If you are currently looking at pursuing an MBA degree in the United States of America, then the first thing you should do is to carry out adequate research, and figure out how much their tuition costs, especially in the top business schools in the USA.
However, you should also know that there are many universities in the USA who offer a wide range of scholarship programs that can help aspiring students fund their education and reduce financial burden. This is great news! In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about MBA scholarships in the USA.
What is an MBA Scholarship?
An MBA scholarship is a cash reward that is awarded to bright and deserving students to help them fund their education. This monetary reward usually covers partial or full of their tuition fees, living expenses, books, and any other educational expenses. This scholarship is awarded based on different factors ranging from academic performance to extracurricular activities or other achievements
How to apply for an MBA Scholarship in the USA?
To apply for an MBA scholarship in the USA, follow these steps:
Why do Business Schools in the USA offer international MBA Scholarships for Students?
The reason why Business Schools in the USA offer MBA scholarships to international students is to promote diversity and to bring in the best and brightest students.The scholarship programs available for international students is highly dependent on the institution offering the scholarship and the funds available.
Here are available MBA Scholarships for International students by Top 5 Universities in USA
Fellowship |
Eligibility |
Amount in USD |
Stanford GSB Need-based Fellowship |
Demonstrated financial need. |
USD 44,000- USD 88,000 |
Stanford GSB Bold Fellows Fund |
Students with demonstrated financial hardships and commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. |
30,000 |
Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Program |
Students admitted to MBA degrees at Stanford University. |
Varies |
Impact Design Immersion Fellowship |
MBA students who wish to understand a problem better and those affected by it. |
USD 10,000 – USD 2,00,000 |
2. University of Pennsylvania MBA Scholarship:
University of Pennsylvania offers varieties of scholarships to outstanding students. They do this based on the applications of admission. Also University of Pennsylvania considers all students for fellowships. Various MBA scholarships offered by University of Pennsylvania are listed in the table below.
Fellowship |
Eligibility |
Used for |
Emerging Economy Fellowship |
Candidates from emerging economies throughout the world |
Tuition, accommodation, air travel, health insurance |
Joseph Wharton Fellowship |
Candidates with outstanding academic, personal, and professional advancement records |
Maximum of USD 20,000 for tuition fees |
Judith L. and William G. Bollinger Fellowship |
Top international MBA students in the Wharton MBA |
Tuition Fees |
Prism fellowship |
Student member of the LGBTIQA community and demonstrates leadership in support of the community |
Covers full tuition fees for 2 years |
3. Harvard Business School MBA Scholarship:
Harvard Business School offers numerous full MBA scholarships because they want to improve the affordability of their courses. Various MBA scholarships offered byHarvard Business School are listed in the table below.
Fellowship |
Eligibility |
Amount in USD |
RISE Fellowship |
Candidates with a demonstrated commitment to serving communities of color in the US |
USD 10,000 |
John C. Phelan Forward Fellowship |
Candidates from weaker economic backgrounds carrying significant financial burdens |
USD 30,000 |
George Leadership Fellowship |
Students with leadership skills and demonstrated commitment to enhancing public services |
USD 10,000 |
Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship |
Candidates with demonstrated non-profit leadership |
USD 10,000 |
Junior Achievement Fellowship |
Candidates with demonstrated junior achievement experience |
USD 20,000 |
4. MIT Sloan MBA Scholarship: MIT Sloan School
of Management offers a wide range of scholarships usually on merit, that is, the academic performance of the students applying based , their professional achievements and their contribution in their various communities. MIT Sloan School of Management offers various fellowships to their students enrolled in the first and second years of the MBA program. Some of the available scholarships for MBA in USA for international students offered by MIT Sloan are in the table below.
Fellowship |
Eligibility |
Amount in USD |
Legatum Fellowship |
Students with a demonstrated commitment to start a business in a low-income country after graduation |
Varies |
Lemann Educational Fellowship |
Outstanding MIT graduates committed to pursuing further studies in education, educational technology, and innovation, educational policy and reform, and related areas |
USD 10,000- USD 20,000 |
McKinsey Award |
Candidates with outstanding records of academic achievement, personal impact, and leadership in professional, community, or campus activities |
USD 10,000 |
MIT Sloan Social Impact Fellowship |
MBA Students interested in taking societal challenges during their summer internship |
USD 20,000
|
5. Columbia Business School MBA Scholarship
Columbia Business School offers students partial or full tuition fellowships. The qualification for these scholarships is not based on the application of the student. Hence, students need not fill out any separate application form. Instead, the institute identifies the applicants with outstanding potential on their own. Their scholarship is usually merit-based. Here are some of the MBA fellowships offered by Columbia Business School.
Fellowship |
Eligibility |
Amount in USD |
Merit-based Fellowship |
August entry students enrolled in full-time MBA |
USD 20,000 to full tuition fee |
Perelman Scholarship Fund |
Candidates from underrepresented racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups |
Varies |
CBS Board Fellowship |
Students exhibiting exceptional academic & professional promise |
Varies |
Columbia Business School Board China and India Fellowships |
Students from India and China exhibiting exceptional academic & professional promise |
Varies |
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