MBA Scholarships

Your MBA represents a significant investment in your future. A variety of financial aid programs are available.

All candidates are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships based on their admissions application. Criteria include academic record (undergraduate record, GMAT/GRE), professional promise and focus. Details regarding scholarships are included in the official admissions offer letter.

Scholarships for Incoming Admitted Students

UC Native American Opportunity Plan

The University of California Native American Opportunity Plan ensures that in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees are fully covered for California students in state supported academic programs who are also enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. 

The Part-Time MBA programs are not state supported. However, for the Part-Time MBA programs, the Graduate School of Management has committed to provide an equivalent financial aid program. Eligible Part-Time MBA students will receive a scholarship of $28,880 in total to be allocated over the course of their program. Students must submit the eligibility affidavit and documentation on the UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships to confirm eligibility. For more information and eligibility requirements, please speak with your admissions counselor.

To learn more about the cost of professional degree programs, visit the UC Davis Financial Aid website.

Military Applicants

We are committed to making merit scholarship and financial aid available to qualified military personnel. We offer the following to U.S. military and former U.S. military personnel:

Awards up to $6,000 for tuition expenses not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill to up to two eligible UC Davis Graduate School of Management students; with this Veterans Affairs (VA) will match that amount dollar for dollar. For more information, please visit the Military Applicants webpage.

Joncarlo and Jami Mark Scholarship

Established by Joncarlo Mark MBA 00, and his wife, Jami Rubin-Mark, this scholarship is to assist in recruiting outstanding students with financial needs to help ease their burden of educational expenses, such as books and information technology that will enable them to thrive in the MBA program. The scholarship is available for full-time and part-time students (est. 2019).

Kenneth E. and Joanne M. Nitzberg Scholarship 

In appreciation for what UC Davis has meant to them, Ken and Joanne Nitzberg made this gift especially to benefit re-entry women students in the full or part-time (Bay Area and Sacramento) MBA programs. The two-year endowed fellowship honors Ken’s mother, who returned to finish her college education after raising her family (est. 1998).  

Richard and Joy Dorf Endowed Fellowship, with Matching Support from the Graduate Student Fellowship Matching Initiative

Established by Richard C. and Joy M. Dorf, this award supports students in the full-time or part-time (Bay Area and Sacramento) MBA programs or the MPAc program from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds defined as students from low-income backgrounds as defined by the Graduate Financial Aid Office and for students who have demonstrated potential for leadership in increasing the participation of underrepresented minorities in business (est. 2015).

Richard and Joy Dorf Endowed Graduate Award, with Matching Support from the UC Davis Foundation

Established by Professor Emeritus Dick Dorf and his wife, Joy, this award assists in recruiting outstanding students for the Full-Time MBA program (est. 2013).

Zaiss Ventures Fellowship 

Established by Zaiss Ventures to support outstanding students in the Full Time-MBA program (est. 2015).

Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders (SIEML) Program Alumni Applicants

SIEML alumni, who have completed the program within the past 7 years, are eligible for this award if they are admitted into the Bay Area or Sacramento Part-Time MBA program. Total 36 units fees* for the Bay Area or Sacramento Part-Time MBA programs will be covered by the Graduate School of Management for SIEML alumni. Credit will be implemented over the course of the program. There is no application process. SIEML graduates should identify yourself on their admissions application. The admissions committee will verify your eligibility. If admitted, scholarship details will be included on your admissions offer letter. Financial awards will not be added if a student has an existing scholarship package that exceeds the SIEML commitment. 

*Subject to change

Regional Scholarships for Incoming Admitted Students (Sacramento)

The UC Davis Sacramento Part-Time MBA program has raised management talent and contributed to the Capital Region’s economic growth and renaissance.

Current members of the following Chambers are eligible:

  • Sacramento Metro Chamber (Metro EDGE)
  • Folsom Chamber of Commerce (FLYP)
  • Roseville Chamber of Commerce (Ignite Young Professionals)

There is no additional application needed for this scholarship. Please mark your chamber membership on the MBA application. 

Regional Scholarships for Incoming Admitted Students (Bay Area)

The UC Davis Bay Area Part-Time MBA program celebrates our membership with the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce and our fellow Bishop Ranch companies by offering you access to a special scholarship created to transform your career and reach your leadership potential.

There is no additional application needed for this scholarship. Please mark your affiliation on your MBA application. 

UC Davis Employees and Immediate Family Members Scholarships for Incoming Admitted Students

As part of our investment in talent development at UC Davis, the Graduate School of Management offers scholarships at the UC Davis main campus, UC Davis San Ramon campus, UC Law campus in San Francisco and at UC Davis Health.

  • Employee scholarships can be used for either the Bay Area Part-Time MBA or Sacramento Part-Time MBA program.
  • Immediate Family Member scholarships can be used for the Full-Time MBA, Bay Area Part-Time MBA, Sacramento Part-Time MBA, Master of Professional Accountancy, Master of Science in Business Analytics or the in-person Master of Management programs.

