Business Management Financial Aid & Scholarships

December 23, 2020 | Staff Writers

Explore Funding Opportunities, Resources & Tips For An Affordable Degree

A business degree can lead to a future in administration, finance, accounting, marketing or several other corporate careers. However, the high costs of a college education can often stop prospective students from pursuing a business degree. Find financial aid and scholarship resources, alternative solutions to pay for college, and information that can help lead to a debt-free business degree.

Find & Research Business Management Scholarships

Prospective business students can search for scholarships based on a range of criteria, such as academic performance, career goals and research focus. Scholarships may be earmarked for tuition, projects, further research or other education-based expenses

Rank	Name	Amount	Deadline
1	Daniel B. Goldberg Scholarship	$14,000	Late February
2	Frank L. Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship	$8,000	Late February
3	Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship	$9,000	Late February
4	Government Finance Professional Development Scholarship	$9,000	Late February
5	CBAI Annual Scholarship Program	$4,000	Early February
6	Al Conklin and Bill de Decker Business Aviation Management Scholarship	$5,000	Late July
7	Eddie Queen Business Aviation Management Scholarship	$2,500	Late July
8	National Black MBA Association Graduate Scholarship	Varies	Late June
9	National Black MBA Association Undergraduate Scholarship	Varies	Late June
10	Fauth Business Scholarship	$10,000	Varies
11	ARTBA Student Transportation Video Contest	$500	Mid-August
12	International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) Scholarship Program	$2,000	Mid-August
13	Blue Ash Business Association Scholarship	$2,000	Late March
14	Clubs of America Scholarship Award for Career Success	$1,500	Late August
15	Rapid Formation Entrepreneur Scholarship Programme	$750	Late August
16	Illinois CPA Society Exam Award	$750	Mid-September
17	FormSwift Startup Scholarship	$1,000	Mid-September
18	Acorn Equality Fund Pauls Scholarship	$5,000	Late September
19	ZipRecruiter Scholarship Challenge	$3,000	Late September
20	Wealthsimple Finance and Economics Scholarship	$1,000	Late August
21	SHRM Graduate Foundation Scholarship	$5,000	Mid-October
22	Richard Eaton Award	$2,500	Mid-October
23	California Association of Realtors Scholarship Foundation Award	$4,000	Early September
24	Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program	$9,000	Early September
25	CalCPA Inland Empire Chapter Scholarship	$2,000	Late October
26	Internal Auditor Scholarship Program	$1,000	Late September
27	Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance Scholarship	$2,000	Late January
28	CARID Scholarship Program	$1,000	Late October
29	Build U. Scholarship	$2,500	Early November
30	SILA Foundation Post-Secondary College Scholarship	$2,500	Late May
31	AICPA John L. Carey Scholarship	$5,000	Early April
32	AICPA/Accountemps Student Scholarship Award	$10,000	Early April
33	The A.A. and Hattie Mae Bush Accounting Scholarship	$4,000	Mid-February
34	American Society of Women Accountants	$2,000	Early March
35	Harvey Fellowship	$12,000	Early November
36	Gladys A. Moreau Scholarship	$1,500	Mid-November
37	Marjorie M. Shostak Scholarship	$1,500	Mid-November
38	Herman J. Neal Scholarship	$4,000	Early April
39	Illinois CPA Society Accounting Scholarship Program	$4,000	Early April
40	Illinois CPA Society Women’s Executive Committee Advancing Women in Accounting Scholarship	$4,000	Early April
41	Illinois CPA Society Accounting Textbook Scholarship	$500	Early April
42	Laurels Fund Scholarships	$5,000	Mid-May
43	Maine State Chamber of Commerce Scholarship	$1,500	Varies
44	Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance Scholarship	$2,500	Early May
45	Seguritan: Frederick and Demi Seguritan Scholarship	$5,000	Late February
