MBA Scholarships

Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
Amount: $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000
Deadline: January 30
Link: https://www.acfe.com/scholarship.aspx

The Association of Fraud Examiners award the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program and provides a scholarship to graduate students who wish to enter into the fraud examination major. You may apply in your first or second year of school.

National Academy of Human Resources Graduate Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (Not available after 2020)
Deadline: N/A
Link: https://www.nationalacademyhr.org/nahr-scholarship-sponsorship

All graduate student applicants must have a designated specialization in human resources to be considered. You will also be judged on academics, leadership, work experience, financial need, and giving back to the community.

Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January 30
Link: http://www.digitalresponsibility.org/technology-addiction-awareness-scholarship/

Anyone who wishes to apply to this scholarship must complete a 140-character text about technology addiction. If selected as a finalist, applicants must complete an essay about the same subject matter for a length of 500-1,000 words.

Harvard Business School Need-Based MBA Fellowships
Amount: $80,000 ($40,000/year for 2 years)
Deadline: N/A
Link: https://www.hbs.edu/mba/financial-aid/tuition-assistance/Pages/default.aspx

This fellowship award is entirely dedicated to MBA students who are full-time students. The amount offered will be determined based on your earnings and the earnings of your spouse along with any assets worth over $100,000. Applicants must be citizens of the United States.

Mary Elizabeth Lockwood Beneventi MBA Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: February 15
Link: https://www.dar.org/sites/default/files/members/darnet/forms/SCH-WP-2014.pdf

Graduate degree applicants must be full-time students at an accredited university or college with a business administration major and at least a 3.25 GPA. The scholarship is eligible for renewal each year. This special scholarship is awarded by the Daughters of the American Revolution; however, both men and women can apply.

HubShout Internet Marketing Scholarship
Amount: $1,000 (2 Awards)
Deadline: March 1; November 1
Link: https://hubshout.com/?p=scholarship

Applicants must be planning to gain a job in internet marketing after graduation and have at least a 3.0 GPA. Two scholarships will be provided to those who are capable of demonstrating their passion for internet marketing through social media events on platforms like Twitter, email, and website content.

Dan M. Reichard Jr. Scholarship
Amount: $2,500-$5,000
Deadline: June 13
Link: https://www.aptfd.org/aptf-scholarship-program/scholarships/

Recipients of the Dan M. Reichard Jr. Scholarship must demonstrate a desire to learn about the public transportation industry and work in business administration or management. Applicants must find a member of the American Public Transportation Association to sponsor them to be eligible.

Little Family Foundation MBA Fellowship Award
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: Rolling
Link: https://www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-usa/home

To be eligible, applicants must have participated in a Junior Achievement program in high school and must have volunteered to teach two Junior Achievement K-8 classes. It is also imperative that you are applying for a one-year or a two-year MBA program rather than a PhD.

Careers in International Business Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: October 31
Link: https://www.memphisworldtradeclub.com/scholarship

This scholarship is designed to award graduate students with the opportunity to become leaders in international business/transportation fields. Winners will be selected based on a 1,000-word essay written from a list of questions and their resume.

Leslie Elise Adkins Endowed Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies

This scholarship is dedicated to African American students who seek admission to pursue business degrees. Preferential treatment will be provided to female students and anyone who plans to attend Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College or the Marshall School of Business at USC.

Prospanica Foundation’s Scholarships
Amount: $2,000-$5,000
Deadline: May 15
Link: https://www.prospanica.org/scholarships

This scholarship is dedicated to graduate students of Hispanic heritage with an entrepreneurial spirit. Applicants must be a US citizen or a legal permanent resident with a minimum 2.75 GPA for those with two years of work experience or a 3.0 GPA for those without work experience.

