MBA scholarships to look out for in 2023

As the world of business continues to evolve at a rapid pace, there is an increasing demand for individuals with advanced degrees in management. Pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a popular way for professionals to take their careers to the next level. However, the cost of an MBA can be a significant barrier for many students. The cost of pursuing an MBA at one of the top 26 US business schools is currently over $200,000 in 15 schools, according to Poets&Quants.

But the good news is there are various MBA scholarships and grants available to help ease the financial burden and make this degree more accessible to deserving students. Whether you are a woman, a minority student, an online MBA student, or a part-time MBA student, there is a scholarship out there for you. Here are some of the best MBA scholarships to look out for in 2023.

Everything You Need to Know about MBA Scholarships

Pursuing an MBA degree can be a significant investment, but the rewards can be equally impressive. Graduates with an MBA degree are typically well-equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the business world.

However, the cost of education can be a significant barrier for many students. MBA scholarships can be a lifeline for students who want to pursue a master’s degree in business administration without breaking the bank.

Here is everything you need to know about MBA scholarships:

What are MBA Scholarships?

MBA scholarships are financial aid opportunities that help students pay for their MBA degree. These scholarships can come from a variety of sources, including corporations, private foundations, non-profit organizations, universities, and government agencies.  The primary purpose of MBA scholarships is to provide equal access to higher education. This ensures talented, financially disadvantaged students with potential can pursue their academic and professional goals.

When it comes to scholarships for MBA, there are typically two main types: need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Need-based financial aid is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and cannot afford the cost of education on their own.

On the other hand, MBA scholarships are typically awarded based on a combination of merit, financial need, and diversity. Merit scholarships are awarded based on the student’s academic performance, work experience, leadership potential, and other criteria that demonstrate their potential for success in business.

MBA scholarships can cover some or all of the expenses associated with pursuing an MBA degree. This includes tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses. Some scholarships also cover living expenses, including housing and meals.

They are often highly competitive and require significant effort to secure. Therefore, students should apply for multiple scholarships and other forms of financial aid to increase their chances of success. The application process and deadlines for MBA scholarships vary depending on the scholarship provider. It’s essential to research each scholarship to understand its requirements, deadlines, and application process.

Requirements for MBA Scholarships

To be eligible for MBA scholarships, there are typically several requirements that students must meet. The specific criteria can vary depending on the scholarship, but some common requirements include:

1. Academic achievement: Many MBA scholarships require students to have a strong academic record. This can include a minimum GPA, standardized test scores (such as the GMAT or GRE), and other academic achievements.
2. Financial need: Some scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Students may need to submit financial information to demonstrate their need for financial assistance.
3. Leadership potential: Many scholarships look for students with leadership potential. This can include extracurricular activities, community service, and other experiences that demonstrate leadership skills.
4. Work experience: Some MBA scholarships and grants require students to have a certain amount of work experience. This is often the case for scholarships geared toward MBA candidates who are mid-career professionals.
5. Essays and recommendations: Many scholarships require students to submit essays and letters of recommendation as part of their application. These essays and recommendations are used to evaluate the student’s qualifications and potential.

It’s essential to carefully review the requirements for each scholarship before applying. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee that a student will receive a scholarship, as competition for scholarships is often high. Therefore, it’s crucial to put together a strong application that highlights the student’s achievements, potential, and fit.

Overall, MBA scholarships can be an excellent way for students to reduce the financial burden of pursuing an MBA degree. By applying for scholarships and other forms of financial aid, students can increase their chances of achieving their academic and professional goals without worrying about the cost.

Types of MBA scholarships to apply for in 2023

Aspiring MBA students seeking financial aid in 2023 have a plethora of options to choose from. MBA scholarships come in different shapes and sizes, ranging from need-based grants to merit-based awards. Finding the right scholarship can be a daunting task, given the vast array of scholarships available. In this article, we will explore the types of MBA program scholarships available to help students make informed decisions.

