We’ve curated a list of the best scholarships for business majors to help you find more money that does not have to be repaid. In addition to the list of scholarships, we’ve included some tips on applying. It is important to consider that scholarships based on your major (or career interests) often require that you remain in that discipline. If you change majors, you could lose scholarship dollars along the way.
Pursuing a Degree in Business
Business degrees remain one of the top fields of study amongst students seeking bachelor’s degrees. This means it’s not just a popular major, but the scholarships may also be highly competitive.
Scholarship Programs
Below is a list of scholarship programs for business school and business majors. Some of these programs apply to graduate students, and others are open to undergraduates and incoming freshmen. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list, and it does not include campus-specific scholarships. Be sure to check with your Financial Aid and Scholarship Office(s) at your school for even more opportunities.
| Agency | Overview | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10X Digital Marketing Scholarship | Dedicated to HS seniors and college undergrads majoring in business, digital marketing, tech, or communications. | $4,000 | TBA in summer |
| AICP Scholarship Program | Four (4) scholarships are provided each year to business majors and students studying economics, finance, statistics, management, and similar fields. | $2,000 | Check website |
| Albert W. Dent and Foster G. McGraw Graduate Student Scholarship | Awards for up to 15 students in their final year of a healthcare management graduate program. | $2,500 | March |
| ASUS Scholarship | Awards are given to unmarried dependent children of active or honorably discharged U.S. military members who are pursuing a business management degree. | $2,500 | February |
| Bayar Fellowship | Provided to high school students interested in improving their community by leveraging business principles. | Varies | May |
| Be the Boss Scholarship | Scholarships for female high school and college students who want to start a business. | $2,000 | September and March |
| (Allman Family Scholarship) FOARE Scholarship Program | For undergrad and graduate student in a business management program. | $5,000 | May |
| BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Equity Through Education Scholarship | Undergrad or graduate students with a visible or non-visible disability pursuing a business or related degree. | $10,000 | April |
| Clark Burrus Public Service Academic Scholarship | Provided to minority students pursuing a business, public administration, or accounting degree. | $10,000 | November |
| CRA All-Access Scholarship | Twelve awards are given in this talent development program for college juniors and seniors pursuing a business or economics degree. | $5,000 | April |
| Doc Cohen Franchising Scholarship | Business, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship students are eligible. | $3,500 | Fall, Check website |
| Forte’ MBA Fellowship | These competitive awards are granted to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to advance women in business. | Full tuition | Varies based on your application and acceptance into MBA program at a participating school |
| Goldman Sach’s MBA Fellowship | Geared toward students interested in investment banking. First-year MBA students are eligible. | $35,000 | March |
| GreenPal Scholarship | Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher who are majoring or minoring in business are eligible. | $2,000 | August |
| Gucci Changemakers Scholarship | Ten students who are studying business-oriented or creative fields are eligible for scholarships. | Up to $20,000 | February |
| Hola at Microsoft Scholarship | High school seniors of Latinx or Hispanic descent who plan to major in business, engineering, or computer science. | $2,500 and $20,000 | March |
| ICSC Foundation Scholarships | There are 15 different scholarships for students interested in entrepreneurship or the Marketplaces Industry. | Varies | March |
| JCF Helen B. Lewis E. Goldstein Scholarship | Awarded to Jewish students with financial need and academic merit with preference given to business, law, and library/information science majors. | $10,000 | March |
| John Galt Scholarship for Future Supply Chain Leaders | Two scholarships are awarded to full-time undergraduates pursuing a degree in business forecasting or supply chain management. | $10,000 | November |
| Kohlberg-Manacher Foundation (KMF) Excellence Scholarship | High achieving college juniors and seniors with an entrepreneurial spirit and career focus in business will be awarded. | $15,000, paid over 2 years | Check website |
| Licensing International Scholarship Program | Students pursuing business, marketing, design, or other brand licensing fields are eligible. | $5,000 - $10,000 | January |
| Mary Elizabeth Lockwood Beneventi MBA Scholarship | Scholarships are granted to students with a minimum GPA of 3.25 who are majoring in business administration. | $2,000 | January |
| Mildred C. Hanson Sior Memorial Scholarship | Two awards are given each year: one to an outstanding female undergrad and one to a graduate student. | $8,000 | October |
| Military MBA Merit Scholarship | Awarded to an incoming MBA student at one of 27 participating schools. Bachelor’s degree and record of military service is required. | Varies | December |
| National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Scholarship | NBMBAA partners with several donors to provide scholarships. Check their website. | Varies | Varies |
| National NANBPWC Scholarship Program | Multiple awards are provided to female African American high school seniors or college undergrads who demonstrate entrepreneurial talents. | $2,500 | March |
| NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship | Provided to students interested in pursuing careers in retail and supply chain. | Up to $25,000 | May |
| Oracle Corporate Scholars Program | Ten scholarships. Dedicated to African American college students pursuing business, marketing, and other degrees. | $10,000 | January |
| PIMCO Future Leaders Scholarship | Awarded to Black and Hispanic/Latinx college students majoring in business management who are in good academic standing. | $20,000 | January |
| Questbridge National College Match | Full 4-year scholarship dedicated to high achieving high school seniors from low-income background. | Up to $325,000 | September |
| Thiel Fellowship | Two-year program that gives a grant to young entrepreneurs under age 22 who want to innovate instead of attend college. | $200,000 | Rolling |
| Women in International Trade (WIIT) Scholarship | Merit-based award for female college juniors/seniors or grad students who are studying international trade. | $3,000 | November and April |
Scholarships for Business School (Graduate Students)
There are several scholarship programs that are specifically for business school. As you search for them, you may want to broaden your keywords beyond “business” and “business school” by including some of these terms:
Business Majors
Within the category of business majors, keywords for MBA, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, operations, and similar phrases can be goldmines. Think of the concentrations that are offered with MBA programs. You can always refer to your school’s catalog for inspiration.
Business Management
There are many corporations that offer scholarships related to business management. Companies want to help build a strong talent pipeline and will encourage employees (current and prospective) to pursue a business degree.
Searching for business management related scholarships may even filter out programs for graduate vs. undergraduate programs, keeping in mind that some scholarships are open to all postsecondary students.
Applying for Scholarships
Before applying for scholarships, you’ll want to map out a strategy. This includes outlining the types of scholarships you may want to pursue and creating a schedule for all the deliverables. Your action plan should include these activities, at a minimum:
- Research scholarships. Block time on your calendar to tackle this. It could be a couple of hours per day for a set number of weeks or months.
- Prioritize the scholarships you will pursue based on suitability, upcoming deadlines, and dollar amounts.
- Prepare a strong personal statement. Make sure to boost your narrative with information about your goals, as well as your background. Your background should include professional achievements, any networks you belong to, and community service or volunteer activities. Be sure to personalize your submissions each time.
- Look up networking events that allow you to interact with the admissions team. Many schools offer webinars that you can participate in remotely to address common questions.
- Speaking of networking, talk to other students. Your peers can give you insider tips and help you understand things that may not always be promoted on the school’s website.
You may also want to organize your efforts around the types of scholarships available.
- Merit based - This includes not only strong GPAs, but also high GMAT or GRE scores
- Need based – The criteria may vary, but typically involves income thresholds
- Diversity based – Eligibility may those based on underrepresented or communities
- Industry specific – Another great way to find niche scholarships is to drill down by sector and career interest
- Program specific – Specializations within your field of study or degree can reveal unique grants and scholarships
Demonstrate Financial Need
For scholarships that require you to demonstrate financial need, you should be prepared to submit documentation that provides your family’s income.
Some colleges and universities may require an application for institutional aid, in addition to relying on your FAFSA data. Other schools will simply prequalify you for a scholarship and announce the amount in your award letter.
Scholarship Opportunities for Full Time Students
Scholarships may be based on enrollment status, including the requirement that you be a full-time student. Some scholarship providers are ok with you being enrolled at least half time. As part of your scholarship research, you’ll want to make note of the eligibility criteria before applying.
It is easy to be lured by scholarships with large dollar amounts. But these can also be the most competitive. So don’t overlook the smaller awards. Lower dollar amounts can add up; especially if you are persistent in applying for as many scholarships as possible.
Undergraduate Students
Business scholarships are often thought of at the MBA level, but several programs are open to undergraduate students, too. For unique undergrad scholarships, you may want to consult with the college of business on campus.
College of Business Offers
Touch base with the administrative office or Dean’s Office at your school’s college of business to pursue scholarship offers. In many cases, private donors may allocate funds that benefit specific schools on campus. These scholarships may be reserved for students who major or minor in business. And the awards may be supplemental to the programs available through the financial aid office.
Financial Aid Office
The financial aid office on campus is one of your most valuable resources. Get to know your assigned financial aid counselor and ask for his/her input regarding campus-based and local scholarships you may not have uncovered in your research.
