scholarship covering full study fees

Question

Hello!
Does anyone know if there have been cases when a granted scholarship covered full study costs? So one shouldn't burden himself with a loan or putting in one's money? And, on top of that, can the b-school finance living expenses as well, at least for a short while until one finds a job ? 
The matter of fact I don't have a single penny left from my salary to put into my MBA fund, so basically, the scholarship of enormous size is what I solely hope for.

Thanks in advance.

rhyme · Answer

Yes, such scholarships exist. And yes, you can take loans to cover living expenses too.

asimov · Answer

Full tuition scholarships are very rare. Pelihu (went to Darden) got one. I would say don't go in with a mindset of getting a full ride.

I'm in the same boat as you. I have very little savings and am having trouble coming up with the tuition + living cost. I'm probably going to sign my life away in a loan.

WantGMAT800 · Answer

2 rhyme Thanks for your response. If such scholarships exist that's good. Hope you can clarify some things for me with loans issue. How are they given? I mean do banks or whoever give it to international students, even from far away countries, like Ukraine? And how do those institutions expect me to pay it back if I won't be able to work full time for at least two years? Is it like they roll repayments over for 2 years time? 2 asimov That's pessimistic

. If one has faith, then everything's possible. How many seats does our boat have? Should we pick up somebody else to charge him and use his money as tuition fee?

... Cheer up, I have a loan in my country and I have no clue on how I am going to redeem it

, economic situation in Ukraine is extremely down.

rhyme · Answer

I'm not an expert in loans, as I paid for my schooling out of pocket. Perhaps someone else can add some clarity here.

In general, the way I understand it is that there are no loan payments during the period in which you are in school, so you only need to worry about it once you graduate.

WantGMAT800 · Answer

2 rhyme 
Ok. Thanks anyway.

GoBruin · Answer

For loans, generally you are not required to make payments until 6 months after graduation. So defer the payments over 2 years. You do accrue interest during that time. If money really is an issue, you are more likely to recieve scholarships at schools you're over qualified for. IE if you could get into Stanford and instead choose to go to university of phoenix. But you would also make back the loan and much more over your life time at stanford. (just a hypothetical)

For you, you should be looking to ask what schools offer non-cosigner international loans (I am assuming that you don't have any US citizens that would co-sign a loan for you). A lot of schools have it now, however I think columbia still does not have one.

Hope that helps.

For you, you should be looking to ask what schools offer non-cosigner international loans (I am assuming that you don't have any US citizens that would co-sign a loan for you). A lot of schools have it now, however I think columbia still does not have one.

Hope that helps.

WantGMAT800 · Answer

2 GoBruins 
Thanks for your reply. 
 
By saying that do you mean that I still don't make any payments however the interest adds up to the sum of a loan and when I graduate I will have to pay more then otherwise I would have to if I made payments during those two years?
 
That's may be true, and yet I was once told that the bigger and more prestigious the b-school or university is the more likely it is to get a full scholarship there, as they have more funds to support their students. What do you think?

And is it possible to be admitted into a b-school and then be excluded due to the absence of money (situation when there is no scholarship, no private money, no loans) ?

3underscore · Answer

Your first loan payments are due in the December the year after you graduate.

Wonder why I know that...

WantGMAT800 · Answer

2 3underscore So, how do you know that?

GoBruin · Answer

3underscore is an NYU alum, graduated this past year so either he had loans or knows someone who has loans.

As for the more presigious schools it is true, HBS has a huge endowment, but yet they don't offer that many scholarships compared to their size. Ross overs quiet a bit of scholarships even though it's public. But that said, if you were a decent candidate at HBS, you probably wouldn't qualify for their top scholarships since they typically have a very very strong class. However you may be a more than strong candidate for Cornell's park scholarship.

I think you just have to face it that this is an investment into your own future and although it would be nice to not have to pay for MBA, or pay less for MBA. You should expect other people to pay for your education.

rhyme · Answer

US Citizens only. I was "invited" to apply based on a "pre-selection" criteria, and then received a whoops email. Called them to inquire, explained how poorly it reflected on the program, told them how to fix it, they said they would. A week later I received another invitation followed by another whoops email.

