MBA Scholarships for Women

6 July 2023

In recent years, there has been a notable shift towards greater gender diversity and equality in the business world. Women are breaking barriers, shattering glass ceilings, and making their mark in various industries. However, despite these advancements, women still face certain challenges, including the financial burden of pursuing higher education. To address this issue, many organizations, institutions, and foundations have established MBA scholarships specifically designed to empower and support women in their pursuit of business education. In this post, we will delve into the importance of MBA scholarships for women and explore the various opportunities available to aspiring female business leaders.

The Importance of MBA Scholarships for Women

Promoting Gender Diversity: Scholarships targeting women in business help bridge the gender gap by encouraging more female representation in MBA programs. By providing financial support, these scholarships help attract and retain talented women, fostering a more inclusive and diverse academic environment.

Overcoming Financial Barriers: Pursuing an MBA can be a significant financial investment, deterring many women from pursuing this path. Scholarships alleviate the burden of tuition fees, living expenses, and other associated costs, making higher education more accessible for aspiring female leaders.

Empowering Women in Leadership: MBA scholarships offer an opportunity for women to gain the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to excel in leadership roles. By investing in women’s education, scholarships contribute to building a strong pipeline of future women leaders who can drive positive change in the business world.

Prominent MBA Scholarships for Women

The Imperial Global Online MBA Women’s Scholarships

Amount: £15,000

Deadline: Admissions rounds 1-4 (September 2023 intake by 30 May 2023 and January 2024 intake by 11 September 2023)

The Imperial Global Online MBA Women’s Scholarships are awarded to women showing exceptional academic achievement and professional excellence, as well as a commitment to supporting women in business.

All successful female applicants to the Global Online MBA programme are eligible to apply for this award.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong leadership skills through academic achievement, or in roles as team or community leaders, and show a commitment to helping women achieve their career potential through personal mentoring or community involvement.

How to apply

Female candidates who submit their application for the Global Online MBA by the deadlines below and receive an offer for the programme will be eligible to apply for this scholarship. A video assessment is required for this scholarship, and details will be communicated once an offer has been made.

Awards will be made throughout the admissions cycle but only a limited number are available, so we recommend applying early.

Requirements

  • A demonstrable track record of leadership in your field
  • A commitment to supporting women in business
  • The information supplied in your original application to the programme, including a strong academic background, and an excellent track record of professional achievement
  • Your performance during the admissions process, where academic and professional merit will be judged
  • Your professional references

Forté Foundation Fellowships

The Forté Foundation offers prestigious fellowships to outstanding women pursuing full-time MBA programs at partner schools. These fellowships provide financial assistance, access to a strong network of professional women, and mentorship opportunities to help recipients succeed in their careers.

Forté Fellowships are prestigious, competitive awards that are recognized within the business school community and beyond. Forté Fellows exhibit exemplary leadership, represent diverse backgrounds, and demonstrate a commitment to advancing women in business — all of which aligns with Forté’s mission. To date, our partner business schools have awarded $400 million to more than 16,000 Forté Fellows.

Selection

It is up to each individual school to decide who will represent them as Forté Fellows. The process is:

  • Student applies to Forté partner business school
  • Student receives an offer of admission into Forté partner school’s MBA program
  • Student receives consideration for all scholarship opportunities through that institution
  • Partner school selects its Forté Fellows
  • Partner school notifies Forté of its selections

 Note: Students of all nationalities and gender identities are eligible for consideration.

Benefits

What can you hope to gain with a Forté Fellowship? Besides the financial benefits, there is the immediate exposure to leading companies in the Forté network, as well as the network of Fellows that extends beyond your business school.

There are additional ways you will benefit from being a part of the Forté community:

  • Participation in Forté’s’ MBA Women’s Leadership and MBA Financial Services FAST Track Conferences
    • Network with lead executives and MBA students from Forté partner schools
    • Hear panel discussions from corporate partners and MBA alumni
    • Attend workshops that foster professional and personal development
  • Access to an online networking community for Forté Fellows and Fellows alumni
  • Inclusion in the Forté Fellows resume book, which is distributed each fall to Forté partner companies
  • Special invitations for job openings and leadership programs at Forté partner companies
  • Lifetime access to Forté’s Women Lead live webinar series — including career, professional, and leadership development topics — and access to our library of on-demand recordings
  • Mentoring and special opportunities to connect with other Fellows and Forté representatives
    at your school
  • Leadership development opportunities through your role in planning your school’s Forté outreach program to undergraduate women
  • Access to Forté Fellows LinkedIn and Facebook groups

Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINE

Applications received by Zonta clubs: Contact local club for deadline (generally April-June) 
Club recipient is selected and application is received by governor/region representative: 15 August or deadline determined by district/region 
District/region applicant selected and application received by ZI Headquarters: 15 October 
Official announcement of international recipients: December

Women have made great strides in the pursuit of education, careers and leadership roles they were once denied. However, they still comprise a minority of leaders in the business world. As of December 2022, 32% of S&P 500 companies’ board seats are occupied by women, and just 7.4% of the companies’ CEOs are women.

