Scholarships for Business Majors
A business degree can lead to a hefty return on investment — but it can also be expensive.
On average, college tuition costs more than $20,000, although that number varies considerably based on institution. Private institutions, which include some of the top business schools in the country, tend to be more expensive.
If you’re pursuing a business degree, scholarships may be able to help pay for your education. Many schools offer grants and scholarships to their students. State and local governments also offer scholarships to help you pay for school.
National, industry-specific scholarships are another option to help you pay for a business degree. Read on to learn more about some of the national programs that can help you pay for school.
Featured Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Financial Assistance for Business Students
Our guides provide an overview of the FAFSA and college loans. We break down lending agencies, interest rates, and repayment options to help you select the option that best fits your budget. Before taking out loans, students should research grants or scholarships, which can help limit or eliminate debt.
You may qualify for grants from state or federal governments or private organizations based on financial need or field of study. You generally do not need to repay grants after graduation, but they may not be as readily available as scholarships.
Some scholarships serve female students, minority groups, and low-income students. Others reward students for strong academic or athletic excellence. Requirements vary, so research opportunities thoroughly. Explore our guide to grants and scholarships for more information. Y
Work-study programs allow students to work for their college or university in exchange for reduced or free tuition. Also, some employers may offer tuition reimbursement if you pursue a career-related degree.
Business Grants
Business students may qualify for grants through governments and professional agencies. Federal or state grants choose recipients based on financial need. Other grants serve minority groups and learners pursuing specific fields.
Pell Grants serve undergraduate students with significant financial need. The maximum award amount for Pell Grants is $7,395; the minimum award is $740. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants offer $100-$4,000 annually to students with financial need attending participating schools.
Business Scholarships
Some business scholarships focus on academic performance, while others serve female students, minority groups, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Pay close attention to application deadlines, qualifications, and any restrictions to ensure your eligibility.
Featured Business Scholarships
Consult our guide to learn more about online business degrees. Below are several scholarships for business students.
AICPA Foundation Two-Year Transfer Scholarship Award
- Who Can Apply: Students who want to transfer from a two-year to a four-year college to finish their studies in accounting or a related field.
- Amount: $5,000 for one year
- The AICPA Two-Year Transfer Scholarship Award helps up to 25 students per year as they transition from a community college to a four-year institution to study accounting. Applications are typically open on December 1 and close on March 1.
ASUS Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: Children of honorably discharged veterans and active, full-time U.S. Military members who are undergraduate students or high school seniors.
- Amount: $2,500
- The ASUS Scholarship is available to the children of U.S. service members and veterans who are studying in a wide range of fields, including business management.
David R. Parsley Scholarship Fund for Supply Chain Management
- Who Can Apply: Undergraduate students pursuing supply chain management
- Amount: Up to $10,000
- The David R. Parsley Scholarship helps students who go into food service supply chain management. Applications are open in January, with deadlines in March.
CardRates Financial Futures Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: Current or future high school students majoring in business, accounting, finance, or a related field.
- Amount: $1,000
- The CardRates Financial Futures Scholarship provides up to $1,000 for students majoring in a field related to the personal finance industry. The application, including an essay, is due July 31 annually.
Dell Scholars Program
- Who Can Apply: Students who are on track to graduate from an accredited high school and demonstrate a need for financial assistance.
- Amount: Up to $20,000
- The Dell Scholars program provides funding with the aim of supporting students throughout their college journey. Applications open in October.
New Silver Fintech Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: Students enrolled or in the process of enrolling as a full-time student at an accredited U.S. university
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- With the financial technology (or fintech) industry set for meteoric growth over the next decade, this scholarship is geared toward helping students become fintech entrepreneurs. Essays are typically due at the end of July.
Party Headphones Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: Full-time undergraduate and graduate students, as well as high school seniors accepted into a university program.
- Amount: $1000
- The Party Headphones Scholarship requires an essay related to the entertainment industry and provides an award to help students cover a number of different costs. Applications are typically due in April.
Paul S. Mills Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: Full or part-time college students in the financial services field who have finished a year of their degree.