Reaching Out LGBT MBA Fellowship
Amount: $10,000/year ($20,000 total)
Deadline: January 20
Link: https://www.reachingoutmba.org/lgbtmbafellowship

Recipients of the LGBTQ MBA Fellowship will receive up to $20,000 in total. They will also have exclusive access to mentors and a calendar of leadership development programs. It is important to note that only a select group of business schools qualify for enrollment to become a recipient.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Amount: $500-$5,000
Deadline: February 15
Link: https://www.hsf.net/scholarship

Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA for graduate students. You must also enroll in an accredited graduate school that is a non-profit degree program. Applicants must also plan to enroll as a full-time student and be a US citizen, DACA participant, eligible non-citizen, or a permanent legal resident.

The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: October 16
Link: http://scholarships.ncaied.org/

You must be a graduate student in a business field to qualify for this scholarship. Applicants must be full-time students and provide a Tribal Enrollment document to qualify. It is essential that you enroll in an accredited graduate program, and you must attend the scholarship luncheon to qualify.

Association of Latino Professionals (ALPFA) Annual Scholarship Program
Amount: $2,000-$10,000
Deadline: June 8
Link: https://www.alpfa.org/page/schol_landing

This scholarship is for individuals of Hispanic heritage who are full-time students at an accredited university or college. Nearly 45 scholarships are awarded each year. However, less than five are typically awarded to those in a master’s degree program or higher.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Graduate Fellowship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Link: https://chci.org/programs/post-graduate-fellowship-program/

If you are of Latino heritage, you can apply for this fellowship program to work with members of Congress on policy in a wide array of topics, from Homeland Security to public health. You must demonstrate financial need, be active in your community, and be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited college or university.

Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Community Scholarship
Amount: $2500 (2 Awards)
Deadline: February 10
Link: http://www.apiqwtc.org/resources/apiqwtc-scholarship/

Applicants must be a resident of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington or Montana. You must be of Pacific Island or Asian heritage and identify as transgendered, bisexual, or homosexual. Applicants must be active in the community and demonstrate leadership skills.

The Lagrant Foundation Graduate Scholarships
Amount: $3,750
Deadline: February 28
Link: https://www.lagrantfoundation.org/scholarship-application-process

Eligibility is dependent upon being a US citizen, DACA participant or permanent resident, and having a minimum of a 3.2 GPA with at least two semesters completed or one year remaining in your master’s degree program. And you must have an interest in public relations, marketing, or advertising.

Chicana/Latina Foundation (CLF) Scholarship Program
Amount: $1,500 (30-40 Awards)
Deadline: April 7
Link: https://chicanalatina.org/?s=scholarship

Powerful Latina women can qualify for this merit-based scholarship if they have a passion for equality and justice. You must demonstrate leadership and service to the community. Individuals who have overcome personal obstacles and have a clear direction of goals will have preference to the scholarship.

Scholarships4Mom
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Varies (Several drawings yearly)
Link: http://scholarships4moms.net/scholarship-application-for-moms

Any mother qualifies for this scholarship. You can be in pursuit of any type of higher education. The awards can be used to pay for tuition, student loans or books.

Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)
Amount: $250-$2,000
Deadline: Two months before program start date
Link: http://wispinc.org/

Applicants must be a woman and survivor of partner abuse who has been separated from the abuser for at least one year. To qualify, you must have worked with a non-profit organization for services that support abuse victims. The organization must be willing to be your mentor.

The Dodell Women's Empowerment Scholarship
Amount: $1,000-$2,000
Deadline: November 1 (two cycles of application acceptance/year)
Link: https://www.ncjwla.org/what-we-do/scholarship/

Applicants must be continuing their education or re-entering college or university to become self-sufficient economically. All applicants must be female and at least 25 at the time of the application. You can have children or not, and you can be married or not to qualify.

Moss Adams Foundation Scholarships
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 30
Link: http://www.efwa.org/scholarships_graduate.php

Minority women in pursuit of a graduate degree in business, accounting, or an MBA are the recipients of this scholarship. You must demonstrate your decisive goals for the future in your personal and professional lives and prove financial need.

Financial Women's Association (FWA) Graduate Scholars
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 29
Link: https://fwa.org/initiatives/mentoring-scholarships/

This scholarship is dedicated to women in pursuit of an MBA at a select group of reputable and accredited business schools. Scholar recipients will be selected based on academic performance and the ability to be a leader.

