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Hickman Scholars Program

The Hickman Scholars Program is open to all candidates looking to pursue an academic career, including international candidates.

Purpose

The Society of Actuaries James C. Hickman Scholar program was established to increase the number of academic actuaries who hold a PhD and an actuarial designation, and who intend to pursue an academic career. The program is designed to provide stipends to doctoral students who will, through their studies, address research and education needs of the profession, including both the theoretical and practical aspects.

The program was named to honor James C. Hickman (deceased), FSA, MAAA, ACAS, and former dean of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Business. During a 40-year academic career Hickman made numerous contributions to teaching, research and scholarship, including co-authorship of the Actuarial Mathematics textbook. He also served the profession, including as a member of the SOA Board of Governors and trustee of the Actuarial Foundation.

Eligibility

Individuals who meet the following requirements may apply:

  • Enrolled fulltime, have recently been admitted or are currently applying to a qualifying doctoral program.
    • A qualifying doctoral program is one in actuarial science or a field related to actuarial science (e.g. business, demography, economics, financial economics, insurance, mathematics, risk management, statistics).
    • Applicants may apply at the same time they are applying for a doctoral program; if selected these applicants will be awarded the stipend conditional upon enrollment in a qualifying doctoral program.
  • Hold a Fellowship–level actuarial credential or are pursuing Associateship or Fellowship membership of an accrediting actuarial organization (i.e. AI, CAS, CIA, IFoA, SOA).
    • Applicants who are already Associate members (including those awarded the CERA designation) will be expected to pursue a Fellowship credential.
  • All applicants must have at least two actuarial exams passed.

Application Process

Applicants must submit an application and supporting documentation that includes the following:

  • Applicants currently applying to doctoral programs must provide the names of the universities/programs to which they have applied, and the intended field of study in each university/program. (If a stipend is awarded, it will be conditional on enrollment in the specified program and for the field of study proposed in the application.)
  • Applicants already enrolled in a doctoral program will indicate how many years they have been studying, and approximately how many more years they believe they need to complete their doctorate. They will also provide a statement from their supervisor or program director attesting to progress in their doctoral program.
  • Applicant must submit a Statement of Interest. This may be the same statement submitted for the doctoral program, but additional language should be added for this application to clearly explain their goals regarding teaching, research and contributions to the actuarial profession.

Selection

An SOA Hickman Scholar is named on the basis of individual merit. Consideration will be given to:

  • Applicant’s doctoral program status. Current doctoral students and those entering into a doctoral program may apply.
  • Applicant's attainment of, or progress toward, an actuarial credential.
  • Applicant's Statement of Interest. A goal of the program is to provide stipends to those individuals who will address research and education needs of the profession, including both the theoretical and practical aspects. Statements of Interest will be evaluated to determine level of commitment to the profession.
  • Likelihood that applicant will seek employment with a university. 

Amount of Stipend

Each stipend is an amount up to $20,000 USD per academic year (stipend amount may vary by country), renewable up to two times upon evidence of satisfactory progress on both the doctorate and actuarial credential, continuing satisfaction of any other doctoral stipend criteria set forth by the SOA, and the availability of adequate funding. The stipend may be used at the discretion of the doctoral student for expenses that will aid in the completion of the Ph.D. and the actuarial credential if not yet attained. Applicants should be aware that stipend funds are provided for qualified expenses (tuition, books, fees, study aids, and other similar study- or course-related expenses). Qualified expenses do not include room and board. Stipend funds generally, or any portion not used for qualified expenses, may be taxable, depending on applicable tax requirements in the jurisdiction. Tax treatment varies by locality and country, and this is not intended as tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor if you have any questions.

Renewal of a SOA James C. Hickman Scholar Doctoral Stipend is not guaranteed.

Stipends are awarded at the sole discretion of the SOA and all decisions are final. Failure to meet eligibility requirements on a continuing basis may subject recipients to loss of stipend.

Renewals

An SOA Hickman Scholar program's doctoral stipend is renewable up to two times, subject to successful progress on both the doctorate and actuarial credential, continuing satisfaction of any other SOA Hickman Scholar criteria set forth by the SOA, and the availability of adequate funding.

  • The recipient may request suspension of the stipend for personal reasons (e.g. leave of absence from doctoral studies for childbirth).
  • The renewal period for an applicant already in a doctoral program would be determined on a case–by–case basis.

Continued participation in the SOA Hickman Scholar program is not guaranteed.

Renewal Process

SOA Hickman Scholars seeking a renewal of their stipend are required to submit a renewal application that includes the following:

  • For non–Fellows, successful progress on actuarial exams must be shown (e.g. scores of 4 or better on exams and completion of modules). Non–Fellows must also provide a statement as to how continued progress in pursuit of fellowship will be made.
  • A statement from applicant's Supervisor or Program Director must be provided attesting to progress in his/her doctoral studies.

Application Deadlines

The completed application (initial or renewal) and required documentation must be received by the SOA no later than March 3, 2025. Additional details regarding the required documentation can be found on the application form, linked below. All applicants will be notified by May 15, 2025. Recipients must notify the SOA of acceptance of the stipend by June 16, 2025.

Contact

Please email hickmanscholars@soa.org with any questions regarding the Hickman Scholars program or the application process.