MBA Resources and Scholarships for Indigenous and Native American Students

According to a February 2018 Graduate Management Admission Council report, Indigenous and Native Americans are the least represented group in applying for MBA programs. Only 431 of 79,746 GMAT examinees in 2017 were Indigenous or Native American.

The same report shows that 74% of those Indigenous and Native American MBA candidates planned to use grants, fellowships, or scholarships to pay for graduate school, compared to 49% of their non-underrepresented peers.

MBA scholarships are therefore key in making graduate school accessible for Indigenous and Native American business students. To learn more, explore this guide.

MBA Application Preparation

Like all scholarships, the application process for Indigenous and Native American MBA scholarships involves several steps. First, it's crucial to review the eligibility criteria before you apply.

While you may see many similarities between programs, eligibility criteria can vary.

Requirements you can expect include providing proof of tribal affiliation, enrollment in an accredited MBA program, minimum GPA requirement, and supporting documents such as:

• Academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• A personal statement or essay
• A resume

Some scholarship programs may require interviews or essay prompts specific to the scholarship. So read carefully.

Remember to keep close track of deadlines as you identify scholarship programs you want to apply to. Respecting deadlines is crucial. You can create a digital or paper calendar, a spreadsheet, or a bulleted list in a notebook or in a Google Doc.

Regardless of the project management system you've created, ensure you use it to record deadlines. Start the application process early enough to secure letters of recommendation and gather and create all other required documents.

Resources for Indigenous and Native American MBA Students

Frequently Asked Questions About MBA Scholarships for Indigenous and Native American Students

Can MBA scholarships for Indigenous students be used for both online and on-campus MBA programs?

Yes. Students can typically use MBA scholarships for online, on-campus, and hybrid programs. However, it's best to read each scholarship's specific terms and conditions to ensure the scholarship is a good fit for you, given eligibility requirements and your unique needs.

How competitive are these MBA scholarships, and what can I do to increase my chance of being awarded one?

Scholarships for Indigenous students are often highly competitive, though only sometimes. For example, at least 95% of applicants earn a Catching the Dream Scholarship.

You can increase your chances of winning a scholarship by focusing on academic excellence while demonstrating community involvement and leadership potential.

Drawing on these experiences, you can craft a convincing, persuasive application highlighting your unique talents and perspective. Also, share your aspirations and how you plan to reach your goals.

Are there any post-graduation obligations associated with receiving an MBA scholarship for Indigenous and Native American students?

Whether you encounter post-graduation obligations associated with your MBA scholarship as an Indigenous student depends on your scholarship provider.

While many scholarships require nothing from you, some may require you to fulfill particular commitments, for example, agreeing to take a picture and provide a quotation, like the Study.com scholarship listed above.

Some scholarship programs may want you to give a speech, work for a specific organization, carry out research projects, or return to your tribal community to contribute your newfound knowledge and skills.