Scholarships from Professional Organizations
Updated February 21, 2023 · 5 Min Read
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As a current or prospective MBA student, consider joining a professional organization geared toward your goals.
Professional organizations offer networking and development opportunities to enhance your career. They also provide industry news, exclusive research, professional training, and resources to members.
Some professional organizations fund scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students to assist with their educational financing. Unlike student loans, recipients do not have to repay these scholarships.
Often the scholarships professional organizations hand out require applicants to be members. Membership may involve annual dues between $100 - $600.
Organizations may also choose candidates based on their MBA concentration, scholarship essay, references, and professional qualifications.
We have compiled a list of scholarships from professional organizations geared toward MBA and graduate students.
Each scholarship snippet includes details about its applicant requirements, award amounts, and the professional organization offering the scholarship.
Featured Scholarships
The scholarships professional organizations offer often serve a specific career or industry related to the organization's goals. They may also be available only to an organization's members.
The following alphabetical list features only scholarships for business graduate students or MBA degree-seekers.
ARMA International Educational Foundation (AIEF) Scholarship — Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA)
- Who Can Apply: Students pursuing an information management degree at any level.
- Amount: Up to $1,200 for undergraduates; up to $3,000 for graduate, post-graduate, and advanced-degree students
- ARMA's educational foundation encourages research, development, and education in the information management industry. Candidates may apply from any country if they have yet to receive an AIEF scholarship within the past five years.
ASA Pride Scholarship — American Statistical Association (ASA)
- Who Can Apply: Graduate students identifying within or as allies of the LGBTQ+ community, while enrolled in a data science program.
- Amount: Varies
- This scholarship can assist MBA students specializing in data science or data analytics advance their studies. Applicants must submit a resume and personal statement explaining their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and how the scholarship can propel their future in data science.
Associated General Contractors (AGC) Graduate Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: College seniors enrolling in a master's or doctoral construction management program accredited by ABET or the American Council for Construction Education.
- Amount: $3,750 annually, up to $7,500
- The AGC Education and Research Foundation awards this scholarship to enhance the pool of qualified candidates in construction management. Applicants must submit their transcripts and evaluations from their employer and academic advisor.
Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) Scholarship
- Who Can Apply: Undergraduate or graduate students who are current premium members of ALPFA.
- Amount: Varies
- ALPFA connects Latino professionals with resources and educational opportunities to develop their careers. The organization receives scholarship donations from several partners, including Robert Half and Bank of America.
Certified Business Economist (CBE) Scholarship Program — National Association for Business Economics (NABE)
- Who Can Apply: Graduates of a bachelor's degree program with at least one year of work experience in economics or enrolled in a CBE University Partnership Program.
- Amount: Up to $1,700 for CBE-related fees, awarded every two years
- Current MBA students interested in earning a CBE credential can apply for the CBE scholarship to fund their CBE courses and exam.
Cheslie C. Kryst Memorial Scholarships — Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
- Who Can Apply: SHRM members enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate human resources degree program.
- Amount: $10,000
- This scholarship recognizes students interested in human resources who also prioritize mental health in the workplace. Candidates must prove academic excellence through their transcripts and a letter of recommendation.
CMA Scholarship — Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
- Who Can Apply: Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students interested in IMA certification.
- Amount: Varies; award covers certification-related expenses
- Students seeking IMA's certified management accountant credential can apply for this scholarship to receive free exam registration, training, review materials, and a three-year IMA membership. Eligible candidates must request a nomination from a professor from their accredited school to apply.
Dr. Harold Kerzner Scholarships — Project Management Institute (PMI)
- Who Can Apply: Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a project management degree program from an accredited college or university.
- Amount: $7,500
- Named for Dr. Harold Kerzner's dedication and excellence in project management, this scholarship assists students with the financial costs of their degrees. The program awards multiple scholarships each year.
Foster G. McGaw Graduate Student Scholarship — American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
- Who Can Apply: Graduate students completing their final year of a healthcare management program, including MBA students.