46	Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund	$2,000	Early March
47	Mel C. Marshall Student Scholarship	$4,000	Varies
48	AfterCollege Business Student Scholarship	$500	Late September
49	UADP Scholarship for Accounting	$1,500	Late November
50	Arizona Business & Professional Women’s Foundation Scholarships	$1,500	Early April
51	CalCPA Peninsula Chapter Accounting Scholarship	$2,000	Late September
52	McNally Smith College of Music Scholarship	$7,500	Early December
53	Ford Motor Company Tribal Scholarship	$3,000	Late May
54	Hoods Memorial Scholarship	$2,000	Early May
55	Jewish Community Center (JCC) North American Graduate Scholarship	Varies	Early February
56	Adore Me Scholarship	$1,000	Early December
57	JSU Alabama Bob & Lou Kennamer Scholarship	$1,200	Early March
58	Worthy Women’s Professional Studies Scholarship	$2,500	Mid-December
59	Logomator Scholarship	$500	Mid-December
60	TableLegsOnline.com Future Entrepreneurs of America Scholarship	$500	Late December
61	Morgan Stanley Tribal Scholars Program	$5,000	Late May
62	NEWWA Francis X. Crowley Scholarship	$3,000	Early April
63	UNF Coggin Pathways to Success Scholarship	$2,000	Mid-October
64	Phi Chi Theta Anna E. Hall/Helen D. Snow Scholarships	$1,000	Early May
65	PMI Central Florida Chapter Scholarship	$1,000	Early June
66	PMI Eastern Iowa Chapter Scholarship	$1,000	Early May
67	Movers Corp Scholarship	$1,000	Mid-January
68	PMI Robert J. Yourzak Scholarship Award	$2,000	Early May
69	Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship	$60,000	Mid-December
70	Search to Learn Scholarship	$1,000	Mid-October
71	Surety & Fidelity Industry Intern and Scholarship Program	$5,000	Mid-November
72	The Graydon & Myrth Fox Scholarship	$5,000	Late March
73	The LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships	$2,500	Late February
74	Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation (ILREEF) Academic Scholarship	$1,000	Early April
75	Tidewater AGC Educational Scholarships	$5,000	Late November
76	Association of Illinois Real Estate Educators (AIREE) Alan S. Toban Grant	$500	Mid-April
77	George Mason Business Scholarship Fund	$1,000	Late January
78	AACE International Competitive Scholarship Program	$2,500	Late February
79	RDW Group, Inc. Minority Scholarship for Communications	$2,000	Late April
80	Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships	$20,000	Early March
81	Jay Kaplan Memorial Scholarship	$2,000	Early March
82	Dominion Diversity Internship/Scholarship Program	$5,000	Late May
83	GEICO Achievement Award	$1,000	Early February
84	Harry Applegate Scholarship	Varies	Mid-January
85	Don DeBolt DECA Scholarship	$2,000	Mid-January
86	Northwest Vermont Accounting Scholarship	$500	Early March
87	Paul Gallagher Entrepreneurial Scholarship	$2,000	Early March
88	Generation III Scholarship Fund	$1,000	Mid-March
89	Gene Swackhamer Agricultural Economics and Business Scholarship	$500	Late April
90	Tri-State Surveying and Photogrammetry Kris M. Kunze Memorial Scholarship	$2,000	Early October
91	MBA Scholarships Essay Contest	$1,000	Late May
92	New Mexico Higher Education Department Graduate Scholarship Program	$7,200	Early March
93	HubShout Internet Marketing Scholarship	$1,000	Varies
94	Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships	$7,000	Varies
95	The Lead Roster B2B Sales & Marketing Scholarship	$1,000	Mid-December
96	Marketing EDGE Student Marketing Scholarships	$5,000	Mid-April
97	Mary Elizabeth Lockwood Beneventi MBA Scholarship	$2,000	Mid-February
98	African American Heritage Endowed MBA Scholarship	$10,000	Mid-April
99	Andy and Julie Plata Honorary Scholarship	$2,000	Early May
100	Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program	Varies	Late January

The Business Scholarship Application: 8 Winning Tips

Once potential students have compiled a list of applicable scholarships, they must make sure their applications stand out. Here are a few tips on how to make applications shine:

Focus on business experience and knowledgeTry to include only experience relevant to a field involving business. Highlight specific business skills and knowledge gained from recent work employment or internships.
List top academic and life achievementsWhen writing a personal statement, make sure to explain the relationship between your personal and professional background and your future career goals. Do not use overly broad or cliché statements. Spend time explaining your skill set and how you wish to grow in your business pursuits.
Detail relevant business and academic achievementsAny business or academic honors should be highlighted in the scholarship application because they demonstrate dedication.
Prioritize writing the essayDemonstrating concise and effective writing is just as important to an application essay as highlighting qualifications.
Identify your audience before starting your essayAsk the following: Who will be reading the essay? What do they know about you? What are they interested in hearing about you?
Spend extra time on the introductionScholarship committees read a lot of essays, so something fresh and creative is more likely to grab their attention than the standard spiel. Draw readers in by telling them what the essay is about and why they should keep reading. Don’t forget, however, to show that you understand the essay question. You can do this by rephrasing it into your own words.
Show, don’t tellUse descriptive and active word choices in the body of the essay.
Re-read, revise…and then ask a friend to proofreadTypographical errors and awkward phrasing in an essay can sink an application. Print it out and read through it again the next day with fresh eyes. Read it aloud. Go to your college resource center and have professionals edit it and make suggestions. Make sure there are absolutely no errors.

Think Outside the Box: Paying for a Business Degree

While scholarships can be very helpful in lifting the burdens of financial debt, there are other ways students can assist in funding their degree programs. Here are a few oft-overlooked ways to pay for a business degree:

Assess spending

There are many small choices potential students can make to build funds to apply to a graduate degree in business. One easy way to pay for a business degree is by creating a budget to separate necessary costs from unnecessary ones, which will help save money. Start by identifying key necessities and lifestyle needs. Then, calculate specific amounts to your budget and stick to it. Keep a specific record of daily, weekly and monthly transactions.

Start a college savings account

Put 10 percent of each paycheck into a savings account. Do not use that money for anything else.Get work experience

Some colleges allow students to apply their work experience toward course credits, creating a lighter load of classes for students to take, and thus lowering the overall cost of the education. So research your options to find the best fit and the best savings.

Get company assistance

As a benefit to their employees, some companies offer tuition reimbursement or assistance programs for pursuing a college degree. By getting a degree through company funding, your job stability and pay can increase substantially. Some companies fully reimburse for tuition, books and fees, while others only pay a percentage. Check with the human resources department for details.

Use tax reductions

The government offers tax breaks to students pursuing a university education. These tax reductions allow students to subtract college-related expenses from the tax they owe.

Choose a shorter program

Certifications might be a money-saving way to quickly grow your knowledge base in preparation for a business career. There are many business programs that can be completed quicker than a degree, such as business analysis, Web applications and small business certifications. The requirements for pursuing these certifications range from having a bachelor’s degree to applying work experience to passing examinations.

Further Scholarship Resources for Business Students

There are many other business scholarship resources available to aspiring business students. Many organizations offer financial aid based upon specific guidelines, while others are much broader or allow students to tailor their scholarship search to fit their personal profiles. Below, find additional financial aid opportunities for funding the costs associated with a business degree:

ALPFA Scholarship Program

The Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting provides scholarships to Hispanic students pursuing degrees in accounting, finance or other business-related fields. Students must be U.S. citizens and have a 3.0 GPA.

American Business Women’s Association

ABWA gives scholarships to women who are pursuing a business degree. They provide financial assistance and create professional development programs to encourage women’s growth in business and future career pursuits.

Asian Women in Business

AWIB works to support Asian women to earn a degree in business. To apply for scholarships, applicants must be female, permanent residents of the U.S., and of Asian or Pacific Islander ancestry.

FAFSA

The federal government subsidizes college education through financial aid programs, handing out billions of dollars in grants and loans to students each year.

Marketing EDGE

Marketing EDGE provides scholarships to students pursuing the field of marketing, seeking to educate students and provide the resources for them to turn their education into a career.

Project Management Institute Educational Foundation

PMIEF gives specialized scholarships to students pursuing a degree in project management or a related field. Scholarships, grants and other awards are available to undergraduate and graduate students as well as to those interested in professional development.

For more tips and resources for pursuing a business degree, visit our College Learning and Resource Center.

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