WantGMAT800 · Answer

2 GoBruins 
 
Could you please rephrase two first words, or explain what they mean, as I can't get the meaning.
 
But isn't it true that a b-school representatives consider both qualification and financial state of the candidate? So, even less qualified candidates with less or no money may be granted a full scholarship?
 
Should I or should not ?

2 rhyme 
Could you please decipher for me what "whoops email" means, please ?

And what about my this question:
Is it possible to be admitted into a b-school and then be excluded due to the absence of money (situation when there is no scholarship, no private money, no loans)

2012dreams · Answer

your financial need is almost never going to result in a full scholarship. schools like HBS/S/Wharton etc are good with giving general grant money as part of your financial aid package, but it will never result in a full ride; you are still going to have to take out a loan. full ride scholarships (few and far between) are reserved for the very top candidates at any school. like was previously stated, if you're a good applicant at HBS and you get no merit scholarship, but yet you're an outstanding candidate at Darden, you may qualify for a full scholarship.

overall, most scholarships are still going to leave you with the responsibility of paying living costs, more than likely you will have to take out loans, your earning potential should overshadow the risk of taking loans, financial need (unless you have some sob story of being from a war torn country and having had your entire family killed by rebels) is not going to get you a full ride, you will still have loans in your package. this is why people reiterate the importance of attending a top MBA program, they are expensive, the better the school, the better opportunity you have to pay the loans back

WantGMAT800 · Answer

2 2012dreams 
Ok, thanks for your reply. A loan is not a problem for me at all, just I'm not sure I'll be eligible to be given it.
 
What is more interesting for me, is how an adcom from Darden is going to know that I'm a good applicant at HBS?
I mean, different adcoms have distinguished approaches for candidates assessment, so even those who could be good applicants at HBS with 750+ GMAT and relevant work experience might not be good as well in Darden due to different criteria of appraisal. Am I wrong ?

sapphireka · Answer

The criteria are basically the same. GMAT, pattern of leadership in extracurriculars, good GPA from good undergrad school.

It's like women - yes, people have types, but if you have a great set of legs, perky breasts and a pretty face, you're well ahead of the other chick with dark hair and glasses who's just so-so looking. Although there are non-traditional applicants. We say these applicants have "great personalities".

WantGMAT800 · Answer

2 sapphireka Thanks for your response. I see, so now targeted areas have just emerged

. And as far as I understand these "great personality" traits may be noticed during an interview, right? Or it can be observed as well through the written style of one's essay, or possibly throught some other things ? Yes, that's sad true. Nevertheless, so-so looking women can be happier and a lot more successful then those good-looking chicks, all one needs is faith and tenacity. Besides, make up and well suited dress make ( or makes ? ) real difference.

3underscore · Answer

I would know about loans because I have a reminder to make payments. Like most people do, I expect (bar those that built a pile of cash, which I might had I not wasted away in the wrong place for four years location wise).

The full scholarships seem to show a habit of involving some forecast future hardship. Pelihu's was for entrepreneurship, a lot of them are for Non-Profit or similar fields. Really, there are very few - even the good scholarships at schools normally will cover one year's fees, not two.

Expecting a full scholarship for pursuing life as an Investment Banker is quite unlikely.

WantGMAT800 · Answer

2 3underscore 
Thank you for your response.
Could you please give one more answer on this: suppose the tuition for 2 years is $80000. I got bursary of, say, $30000, combined of the b-school itself grant and of the endowment from other institutions that provide scholarships. In this way I'm left with $50000 plus some money for living expenditures. BTW, how much will it cost me providing quite moderate spending? So the question is will those banks be willing to give me such a significant loan considering that I'm non US citizen and have nobody in the state for co-signing? And what will they take as a collateral?
Thanks in advance.

scholarship covering full study fees

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