- Amount: $5,000
- Applicants do not need to be ACHE members, but ACHE gives preference to members demonstrating a financial need. The one-time award requires applicants to submit transcripts, an essay, and three letters of recommendation.
Goldberg-Miller Public Finance Scholarship — Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
- Who Can Apply: Full-time graduate-level students.
- Amount: $20,000
- This scholarship awards one graduate student each year to help them pursue a government finance career at the state or local level. Applicants must submit one letter of recommendation noting their commitment to the industry.
IPMA-HR Scholarship — International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR)
- Who Can Apply: Undergraduate or graduate pursuing a human resources management degree.
- Amount: $1,000-$2,000
- Although IPMA-HR does not require membership for applicants, it gives members preference. The scholarship is designed to help fund the education of learners seeking a career in public or private-sector human resources. Graduate students earn the maximum award amount.
Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship — Zonta International
- Who Can Apply: Women in undergraduate or graduate programs specializing in business management, business accounting, or a similar business-focused field. Applicants must not be members of Zonta International or directly affiliated with members of the organization.
- Amount: $5,000
- Zonta International clubs and donors fund the Jane M. Klausman scholarship fund to assist women across the globe pursue a business career. The scholarship awards 37 women annually.
National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) Scholarship Program
- Who Can Apply: Black graduate students pursuing a healthcare management degree at an accredited institution.
- Amount: $5,000
- The NAHSE Scholarship Program funds three different scholarships for Black students. The Haynes Rice Award prioritizes academic achievement, the Ellis Bonner Award recognizes student leaders, and the Florence Gaynor Award rewards women learners.
National Technical Honor Society Scholarships — Business Professionals of America (BPA)
- Who Can Apply: Students holding current memberships with BPA and the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). Applicants must be pursuing a degree in business management or a related field.
- Amount: $1,000
- BPA partners with NTHS to award annual scholarships to three recipients who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership in NTHS.
Yellow Ribbon Scholarship — American Bus Association (ABA)
- Who Can Apply: Undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a transportation or tourism-focused program, such as hospitality management. Recipients must also be military veterans, be the child of a wounded veteran, or have a physical or sensory disability.
- Amount: $5,000
- ABA offers scholarships to promising candidates showing academic excellence and a commitment to the travel and tourism industry. The American Bus Association Foundation began the program in honor of former CEO and president, George T. Snyder, Jr.
Common Questions about MBA Scholarships From Professional Organizations
Do I have to join a professional organization to get an MBA scholarship?
Students seeking scholarships from professional orgs do not always need to be members of that organization. However, some professional organizations do offer their scholarships exclusively to members. Check the scholarship's requirements to determine eligibility.
How do I get a scholarship from a professional organization?
Each organization lists criteria for the scholarships they offer. Scholarships from professional organizations often require an application and written essay. Rarely, they may expect a professional interview or participation in a specific event they host.
Professional organizations often require their scholarship applicants to be current members or become members before applying. They may also seek candidates pursuing a degree in a specific concentration and exhibiting stand-out professional credentials and references.
How do professional organizations benefit from giving scholarships?
When professional organizations require membership from scholarship applicants, they draw awareness to their organization and gain members. Offering financial support through scholarships can enhance the pool of qualified candidates within the organization's industry.
It can also be a marketing tactic meant to provide positive publicity for the brand. They may receive credibility, and recognition, and receive media mentions.
Reviewed By:
Krystal Covington, MBA
Krystal Covington, MBA, is a business growth strategist with 15 years of experience in marketing and public relations. Her company, Go Lead Consulting, provides clients foundational tools to build new client and customer relationships.
Covington founded Women of Denver, one of the largest privately held membership organizations in Denver, Colorado. Her program helps women increase their business acumen, sharpen leadership skills and connect with other high-achieving women. Covington received her MBA from Western Governors University in 2012.
Krystal Covington, MBA is a paid member of Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
Page last reviewed October 31, 2022.
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