MBA Scholarships for Minorities

Minorities, including African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans, are often underrepresented in MBA programs. To address this issue, many MBA scholarships are available specifically for minority students. Some examples include:

Scholarships for African Americans

• African American MBA Association (AAMBAA) Whitney M. Young Jr. Fellowship: $25,000 awarded to one student annually at Wharton University.
• National Black MBA Association Fellowships: Various scholarships are available through the NBMBAA. This includes full tuition and $25,000 funding at various business schools like OSU’s Business College-Fisher, ASU, and McDonough School of Business (Georgetown University).
• Darryl T. Banks HBCU Scholarship: Duke Fuqua School of Business scholarship awarded to students who join Duke from a historically black college or university (HBCU).
• Consortium Fellowships: The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management offers full-tuition fellowships to students committed to its mission: To reduce the under-representation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in business school enrollments and management ranks. The Consortium includes schools like Kelley Business School (Indiana University), Tuck Business School (Dartmouth), Simon Business School, and more.

Latinx MBA Scholarships

• PepsiCo Cesar Chavez Latino Scholarship: $5,000 scholarship for Latino MBA students at Arizona State University with a GPA equal to or more than 3.0. Selected applicants are required to do thirty service hours for the Cesar Chavez Foundation.
• Prospanica Scholarship: $5,000 scholarship for MBA students of Latino or Hispanic descent with a GPA equal to or more than 3.0. If you have sufficient work experience, they can allow a GPA of 2.75. Eligible students are accepted students from schools like Fuqua (Duke) and Fisher (OSU).
• LatAm Ready Business Technology Scholarship: $1,000 scholarship for Latin-American MBA students interested in technology and computing at OSU’s Business College-Fisher.
• Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) Scholarship: Needs-based scholarships ranging from $1,250 to $10,000 for MBA Latino students at Fisher Business College (OSU). Students must have a GPA of equal to or more than 3.0.

Indian American MBA Scholarships

• American Indian College Fund Scholarships: Scholarships up to $20,000 for Native American US citizens. They must be members or descendants of a recognized tribe attending higher education, including MBA students with a GPA higher than or equal to 2.0.
• Global Fellowships: $30,000 annual fellowships for Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business MBA students. The students must have a Latin American connection, can speak Spanish, or have job experience in organizations in Latin America.
• LunaCap Foundation: $10,000 scholarship for Veteran and Mexican scholars pursuing an MBA offered by the LunaCap Foundation.
• American Indian Graduate Centre: Needs-based scholarships and fellowships for full-time postgraduate Native American students. A certificate confirming the eligibility of the tribe is a necessary requirement.

LGBTQ+ MBA Scholarships

• Prism Fellowship

The Prism fellowship is a full-tuition scholarship available to LGBTQIA students at the Wharton School of Business. The scholarship supports one student who has shown leadership in the community.

• Point Foundation Scholarship

The Point Foundation Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship that provides funding, mentorship, and leadership training to LGBTQ students. Scholars are required to give back to the community and show strong academic achievement.

• Reaching Out LGBT+ MBA

Reaching Out LGBT+ MBA partners with over 60 schools to offer scholarships to LGBT+ students. Each fellow receives a minimum of $20,000 and gains access to leadership and career opportunities.

MBA Scholarships for women

As women continue to shatter the glass ceiling in the business world, there has been a growing effort to support their pursuit of higher education in the field. One way this is being achieved is through MBA scholarships specifically tailored to women.

These scholarships cater to different demographics of women and offer varying amounts of financial support. They all share the common goal of empowering women to succeed in the competitive world of business. Here are some scholarships that cater to different demographics and provide financial assistance to women pursuing an MBA.

• Forté Foundation Fellowship:

The Forté Foundation Fellowship is a prestigious scholarship program for women who are applying to select MBA programs. The scholarship covers up to $25,000 in full tuition and fees, as well as a stipend for living expenses. The program is designed to support women who are interested in pursuing leadership roles in business and want to gain the skills necessary to succeed in their careers.

• National Association of Women MBAs Scholarship:

The National Association of Women MBAs (NAWMBA) offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to women who are pursuing an MBA degree. These scholarships are awarded to women who have demonstrated leadership potential and a commitment to advancing women in business. The NAWMBA scholarship program is open to members and non-members of the organization.

• Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship:

The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship is sponsored by Zonta International and awards $8,000 to women pursuing a business degree. The scholarship is open to women from any country who are enrolled in an accredited business program. The scholarship is designed to support women who are pursuing careers in business and have demonstrated leadership potential.

Online MBA Scholarships

Online MBA programs provide a convenient way for working professionals to advance their education without disrupting their careers. However, the cost of tuition and other expenses can be a significant barrier for some students. Fortunately, there are several online MBA programs that offer scholarships to help alleviate the financial burden. These schools include:

1. Open University Business School offers the Future Leader Fund scholarship to students pursuing an online MBA. The scholarship is based on academic excellence, professional experience, and leadership potential.
2. Baylor University offers scholarships of up to $6000 to students in their Online MBA program based on academic merit, work experience, and potential for leadership.
3. Indiana University also offers scholarships of up to $25000 to exceptional candidates who enroll in their online MBA program. These scholarships can help students manage the cost of tuition and provide financial support throughout their studies. Eligible candidates must submit a scholarship application along with their MBA application and meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered for this scholarship.

Part-time MBA scholarships

Part-time MBA programs provide an excellent opportunity for working professionals to advance their careers while balancing their work and personal lives. However, these programs can be costly, making scholarships a valuable resource for many students. Here are some part-time MBA scholarships that you can consider:

1. Chicago Booth Evening MBA and Weekend MBA Scholarships – The Chicago Booth Business School offers a range of scholarships to students enrolled in their part-time MBA programs. These scholarships are merit-based and awarded to high-potential students who don’t want to sacrifice a lot of their working and personal time for an MBA.
2. Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA Scholarship – The Berkeley Haas School of Business offers a scholarship program for students enrolled in their part-time MBA programs. These scholarships are awarded based on a combination of merit and financial need.
3. University of Michigan Ross School of Business Part-time MBA Scholarships – The University of Michigan Ross School of Business offers a variety of scholarships to part-time MBA students. These scholarships are very limited and awarded based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and professional experience.

These are just a few examples of the part-time MBA scholarships available to students. As with any scholarship program, it’s important to review the eligibility requirements and application deadlines carefully to ensure you have the best chance of securing funding.

Full-ride MBA scholarships

Full-ride MBA scholarships cover the entire cost of tuition and other expenses related to earning an MBA degree. These scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded to exceptional candidates with outstanding academic achievements and leadership potential. Here are some full-ride MBA scholarships:

1. Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship – The Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship Program awards financial assistance to African citizens who wish to study at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. The fellowship covers the full tuition and fees of the two-year MBA program, as well as associated living expenses.
2. The Skoll MBA Scholarship – The Skoll Scholarship covers full tuition and living expenses for up to five MBA students per year who are committed to social and environmental entrepreneurship. This scholarship is for international students who attend the University of Oxford’s Said Business School.
3. The IMD MBA Future Leaders Scholarship – The IMD MBA Future Leaders Scholarship is awarded to up to exceptional MBA candidates who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and living expenses for the IMD MBA program.

Types of MBA scholarships available

In general, schools with big budgets are generally the ones more inclined to give out full-ride scholarships. Some of the most prestigious schools that are known for their high scholarship awards include Columbia Business School, University of Chicago-Booth, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and New York University’s Stern School of Business.

These scholarships are highly competitive, and applicants are required to meet specific eligibility criteria, including academic achievement, work experience, leadership potential, and other factors. Candidates should thoroughly research each scholarship and ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before submitting their applications.

Achieve your MBA goals with our professional MBA services

Pursuing an MBA is a significant investment in one’s future, and it comes at a cost, but scholarships make it more affordable. From merit-based to need-based and diversity-focused scholarships, there are numerous options available to help alleviate the high cost of tuition. These scholarships are offered by a variety of sources, including the school itself, private organizations, and corporations. Many schools offer a range of scholarships based on academic achievement, professional experience, and even demographic background.

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