WAU Business Forum Empowers Students to Unlock Scholarship Opportunities

TAKOMA PARK, Md. — Washington Adventist University students gained valuable insights into securing college scholarships and navigating the financial challenges of higher education during the university’s monthly Business Forum on Sept. 23.

Hosted by WAU’s Department of Business and Communications, the forum featured Kiara Scott, founder and CEO of Free Money Meister, a scholarship platform designed to help students identify and access funding opportunities to offset the cost of college tuition.

More than 55 students and faculty members attended the event, which brought together students majoring in business, communications and other academic disciplines.

During her presentation, Scott highlighted the millions of dollars in scholarship funding available to college students and introduced attendees to various scholarship search platforms. She explained the differences between free and fee-based services, emphasizing the importance of researching opportunities and taking a proactive approach to financing higher education.

Scott also shared the inspiration behind Free Money Meister, explaining that she established the platform “after seeing talented students miss out on funding not for a lack of merit, but because of poor information and application fatigue.”

Beyond scholarship opportunities, Scott offered students a firsthand look at entrepreneurship and professional development. She discussed her career journey, including her experience working with Deloitte, a global consulting firm, and a national security agency, before transitioning into entrepreneurship.

Her decision to establish Free Money Meister reflected a desire to address the challenges students face when searching for scholarships and completing applications. Through her business, Scott now helps students nationwide navigate the scholarship process and pursue opportunities to reduce the financial burden of higher education.

The presentation aligned with the Department of Business and Communications’ commitment to connecting students with successful business leaders and entrepreneurs throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia region. These interactions provide opportunities for students to gain practical knowledge, explore career pathways and learn from professionals who have successfully navigated the challenges of building their careers and businesses.

Students responded enthusiastically to Scott’s presentation, particularly the practical information she shared about accessing financial resources.

“It was a very enlightening presentation which every student should have gotten,” said WAU student Maurice Brown.

Another student expressed appreciation for the information while emphasizing the importance of introducing scholarship resources earlier in students’ academic journeys.

“This presentation should have been done before my senior year,” the student said.

The forum was scheduled to conclude at 4:30 p.m., but Scott remained until after 5 p.m., answering additional questions, sharing insights about scholarship platforms and discussing her entrepreneurial journey with students eager to learn more.

The extended interaction underscored the value of the university’s Business Forum series, which provides a platform for meaningful engagement between students and industry professionals.

Through initiatives such as the monthly Business Forum, Washington Adventist University continues to advance its commitment to providing students with educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom, equipping them with practical knowledge, professional connections and resources to support their academic and career success.