Ideal candidates have accomplished professionals with high leadership potential. These awards are competitive and are awarded based on intellectual curiosity and strength, demonstrated leadership, professional effectiveness, and strong teamwork and communication skills.

Details for each award are hyperlinked below. 

How do I apply?

To apply for the scholarship:

  1. Start and submit your MBA application.
  2. Select your UC Davis affiliation in the MBA application.
  3. Then, under “Please use this field to upload any additional requested documents from the Admissions Committee, such as supplemental scholarship documents.”, please upload a PDF version of your scholarship essay and letter of endorsement (requirements for these documents can be found below).

Scholarships for Current Students

Thanks to the generosity of our friends and alumni, the Graduate School of Management is proud to offer several scholarships and awards to our students who excel inside the classroom and show great leadership and management potential. Each donor scholarship and fellowship has specific criteria that must be addressed in the application.

What scholarships and awards are available?

The following donor-funded scholarships are available to our MBA students:

William and Jean M. Allewelt Award for Management Students

Established by William and Jean Allewelt, this scholarship is one of the first endowed awards at the Graduate School of Management. It supports an MBA student in good academic standing. Preference is given to a parent (married or single) who demonstrates financial need (est. 1998).

Brad Atwood Scholarship

Established by Virginia and Greg Kelsch to honor the pivotal role that Brad Atwood, former Vice-Chancellor of UC Irvine, played in recognizing Virginia’s career potential. This scholarship supports an MBA student (from any of the MBA programs- Full-Time, Bay Area, Sacramento or Online) who is interested in pursuing a career in non-profit management or who has an interest or background in non-profits (est. 1993).

California Wine Industry Management Education Award

Established to honor the California wine industry's strong partnership with Professor Emeritus Robert Smiley, this fellowship supports an MBA student (from any of the MBA programs, including Full-Time, Bay Area, Sacramento or Online) interested in becoming a professional within the California wine industry (est. 1998). 

James R. and Georgia K. Corbett Fellowship for Student Entrepreneur

Established by James and Georgia Corbett, passionate mentors and long-time supporters of the School, this fellowship supports an outstanding MBA student (from any of the MBA programs: Full-Time, Bay Area, Sacramento or Online) who are judged to have motivation, potential and passion for succeeding in the entrepreneurial world (est. 2000).

Dolan Family Management Education Award

Established by Eamonn and Kathleen Dolan, this award supports Full-Time, Bay Area Part-Time, or Sacramento Part-Time MBA students who face or have overcome significant financial hardships or other obstacles. Selection shall be based upon a statement submitted by an applicant or a student who has overcome, or is currently facing, a significant personal financial hardship or other obstacles in their lifetime (disability or tragic family circumstance, etc.). For additional clarification and to provide an example, while some students may have parents who faced hardship, the Award is intended for students who have experienced hardship personally and directly. Preference is given to a student who graduated from a high school located in one of the following geographic areas (in order of priority): 1) City of Oakland; 2) Contra Costa County or Alameda County; or 3) State of California. (est. 2013). Secondary consideration, if needed, will be based on service to the community.

Robert and Miriam Glock Graduate Award

Established by Miriam Glock to support the recruitment and retention of Full-Time MBA students pursuing their studies and careers in finance and exhibiting financial need. The finance field was selected to honor Miriam Glock’s late husband, Robert Glock, and his successful career in finance (est. 2013).

HM.CLAUSE

The HM.CLAUSE Agricultural Business Fellowship Award is for an MBA student (from any of the MBA programs: Full-Time, Bay Area, Sacramento, or Online) who has a demonstrated interest in pursuing a profession in the agriculture industry (specifically related to crop and seed development), and who possesses the drive and the leadership potential to be successful in this business.

Stephen G. and Shelley A. Newberry Endowed Distinguished Fellowship

Established for a Full-Time Second Year MBA student who has the potential to be a successful team leader in business. The recipient may not be of the highest academic ranking but demonstrates great potential for leadership (est. 2008).

External Scholarships

The UC Davis Graduate School of Management has compiled the following list of external scholarship opportunities as a service to the community. Students should work directly with each agency to verify their processes and eligibility—and should verify the legitimacy of any organization they provide personal information.

External Scholarships

The UC Davis Graduate School of Management has compiled the following list of external scholarship opportunities as a service to the community. Students should work directly with each agency to verify their processes and eligibility—and should verify the legitimacy of any organization they provide personal information.

Third Party Scholarship Search Engines

Be Advised: UC Davis does not guarantee the validity of the preceding information or agencies. As with any scholarship you apply for, beware of scams. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships warns students to be cautious of scholarship search firms that have any of these elements:

  • You have to pay a fee
  • Money-Back Guarantee
  • Credit Card / Bank Account Information Required
  • Offers Exclusive Information
  • Promises cash if you pay a registration fee
  • Pay a fee and they guarantee you’ll win awards
  • Pay a fee and receive a low interest rate education loan
  • Promises to replace loans with grant if you pay a processing fee