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. Please note that for most scholarships, if you already receive a scholarship package exceeding the amount of the scholarship, no additional funds will be awarded.

Scholarships for Incoming Admitted Students

Government Employee Scholarship

$25,000 to $50,000*

As part of our commitment to supporting public service and talent development, the UC Davis Graduate School of Management offers scholarships for government employees (local, state and federal). These scholarships can be used for either the Bay Area or Sacramento Part-Time MBA or Part-Time MM programs.

Ideal candidates are 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.

UC Davis MBA and MM: Employee Scholarship Program

$25,000 to $60,000*

Available to UC Davis, UCOP, and UC ANR employees. Applies to Bay Area Part-Time MBA, Bay Area Part-Time Master of Management, Sacramento Part-Time MBA or Sacramento Part-Time Master of Management programs. Additional application materials are required. Learn more.

*Varies by program

Immediate Family Member Scholarship

$20,000 to $60,000*

In recognition of the service given to the people of California, the Graduate School of Management is piloting a scholarship program available to UC Davis, UCOP, UCANR, UC Law, UCSF, LLNL or LBNL immediate family members (spouse, legal domestic partner, biological or adopted child, or stepchild).

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. Additional application materials are required. Learn more.

*Varies by program

UC Native American Opportunity Plan

Varies by Program

The University of California Native American Opportunity Plan covers in-state systemwide tuition and Student Services Fees for California students in state-supported programs who are enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian or Alaska Native tribes.

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.

Additional documentation is required.

Scholarship amounts by program

Full-Time MBA: $97,240
Bay Area Part-Time MBA: $28,880
Sacramento Part-Time MBA: $28,880
Full-Time Master of Management: $14,400
Bay Area Part-Time Master of Management: $14,400
Sacramento Part-Time Master of Management: $14,400 
MPAc: $14,400
MSBA: $14,520

SIEML Alumni Award

Varies by Program

Alumni of Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders (SIEML) who completed the program within the past seven years are eligible for a full scholarship to select GSM programs.

If admitted, tuition will be fully covered by the Graduate School of Management. The scholarship is applied throughout the duration of the program.

There is no separate application. Simply indicate your SIEML participation on your application. The admissions committee will verify eligibility, and award details will be included in your offer letter.

Note: If you already receive a scholarship package exceeding this amount, no additional funds will be awarded. 

Scholarship amounts by program

Full-Time MBA: 72 units fees covered*
Bay Area Part-Time MBA: 36 units fees covered*
Sacramento Part-Time MBA: 36 units fees covered*
Full-Time Master of Management: $51,840*
Bay Area Part-Time Master of Management: $51,840*
Sacramento Part-Time Master of Management: $51,840*
MPAc: 48 units fees*
MSBA: 44 units fees*

*Subject to change

Military Service Award

Up to $6,000

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. This award cannot be combined with other GSM or program-specific scholarship awards.

For more information, please visit the Military Applicants page.

UC & CSU Alumni Scholarship

The UC and CSU Alumni Scholarship is for applicants who have received their undergraduate from a University of California or California State University campus. The Admissions Committee considers candidates for these awards at the time of admission.  No separate scholarship application is required.

California Leadership Institute (CaLI) Program Alumni Applicants

$10,000

Admitted CaLI alumni are eligible for this award. Eligible students will receive $10,000 in scholarship funding. Additional documenation is required.

Donor-Funded Admissions Scholarships

You are considered for donor-funded scholarships during admission, but you may also receive these later in the cycle.

Avala Family Endowed Scholarship

Established by Chakri and Lakshmi Avala to provide student support for MBA students in the Graduate School of Management (est. 2023).

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).

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.) (est. 2013).

Joanne R. Bethlahmy Student Scholarship

Established by Joanne R. Bethlahmy, JD, MBA, to support an incoming MBA student, with preference given to full-time students interested in marketing, strategy or consulting. Additional preference is given to graduates of UC Davis, UC Berkeley or UC Hastings (est. 2017).

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).

Michael Fitzsimons Wine Industry Award

Established by the Michael-David Winery Foundation to provide student support for a full-time or part-time MBA student who is planning to pursue a career in the wine industry and is in good academic standing (3.0 grade point average) (est. 2013).

Paul and Susan Bianchi GSM Student Award

Established by Paul and Susan Bianchi to assist in recruiting outstanding students to the full-time and part-time MBA programs (est. 2021).

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).

Zaiss Ventures Fellowship

Established by Zaiss Ventures to provide support to outstanding students in the Graduate School of Management (est. 2015).

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.

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).

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.) (est. 2013).

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).

Rainy Day Fund

The Student Rainy Day Award Fund was initially established by the MBA and MPAc programs of the Graduate School of Management. The fund’s purpose is to support students facing hardship during their tenure at the GSM, which allows currently enrolled students, in good academic standing, to apply for an award from the school to help them through a financial crisis (est. 2017).

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).

External Scholarships

The UC Davis Graduate School of Management has compiled the following list of external scholarship opportunities as a service. Verify legitimacy before applying.

Third Party Scholarship Search Engines

Be advised: UC Davis does not guarantee the validity of these agencies. Beware of scams such as fees, guarantees, or requests for banking information.