The Stanford USA MBA Fellowship provides financial assistance to students who wish to obtain an MBA at Stanford GSB and are committed to economic development in regions of the United States that have been underrepresented in the MBA Program.
This year, the Fellowship focuses on the U.S. Midwest and pays for tuition and associated fees (approximately US $170,000 over two years) for Stanford MBA students who demonstrate financial need and strong ties to the Midwest.
Within two years of graduation from Stanford GSB, Stanford USA MBA Fellows must begin working in the Midwest region in a professional role that contributes to the region’s economic development. Thus, fellows must live and work in the Midwest for at least two years by the time they are four years out of the Stanford MBA Program.
In 2018-2019, Stanford GSB will award up to three Stanford USA MBA Fellowships.
Fellowship Eligibility
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. If you are a dual citizen, you are eligible as long as you hold U.S. citizenship.
- Demonstrated financial need is preferred, as assessed through the Stanford GSB financial aid process after admission.
- You must demonstrate strong ties to, and a commitment to the economic development of, at least one of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Examples of strong connections with the Midwest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Current residency in one of the eligible states
- Prior residency for a minimum of three consecutive years in one of the eligible states
- Graduation from a high school in one of the eligible states
- Experiences that demonstrate a strong commitment to, and interest in, the development of the region
Application Process
To be considered for the Stanford USA MBA Fellowship, you must apply in either Round 1 (by 18 September 2018) or Round 2 (by 10 January 2019) of the MBA application process. We cannot consider you for the fellowship in Round 3. If you have already been admitted to the GSB and have deferred enrollment, you must apply to the USA MBA Fellowship the year prior to your enrollment. For more information about fellowships and deferred enrollment, please visit Deferred Enrollment.
In the MBA application, you will indicate that you are applying for the Stanford USA MBA Fellowship; doing so will trigger a prompt for an additional essay (listed below). You must submit the Stanford USA MBA Fellowship essay with your completed MBA Program application by the appropriate application deadline. Suggested essay length is 400 words. Follow the formatting requirements as outlined in the Essay Instructions.
Essay Topic
Tell us about your connection(s) to the Midwest region and about your intended contributions to the region.
Evaluation Criteria
We will select Stanford USA Fellows within a month after both the Round 1 and Round 2 notification dates. Selection will be based on our general MBA admission criteria, as well as the following criteria specific to the Fellowship:
Commitment to Developing the Midwest
Stanford USA MBA Fellows must return to work in one of the states in the Midwest region within two years of Stanford MBA graduation, for a period of at least two years. Stanford MBA students pursue a wide variety of careers after graduation. Competitive applicants will demonstrate a commitment to pursue professional opportunities that foster the development of the region. As such, we require Stanford USA MBA Fellows to work for, invest in, or create organizations with significant operations and impact in the region.
Financial Need
After you are admitted to the MBA Program, you will complete Stanford’s financial aid application process, which requires information about your assets and income, including copies of your tax returns. Stanford will determine your financial need based on personal financial information you submit in this financial aid application process. For more information, visit the Financial Aid section of our website.
Stanford USA MBA Fellows receive financial support for the cost of Stanford MBA tuition and associated fees for the two-year course of study. You may be eligible for additional financial assistance if your level of need exceeds the amount of the Fellowship (approximately US $170,000). Read more about the cost of attendance.
If you are admitted to the MBA Program, but are not selected as a Stanford USA MBA Fellow, you will remain eligible to receive other forms of need-based financial aid. Your financial aid package will be based on your demonstrated need in your financial aid application and typically includes a combination of fellowships and loans.
