Top MBA Scholarships for Women

Recently, I profiled top schools’ MBA scholarships offerings for African students. Today, I would like to take a look at some of the scholarship opportunities available for female students. Continued worries about gender diversity in the workplace have prompted schools to take a closer look at how they are encouraging female students and to reconsider their scholarships options. Several top schools have excellent scholarships specifically intended for women, including the following:

Chicago Booth School of Business

The Herman Family Fellowship

This fellowship is designed to advance the interests of women in entrepreneurship, in cooperation with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship. There is no formal application process- all admitted students are considered. Read more here.

IMD

The Nestle Scholarship for Women

One scholarship is awarded each year to female candidates, with preference given to those from developing countries. The award total is 25,000 Swiss francs. Read more here.

Deadline: 30 September 2014

INSEAD:

INSEAD Alumni Fund Women’s Scholarship

These merit scholarships are awarded to 10-15 outstanding women per year, and can amount to up to 15,000 euros. Read more here.

Deadline: 12 May 2014 (Round 1, December 2015 Class) and 16 July 2014 (Round 2)

INSEAD Group Galeries Lafayette Endowed Scholarship for Women

This scholarship is designed for women who embody the core values of French retailer Groupe Galeries Lafayette. Candidates with retail experience or interest in the retail industry are preferred. Preferred candidates will also  be from regions where the company is present, including Western Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Awards amount to 10,000 euros.  Read more here.

Deadline: 12 May 2014 (Round 1, December 2015 Class) and 16 July 2014 (Round 2)

INSEAD Judith Connelly Delouvrier Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship was endowed in honor of Judith Connelly Delouvrier, who died in the 1996 TWA Flight 800 plane crash. One award is made each year, totaling $15,000. Applications are administered through the INSEAD Alumni Foundation Women’s Scholarship, mentioned above. Read more here.

Deadline: 12 May 2014 (Round 1, December 2015 Class) and 16 July 2014 (Round 2)

INSEAD Mette Roed Heyerdahl Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded in memory of a Norwegian lawyer who worked on women’s rights in Palestine, Nepal and Uganda. The scholarship is given to women from Palestine, other countries in the Middle East (including Turkey), Uganda, or Nepal. Applicants should be committed to a career in their region. Awards of up to 12,000 euros are given annually. Read more here

Deadline: 12 May 2014 (Round 1, December 2015 Class) and 16 July 2014 (Round 2)

London Business School:

The London Business School Women’s Scholarship

This award covers first year tuition fees in an effort to support female applicants to LBS. All female applicants will automatically be considered if they apply in Stages 1, 2 or 3.

Celia Atkin Avent Scholarship

This scholarship is open to female applicants from the United Kingdom who have demonstrated exceptional talent and motivation for success. The scholarship covers first year fees. Candidates accepted in Stages 1, 2 or 3 will be sent details on how to apply.

The Carlsson Family Scholarship

This scholarship aims to increase female enrollment at LBS with awards of 20,000 pounds annually. Candidates are automatically considered upon application.

Lloyds Scholars MBA Scholarship for Women

This scholarship is open to all female applicants who are residents or nationals of the United Kingdom. Four awards are given annually, each amounting to 30,000 pounds. Candidates are automatically considered upon application.

Deutsche Bank Women’s Scholarships

Four awards of 20,000 pounds are available for female applicants who are seeking a career in financial services. Candidates from Stages 1, 2 or 3 will be sent application details.

For more information about these and other LBS scholarships, read more here.

Private Scholarships for Women

In addition to school-specific funding, many foundations and corporations offer some wonderful scholarships for female business students. Here are three major ones.

The American Association of University Women Career Development Grants

The AAUW is one of the largest providers of graduate funding for women. Career Development Grants are designed for women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are seeking an advance degree, often to change careers or re-enter the workforce. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and preference is given to women of color. Read more here.

Deadline: December 2014 (specific date not yet posted)

 The Forté Fellows Program

Forté Fellowships cover program fees at participating schools, which include the likes of Harvard Business School, The Wharton School, Columbia GSB, Ross School of Business, Booth School of Business, Haas School of Business, Yale School of Management, and the Darden School of Business. See a full list of participating schools here. Fellows also benefit from networking opportunities with leading companies in the Forté network and with other Fellows. Successful applicants will prove exemplary academics and leadership as well as a commitment to advancing the interests of women and girls. Forté Fellows are automatically considered during participating schools’ application processes. Read more here.

The Morgan Stanley MBA Fellowship

This scholarship is intended for exceptional female, black, Hispanic, Native American or LGBT students pursuing an MBA. It includes a financial award and a summer internship offer. Applications are due between September and December of applicants’ first year. Read more here.

Deadline: September-December 2014