Because Zonta International believes in gender equality, the Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship program helps women pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management and overcome gender barriers from the classroom to the boardroom. The Zonta Foundation for Women awarded the first Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships in 1998 to women pursuing degrees in business leading to a business management career. Jane M. Klausman was a member of the Zonta Club of Syracuse, New York, USA, and the 1990-1995 Zonta International Parliamentarian. During her career, Ms. Klausman was a professional secretary, parliamentarian and entrepreneur.   

The program operates at the Zonta club, district/region and international levels. Zonta International offers 37 international scholarships of US$5,000. Each district/region may submit one applicant for consideration for an international scholarship. The five largest districts may submit a second applicant for a total of two applicants. 

Since the program’s inception, Zonta has awarded 713 scholarships, totaling more than US$1.8 million, to 559 women representing 70 countries.

ELIGIBILITY

Women of any age, pursuing a business program with major field of specialization in accounting, economics, finance, business management, business technology, information technology, marketing, operations management, human resources management, international business, or entrepreneurship at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region, are eligible.

Online students are also eligible to apply if enrolled at an accredited university/college/institute.

Students must be enrolled in at least the second year of an undergraduate program through the final year of a master’s program at the time the application is submitted to the local Zonta club. Applicants must still be in school at the time the scholarship funds are disbursed and must not graduate before April 2024.

Previous district and international Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship recipients may not apply to renew the Scholarship for a second year.

Applicants for the 2023 Women in STEM Scholarship may not also apply for the 2023 Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship.

Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women, and their family members (ancestors, descendants, adoptees, siblings, nieces or cousins, and those of their spouse or co-habiting partner), are not eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Golden Z club members are eligible to apply.

FUNDING

Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships are made possible by generous contributions from Zontians, Zonta clubs and friends of Zonta to the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship Fund.

The Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship

APPLICATION DETAILS:

Applications will open on August 15.

Candidates are encouraged to submit the MBA fellowship application along with their internship application, as decisions will be made on an ongoing basis (subject to the status of internship application).

ELIGIBLITY:

First-year MBA students; Pursuing a 2024 Summer Associate position at Goldman Sachs; LGBTQ+, Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American/Indigenous or Women.

Goldman Sachs provides exceptional women with financial assistance and leadership development opportunities through its MBA Fellowship program. This initiative aims to empower women to achieve their professional goals and contribute to the finance industry’s diversity.

Established in 1997, the Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship is a reflection of our Business Principles and is awarded to recognize outstanding students and their achievements. Fellowship recipients will receive a $35,000* award in addition to the Summer Associate salary. Upon successful completion of the summer internship and acceptance of a full-time offer, Fellowship recipients will be awarded an additional $40,000, plus any full-time Associate signing bonus, as applicable.

Other MBA Financial Aid Options

Research School-Specific Scholarships

Many business schools offer their own scholarships, including those specifically targeted at women. Research the scholarship options provided by the schools you are applying to and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

Government and Nonprofit Organizations

Explore scholarships and grants offered by government agencies, foundations, and nonprofit organizations that prioritize women’s education and empowerment. These opportunities can provide additional financial support for your MBA journey.

Loan Repayment Programs

Investigate loan repayment assistance programs that are aimed at helping women pursue higher education and alleviate the burden of student loans after graduation. Some programs offer financial support for women who commit to working in specific fields or underserved communities.

Tips for Securing MBA Scholarships:

Research and Identify Scholarships: Begin by researching various organizations, institutions, and foundations that offer MBA scholarships for women. Understand their eligibility criteria, requirements, and application deadlines. Create a list of scholarships that align with your goals and aspirations.

Highlight Your Achievements and Goals: Emphasize your academic achievements, professional experience, and leadership potential in your scholarship application. Clearly articulate your career goals and how an MBA scholarship would help you realize them.

Craft a Compelling Personal Statement: Use your personal statement to showcase your passion for business, your determination to succeed, and your commitment to making a positive impact. Tailor your statement to reflect the values and mission of the scholarship provider.

Would you like to know the salary amount of PhD and postdoc positions in Europe? 

You can find all the available full-funded PhD positions in different countries here.