Early Career MBA: Scholarships

Atkinson School Merit-Based Scholarship Program
All applicants admitted to the Early Career MBA program are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit as measured by GMAT or GRE scores, undergraduate cumulative grade point average and experience (the TOEFL score is also considered for international applicants). Applicants interested in maximum consideration for scholarship assistance are urged to complete the application process as soon as possible.

Scholarships range from $3,000 to full-tuition. Students are notified of their scholarship award in their letter of admission. Approximately 50 percent of Early Career MBA students receive scholarship assistance.

All scholarships require full-time enrollment in the Atkinson School. Fifty percent of the scholarship award for the academic year is dispersed for fall semester (August) and 50% is dispersed for spring semester (January). Scholarship awards are not available for summer semester.

Scholarships awarded to first-year Early Career MBA students are renewable for the second year if the student maintains a 3.3 cumulative grade point average, full-time enrollment in the Atkinson School, and good status within the academic policies and codes of conduct of the Atkinson School and Willamette University.

Additional scholarship opportunities for second year students include a selection of competitive scholarships that recognize characteristics such as entrepreneurship, academic achievement, leadership, service, and initiative. Early Career MBA students apply for these scholarships during the spring semester of the first year of study.

Students who pursue the MBA/JD joint program should know that the College of Law and the MBA program award scholarships separately. A scholarship given by one program does not apply while a student is studying at the other program. MBA/JD students who receive scholarship assistance from the MBA program will receive the scholarship only for the first academic year in which they are enrolled full-time in the MBA program.

Endowed and Other Scholarship Programs
Early Career MBA students also benefit from the school's endowed and annual scholarship programs. Consideration for endowed and annual scholarships is generally automatic as part of the admission evaluation process and does not require a separate application form unless noted.

• Allis/Gray Scholarship: awarded to one or more new
  full-time students who demonstrate excellence in academic performance, leadership and business potential.
• Daphine Broadhead Walker Scholarship: awarded to a
  2nd-year female student with great management and leadership potential.
• Fred M. and Karen S. Butler Scholarship: awarded to selected students who rank in the top l0% of the applicant pool and have a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college/university.
• Gardner Knapp Scholarship: awarded to a 2nd-year
  full-time student who exemplifies the characteristics of an entrepreneur. Application required.
• Gordenier Family Scholarship: awarded to a student who graduated from high school in Jackson, Josephine, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Klamath, or Lakeview counties in Oregon
• Governor Robert W. Straub Public Service Scholarship: awarded to a returning full-time or part-time student who exemplifies dedication to public service. Application required.
• MBA Achievement Scholarship: for 2nd year full-time MBA students who excelled in academics, leadership and service to the school during their first year of MBA study. This scholarship is reserved for students who did not receive scholarship assistance for their first year of study. Application required.
• Melvin Henderson-Rubio Scholarship: awarded to a minority student from the greater Los Angeles area.
• O'Neill Pine Company Scholarship:for a 2nd year student who is outstanding in finance and committed to the activities of the O'Neill Student Investment Fund. Application required.
• Stanley Hammer Scholarship:awarded to a full-time student who has excellent academic and managerial potential.
• Stephen H. Archer Scholarship: awarded to a full-time student who has an excellent background in economics.
• Tom and Mary Garner Esary Scholarship: awarded to a full-time or part-time student who has a combination of merit and financial need.
• Peace Corps Returnee Scholarship: awarded to a 1st year
  full-time student who has returned from the Peace Corps. Application required.

Scholarship Databases on the Internet
The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid provides access several free scholarship search databases including FastWEB - the Internet's largest scholarship search database.

Essential information for international students is available at Education USA, EduPass and International Education Financial Aid.

Students from Oregon may be interested in the website of the Oregon Student Assistance Commission.