American Association of University Women Career Development Grants
Amount: $2,000-$12,000
Deadline: November 15
Link: https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/career-development/

These Career Development Grants will be awarded to women who are in pursuit of an advanced degree to change the direction of their current career path. You must already have a bachelor’s degree. Those women who are in pursuit of advanced degrees for the first time in a nontraditional field will receive preference.

Women in Logistics Scholarship
Amount: $3,500
Deadline: November 1
Link: https://www.womeninlogistics.org/scholarship-program/

Applicants must become a member of Women in Logistics to apply. Recipients must demonstrate a desire to have a career in logistics or supply chain management. Applicants must attend a graduate program in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Angela Dipietro Women in Business Scholarship
Amount: $500
Deadline: May 1
Link: https://marylandcriminallaws.com/scholarship.html

Women pursuing graduate school or an MBA from an accredited college or university qualify for this scholarship. You must demonstrate an interest in entrepreneurship or business as a career path. It is also imperative to have professional and volunteer experience.

PNC-SVA "Serving with Integrity" Scholarship
Amount: $10,000 (2 Awards)
Deadline: Varies (November)
Link: https://studentveterans.org/programs/scholarships?layout=edit&id=126

This scholarship is dedicated to individuals who were honorably discharged or those who currently serve as a Guard or Reserve member. You must be pursuing a degree in business administration at an accredited college or university.

Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program
Amount: $1,000 (Community College); $2,500 (Bachelor’s-Master’s Programs)
Deadline: Varies (January)
Link: https://www.awfdn.org/scholarships/

Applicants must be a woman, or her child, who is an active service member or who served honorably in the Army National Guard, Reserve, or Army. To be eligible, you must have a 3.0 GPA from undergrad and be accepted or enrolled in a graduate program.

Katherine F. Gruber Scholarship
Amount: $2,000 (Renewable)
Deadline: Varies (April)
Link: https://www.bva.org/blinded-veterans-scholarships-awards/

This scholarship is dedicated to the children, grandchildren, and spouses of a blinded veteran or an active duty member of the Armed Forces. Awards will be granted based on merit, and recipients can reapply each year for renewal.

Tillman Military Scholars Program
Amount: $10,000 (Average Award)
Deadline: Varies
Link: https://pattillmanfoundation.org/apply-to-be-a-scholar/

The scholars in this program must be full-time graduate students. Applicants can be active duty members or veterans; spouses and surviving spouses also qualify. Recipients will have access to numerous professional development opportunities.

Veterans United Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $50,000 (10 Awards)
Deadline: March 30
Link: https://www.enhancelives.com/scholarships

This scholarship is dedicated to veterans and their family members. Awards will be given as a one-time scholarship to 10 individuals for up to $50,000 each semester. You must be currently enrolled or plan to enroll at the next semester.

Sports Clips Help a Hero Scholarship
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: April 30 (Fall); November 15 (Spring)
Link: https://www.vfw.org/Scholarship/

To qualify, you must be an active duty member, honorably discharged, retired, or a member of the National Guard or a Reserve. Scholarships have restrictions to one award per family each semester, and applicants must demonstrate financial need.

Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Scholarships
Amount: $1,000-$4,000
Deadline: April 1 (Pre-qualifying Form); May 1 (Application)
Link: https://www.quad-a.org/Scholarship/Application_Procedure/Scholarship/apply.aspx?hkey=6cfe053a-4474-4d81-a350-ec62c335f984

Applicants must meet at least one requirement; be a current member of the AAAA or be the spouse, child, grandchild or unmarried sibling of a member or deceased member.

Military Spouse Scholarships
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: N/A
Link: https://scholarships.militaryfamily.org/offers/nmfa-spouse-scholarship/

The average scholarship awarded to a spouse who can present a valid military ID is $1,000. Applicants will qualify as long as they are the spouse of a service member of any kind. If the service members were wounded, injured, died or had an illness, they must have done so after September 11, 2001.

Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Member Scholarships
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: April 15
Link: https://www.fra.org/fra/Web/Events_and_Programs/Fra_Education_Foundation_Scholarships/Web/Content/FRA_Education_Foundation.aspx?hkey=fe5fe4c8-48b6-4003-be7b-5f3f317c6600

Eligible applicants can be members of the Fleet Reserve Association along with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and spouses. Members must be in good standing with the organization; all applicants must be full-time students at an accredited university or college and US citizens.

Don’t Forget FAFSA
FAFSA helps for the MBA too. Some students may assume that the FAFSA does not apply to graduate students or to students that do not wish to take out federal loans. The FAFSA is widely used by federal, state, local, and private scholarships. The FAFSA is a standard form, and the information format is widely accepted as proof of need. Today, many scholarships use student’s financial need as part of the selection criteria. In the framework of seeking MBA scholarship funds, need is a factor that tends to work in favor of the applicant. When applicants compete for scholarship funds, the selection criteria often point to the student with a greater level of need.

Read All Instructions carefully and send lots of information.
One test of your application for a scholarship is whether the applicant followed instructions. Committees can accept incomplete applications, but the in-completions generally work against the applicant’s chances for success. The best practice is to read the application thoroughly and complete it to the best of your ability. Students can even submit questions either by calling or online if available. When given an opportunity to present information that can support the application, then students should send as much as possible. For example, students can send copies of awards, press clippings, honors, and mentions.

Pay attention to deadlines and avoid waiting till the last minute.
Scholarship committees have procedures that help get the applications sorted, reviewed, and assessed. They typically involve deadlines for submission of applications and supporting materials. The best practice is to perform all the steps promptly. When students wait till the deadline approaches, they can lose opportunities if they cannot gather information and documents in time. Students should notice that many scholarship websites display the previous year’s data until the current year application period starts, but many scholarships do not change these from year to year, so they will give you somewhere to start.

Emphasize Your Past and Potential Contributions
Many MBA scholarships seek top students with high test scores, impressive GPAs, and undergraduate degrees from top schools. Committees also look at character and the potential for the scholarship recipient to contribute to the profession. Many committees also interpret the social role of business as good corporate citizens, and they project that idea into the selection process for scholarships.

Applicants should find ways to express their past social achievements including engagement with the communities with which they may be grouped. Student activities, charities, fundraisers, and other indicators of social awareness will impress a selection committee. In a similar way, applicants can stand out by demonstrating initiative; after all, it is one thing to feel strongly and quite another to take strong actions.

Many scholarships envision selecting students that may contribute to the profession. In many professions such as auditing, accounting, and public finance, there are generally shortages of qualified people. Committees in some professional categories invite information that suggests an intention to do research, devise innovations, and enter into teaching at the secondary and college levels.

Don’t use sloppy writing or poor presentation
Poor grammar and lack of clarity reflect poorly on an applicant. A document with poor grammar, misspellings, and a rough appearance suggests that the author either does not know or does not care that the document lacks authority. The MBA is a step towards a group of occupations that require strong communications skills. When asking for an MBA scholarship or grant, it is vital to avoid presenting poorly written work. Weak writing creates doubts about the basic skills needed to succeed as an MBA student and business professional.

MBA Students Can Get General Scholarships
Although it may be obvious, many students seeking a specialized graduate degree like an MBA fail to apply for general university or college graduate scholarship funds. In many institutions, graduate and MBA students can qualify on the basis of merit and need. Like other parts of the institution, the MBA programs award full-tuition scholarships to attract the top talent or the talent they wish to attract.

If using the FAFSA, then students can typically apply for a wide range of financial aid with a single filing. In some cases, schools require additional applications for specific scholarships. Students should remember that the school they attend is an ideal source for scholarships, grants, and other non-repayable financial aid.

Online students that work while attending an MBA program may have an advantage with possible employer support. Many companies invest in workforce education and training. Many employers provide reimbursement for all or part of tuition and fees. An MBA can add value to an employee in the employer’s view. An MBA that has familiarity with the company personnel and operations may be a valuable addition to the staff. Students should always inquire with their employers about financial support for an MBA.