The days of getting a job in the business industry and working your way up the career ladder without a degree are a thing of the past, but you may wonder how you will pay for the total cost of your education on your own. Business scholarships and programs offer free money that students can use to cover the cost of their tuition as well as other expenses, including a room on campus, a meal plan and even textbooks. The 10 great scholarships for business majors found here require different things on the part of applicants like a personal essay or a copy of your resume.
1. ALPFA Scholarship Program
The Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) is a professional organization that formed in the early 1970s to help Latinos working in the business industry. It now offers its own scholarship, which is open to students who are Hispanic and a member of the organization. You must be enrolled in a business program offered by an accredited college or university at the time you apply and have a 3.0 grade point average. The ALPFA begins accepting applications at the beginning of February but has a deadline in the middle of May.
2. Gates Millennium Scholars Program
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program launched in 2000 as a way to award students who could not otherwise afford to attend college. It granted scholarships totaling more than $94 million between 2000 and 2014. The amount given to individual students depends on the amount of financial need each one has. Most receive an amount that covers what other financial aid like grants and institutional scholarships do not cover. The Gates Millennium Scholar Program also offers some funding for students working on an MBA or another type of advanced graduate degree.
3. The Dell Scholars Program
The Dell Scholars Program grants scholarships to those who need extra help paying for college, but this program looks at more than just the grades a student receives. It also takes into account what a student did to prepare for college, including the type of curriculum you followed in high school and whether you took any advanced placement or college classes. Prospective scholars must submit their applications by January 15. The program will notify its semifinalists in February and make its final decisions in April.
4. AFCEA Young Entrepreneur Scholarship
The Armed Forces Communications & Electronic Assistance (AFCEA) Young Entrepreneur Scholarship awards more than $2 million in scholarships every year to students studying a STEM field, which includes science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The money specifically goes to students who will help the government or the military later. Students must be at least a sophomore in college and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. These scholarships can provide students with up to $5,000 for each of the coming semesters, and students can apply again in the future.
5. RentDeals.com Scholarship Program
RentDeals.com is a website that helps people find apartments at low prices, but the site also has its own scholarship program that hands out $1,000 scholarships to three students every year. Students must be in college or ready to start college and maintain a 3.0 GPA. One of its scholarships is only open to students who are the first in their families to attend college. Applicants may need to submit other information to the scholarship program, including a resume, short biography or a letter of recommendation from an employer, guidance counselor or teacher.
6. Business Forum Foundation
Women interested in studying business can apply for one of the scholarships offered by the Business Forum Foundation. It offers smaller scholarships in the $500 range as well as larger awards of $5,000 or more. The Judy Rose Scholarship that it awards goes to a woman going back to school after taking time off to raise a family or work. Students must complete the application by November 10. The Business Forum Foundation will interview its semifinalists in March and announce its winners at the end of the month or in April.
7. GreenPal Scholarship for Tomorrow’s Entrepreneur
The GreenPal Scholarship for Tomorrow’s Entrepreneur is a scholarship program that awards a $1,000 scholarship to one worthy student each year. It also offers an evergreen scholarship worth $2,000 that winners can renew during each of the four years they remain in college. Though it requires that students submit applications at the beginning of January, winners will know by the end of April, which gives them time to prepare for the fall semester.
8. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
ZONTA International offers the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship for women who want to work in the business industry. The organization created this program as a way to bring diversity to the business world and to encourage women to go to work in business. Twelve women from around the world will each receive a $7,000 scholarship, and 32 women from across the United States will each receive a $1,000 prize. This program is open to any woman majoring in business or a related field.
9. Executive Women International Scholarship Program
The Executive Women International Scholarship Program (EWISP) is open to all women studying business and related fields. Students have the chance to win a scholarship of $1,000 to $5,000 at the chapter or local level. The winners of those awards then compete for the chance to receive larger scholarships from corporations. High school students in their final years receive more than $200,000 in scholarships every year. The program looks at the activities and clubs the student does, her grades and experience.
10. Cappex Business Majors Scholarship
One of the top scholarship programs open only to business students is the Cappex Business Majors Scholarship. Cappex awards one student a $1,000 scholarship each year. Designed for those who want to work as managers and executives, the program looks at each application carefully to find worthy applicants. You must show that you have volunteer experience, good grades, strong leadership skills and a commitment to studying some aspect of business.
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Though you can apply for loans and use the FAFSA to see if you qualify for other financial aid programs, don’t forget about scholarships. Even the smallest of scholarships will bring down your total cost. Consider applying for at least one of these 10 great scholarships for business majors.