Merit Scholarships for International Students
First Year merit-based scholarships are offered through alumni gifts and corporate endowments.
Merit-based scholarships are offered early in the admissions process based strictly upon the information in your admissions application and your interview. It is recommended that for merit-based scholarship consideration that you apply for admission by the earliest deadline possible. Your admission essays will be used to assess fit for the scholarships listed.
Merit-based scholarship decisions are made by the First Year Scholarship Committee at the end of each admissions response cycle. Announcements of merit scholarships are mailed to recipients on the last day for admissions notifications, (i.e. Round 1, January 28, 2010).
Note to Round 1 Applicants:
Round 1 is ideal for applicants/reapplicants that have completed their research about MBA programs and have decided that Darden is their first choice. Round 1 allows applicants to secure their offer of admission to Darden by January 28, 2010. A distinct feature of the Round 1 program, moreover, is that applicants will automatically compete for over 70 two-year scholarships ranging from one-third to full tuition per year.
The following is a list of merit-based scholarships available to international students. No additional essays are necessary unless requested by the Darden Scholarship Committee.
Darden Jefferson Fellowships-up to 2-full cost-of-attendance fellowships including full-tuition, living expenses, books, and research stipend - Established by various alumni of the Darden School in partnership with the Jefferson Scholars Foundation to secure the most exceptional candidates who have applied for admission for the MBA at Darden. In identifying such candidates, judges will seek evidence of ethical leadership, diplomatic decisiveness, and a track record of putting ideas into action, together with a superb record of academic achievement. Candidates interested in being considered for this fellowship should possess superior intelligence and academic excellence, but must also demonstrate leadership, citizenship, integrity and honor. Fellowship candidates will be selected from those applicants who have applied and been offered admission to the Darden MBA program. To be considered for a Darden Jefferson Fellowship, candidates must complete their application to Darden by October 28, 2009. Click here for details.
Batten Scholarships-Up to 10 given out
Batten Entrepreneurial Scholarships-full-tuition-scholarship available to candidates who demonstrate experience in past entrepreneurial ventures, an entrepreneurial spirit, strong leadership skills, and a drive for innovation. Selected by faculty within the Batten Institute.
Batten Technology Scholarships-full tuition-scholarship designated for candidates who have demonstrated exemplary experience within the high-tech industries. These industries could include, but not limited to, hardware, software, medical devices, and communications. Candidates will indicate in their Admissions application a commitment to advancing technology in their future endeavors. Selected by faculty within the Batten Institute.
Batten Innovation Scholarships-full tuition-scholarship designated for candidates who have been recognized as instrumental in implementing innovations along the value chain of various businesses. Innovation could occur in, but not be limited to, segments of larger business, such as engineers in manufacturing or research scientists in medical devices. Candidates should also indicate a desire to take leadership responsibility within innovative fields of business. Selected by faculty within Batten Institute.
DAAD Scholarship-The DAAD scholarship offers 10,200EUR per academic year for up to two students selected by DAAD and offered admission to the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration. Applications must be made separately to the DAAD Scholarship Program and Darden Admissions.
James Su-Ting and Jeanette Wang CHENG Scholarship - half tuition - This scholarship shall be used to attract the best and brightest students from East Asia to Darden by providing a two-year scholarship to first year MBA students who have accepted admission to Darden. The scholarship will be renewed in one’s second year as long as the student is in good academic standing (min. 3.0000 GPA). First preference shall be for students from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau, or Singapore. If these preferences cannot be met, then the scholarship may be awarded to a student from other East Asian countries.
Darden China Scholarship-This $4,500 scholarship is made possible through the gifts of Darden's Chinese alumni and Adjunct Professor, Larry Franklin. It is awarded to a top native Chinese candidate who is selected through the Darden China Scholarship Committee and the Darden First Year Scholarship Committee.
Darden India Fund--a student transition grant is offered by Darden Indian Alumni as well as other supporters to a single Indian National holding a current Indian passport and living in India at the time of application and accepted to the School.
Darden-Israeli Student Transition Grant--Funded by Darden's Israeli alumni as well as other supporters, this unrestricted gift of approximately $3,000 is selectively awarded to a first year MBA student who meets the criteria of the award. These criteria include one or more of the following:
1. Israeli citizenship, preferably currently living in Israel;
2. Prior education at an Israeli university;
3. Service in the Israeli military; and
4. Strong work experience, community service and other extracurricular activities, preferably in Israel or with an Israeli company/organization.
Students from Israel or of Israel background (i.e. meeting one or more of the above criteria) are automatically considered for this award by the Darden's Financial Aid Office. For more information on this grant please visit the Darden Israeli chapter website at www.dardenisrael.com.
Franklin Family Fellowship—This endowed scholarship was established in 2002 in honor of Dr. Carl Mason Franklin, University of Virginia Law 1948; Dr. Sterling C. Franklin, born in Charlottesville, Virginia; Dr. Laurence C. Franklin, who has been honored to teach at Darden as visiting faculty, and his wife, Wei-ching Kwong Franklin, who have lived and prospered in Hong Kong for more than twenty years. The Fellowship shall be for top first-year MBA students from the Asia Pacific Region as a demonstration of Darden’s commitment to international business studies.
IRC International Scholarship-This merit-based, scholarship provides full tuition for an International student. It is available to student entering in even-numbered years.
Marion M. and Samuel T. Pendleton Fellowship-This fellowship of full tuition is awarded to worthy admitted candidates, who are citizens of Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom including England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The fellowship recipient will demonstrate high leadership and academic qualities and show a seriousness of purpose to serve his/her home country in the public or private sector. In the event that a qualified candidate worthy of receiving a full fellowship is not available from the limited geographic regions listed above, the Darden School First Year Scholarship Committee may broaden the pool of admitted candidates to be considered to include citizens of any country who were or are considered a part of the British Commonwealth.