow the profession by nurturing the next generation of insurance and financial professionals."
The 2025 scholarship recipients include Renz Lijah Almonte from Southern New Hampshire University, Laken Colley from the University of Arkansas, Ethan Divelbliss from the University of Maryland Global Campus, Allyssa Jeanty from the University at Albany, Chloe Cadiz Lopez from Elizabethtown College, Sandra Mejia from the University of Maryland, Farhan Miahje from Vanderbilt University, Lawrence Niemann from Saint Louis University School of Law, Madeleine Powell from the University of Oregon, Thomas Rossini from the University of Minnesota Duluth, Michael Thompson from the University of Washington - Tacoma, and Israa Wadif from the University of Houston.
Thomas Rossini was recognized as this year's highest-scoring applicant and received a special designation with his scholarship: The inaugural Eileen J. Prus and Edmund O. Ciske Jr.-designated Paul S. Mills Scholarship. This award was established in 2025 through a gift from Eileen J. Prus's estate to honor her legacy as a dedicated member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals.
"This year’s scholarship recipients are among the reasons our industry has a very bright future," said Tom Cothron, LUTCF, FSCP, President of the Foundation for Financial Service Professionals. "They are dedicated students who can look forward to rewarding careers serving Americans’ financial service needs. On behalf of the Foundation Trustees, I would like to congratulate the 2025 recipients and wish them best in their studies and future endeavors."
Among this year's awardees is Lawrence V. Edward “Ted” Niemann III who participated in NAIFA's sponsored Career Exploration Competition on their Financial Connextion Cruise earlier this year. "I am elated that NAIFA continues to recognize my hard work and dedication to being the best future financial advisor and advocate I can be!" Niemann expressed enthusiasm about starting his first year at Saint Louis University School of Law.
Since its establishment in 1984 in honor of Paul Mills CLU—the second executive vice president at Society FSP—the program has distributed over $389,000 worth scholarships so far with applications reopening February next year on foundation’s website for prospective candidates seeking aid come fall semester twenty-sixth year running strong!