You need to apply separately for INSEAD MBA Scholarships

Back in 2015, when I applied to the INSEAD 17J batch, I completed my application process around October-November.

However, even before I attended my interviews in December, I had to submit applications for scholarships as the deadline was in November.

Things haven’t changed yet as I can see on the website that the candidates are asked to submit their applications during the interview stage.

That is my tip number 01, “Don’t Be Late!”

How to find the INSEAD MBA scholarships

For finding scholarships facilitated by INSEAD, go to this link.

In addition to these scholarships, you should also search for country-specific scholarships. For example, Australian candidates can have access to Baudin Grants or The General Sir John Monash Award. You can find more information on country-specific scholarships here.

There are some additional global scholarships like the MBA for Women Foundation that awards young and ambitious women wanting to pursue an MBA. Find more information here.

If you get an external scholarship, INSEAD may not award you one of its own on top of that.

Types of INSEAD MBA Scholarships

There are a few types of scholarships available:

Merit-based scholarships

• For some of the merit-based scholarships, INSEAD automatically considers all candidates from Rounds 1 & 2. They share the decisions on these by February for July class and July fo December class.
• You should check for which scholarships you need to apply.
• Some of the merit based scholarships include: INSEAD L’Oreal Scholarship, INSEAD Syngenta Endowed Scholarship(s) fo Emerging Country Leadership.
• Only a handful of merit-based scholarships are available for Round 3. Round 4 candidates can’t apply for scholarships although some funds are kept for them. Apply early if you want more scholarship options.
• You are encourage to apply for a maximum of five scholarships
• To apply, create a profile by using the same name as your admission application. You will then have to log in to the scholarship website using the password and ID sent to you. Fill the profile with all required information.
• You can track your application status from the same platform.

Need-based scholarships

• Need based scholarships first look at emerging and developing markets.
• Those with financial needs will be given priority
• To show your financial need, you will need to share a few additional documents including proof of salary, bank statements for the last 3 months showing your checking and savings balance, and documents proving any circumstances that affected your finances in the last year.

Some scholarships don’t need any applications and you’ll be automatically considered.

What I did during my INSEAD MBA Scholarship application

I applied for a few need-based scholarships including the IAF Robin Hood Scholarship. The Robin Hood Scholarship is a unique event where existing students come together to raise funds for someone from the future batches.

I received 17,000 euros as a scholarship and my tuition fee went down to 54,000 from 71,000.

As the recipient of this award, I gave a speech at an alumni reunion to discuss how contributions help students. Additionally, INSED asked me to lead the fundraising activity for the Robin Hood campaign for our batch.