- Amount: Up to $1,000
- The Paul S. Mills scholarship is aimed at students heading into the financial services field. Applications are available annually starting February 1.
Women in Public Finance Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: Students who identify as women and are enrolled in higher education in the 2024-2025 academic year and plan to take an industry-specific exam between fall 2024 and spring 2025.
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- The Women in Public Finance Scholarship is available to students who identify as women and want to pursue a public and municipal finance-related career. Applications are typically due around the end of June.
Business Scholarships for Minorities
Our guide provides a comprehensive overview of scholarship opportunities for minority students. Below are four of the best options.
Catching the Dream
- Who Can Apply: Native American students from any U.S. tribe, including students pursuing a business degree.
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- This merit-based scholarship includes awards of up to $5,000 for students attending a college or university full-time and pursuing at least a bachelor’s degree. Deadlines are in March, April, and September.
Deloitte Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: Full-time undergraduate business students at a Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) member institution
- Amount: $2,500 for up to four semesters, or $10,000 total
- This yearly scholarship is given to undergraduate students at HACU institutions majoring in a number of business and technology-related fields. The scholarship deadline is in late June or early July.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Deloitte Foundation HBCU Accounting Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: Accounting majors, including full-time first-year or second-year HBCU students, as well as high school seniors and community college students who will be heading to four-year HBCUs as full-time students
- Amount: $8,000, renewable for multiple years
- This scholarship for accounting majors is offered by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Deloitte Foundation and can be applied to tuition and fees. Applications typically open in January and close in March.
The Gates Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: High school seniors who are Pell-eligible, in good academic standing, and are African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian and/or Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American. For American Indian and Alaskan Native students, proof of tribal enrollment is required.
- Amount: The flexible last-dollar amount covers costs not already covered by student aid, like tuition, room, board, books, transportation, and other personal costs.
- While not exclusive to business students, this scholarship is geared toward outstanding students with leadership ability and can help you graduate debt-free. The scholarship typically launches in July with a September deadline, followed by interviews in the spring.
Business Scholarships for Graduate Students
Below are four scholarships for students pursuing a graduate degree in business. For more information on pursuing an MBA program, please explore our guide.
The Consortium MBA Fellowship
- Who Can Apply: Prospective MBA students. Selection is dependent on community activism and “on evidence of your commitment to The Consortium’s mission of promoting the inclusion of African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans in American business.”
- Amount: Full tuition
- The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management aims to bolster diversity and representation at top business schools. The Consortium Fellowship includes both funding for an MBA and a number of resources and networking opportunities.
Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship
- Who Can Apply: First-year MBA students
- Amount: At least $35,000
- The Goldman Sachs MBA fellowship recognizes exceptional students who make an impact on their communities. It also includes an additional $40,000 after the successful completion of a summer internship and acceptance of a full-time offer.
Foster G. McGraw Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: Full-time healthcare management graduate students entering their final year
- Amount: $5,000
- Offered by the Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Foster G. McGraw Graduate Student Scholarship helps students pay for their final year of graduate school. Applications are accepted between January and the end of March.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Additional Financial Aid Resources
Most students qualify for at least some financial aid. Our guide provides an overview of the available options to finance your business degree.
Financial Aid for Online Students
Most financial aid opportunities do not discriminate between online and on-campus students. Use our guide to explore college savings tools and select the best option for your budget.
Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
Our guide breaks down financial aid for students with disabilities pursuing a business degree.
Scholarships for Single Parents
Single parents may face particularly difficult challenges financing their business degree. Some scholarships focus on opening up educational opportunities for students raising a family. Use our guide to explore available scholarships.
Financial Aid for Veterans and Active Military
Veterans or active-duty military members pursuing a business degree may qualify for specific government or institutional financial aid opportunities. Our guide explores several different options to lower or eliminate tuition costs.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Business Scholarships
Business schools typically offer scholarships and grants for their students in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Check with your school financial aid office to see if there are any scholarships available to business students at your institution.
Note: The insights on this page were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed July 1, 2024.
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