Stanford Graduate Business School invites applications from suitably qualified Africans for the 2014/15 Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship. The Fellowship was created to reduce the financial barrier for African citizens to pursue an MBA at Stanford GSB. Up to eight fellowships will be awarded annually. This pilot program was launched in 2013, and is expected to run for three to five years.
Worth of Awards
- The Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship Program pays for tuition and associated fees (approximately US$140,000) for citizens of African countries with financial need who wish to obtain an MBA at Stanford GSB. At minimum, the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship covers two years of tuition at the Stanford MBA Program, plus all associated fees.
- Stanford GSB also contributes to room, board, and other living expenses if you have additional financial need demonstrated in your financial aid application. Please read the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship section on Financial Need above for more details.
Eligibility
Stanford Africa MBA Fellows will be selected based on the following criteria:
Admission to Stanford MBA Program:
- The initial qualification for the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship is earning admission to the Stanford MBA Program. They consider you for the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship only after you have been admitted to the Stanford MBA Program.
- To earn admission, you must display the same criteria as all Stanford MBA program applicants: intellectual vitality, demonstrated leadership potential, and personal qualities and contributions.
Commitment to Developing Africa:
- You must be a citizen of an African country. Dual citizens are eligible for the fellowship as long as one citizenship belongs to an African nation. Permanent residents of an African country are not eligible at this time.
- You must have completed, or be in the final year of completing, your university studies. If you studied at an undergraduate or graduate institution in Africa, they especially encourage you to consider applying for the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship Program. Citizens of countries in Africa who studied in countries outside of Africa remain eligible for consideration.
Stanford Africa MBA Fellows must return to work in Africa, within two years of Stanford MBA graduation, to work for a period of at least two years. Stanford MBA students pursue a wide variety of careers as alumni: you will be prepared to succeed in organizations of every size and description. As a Stanford Africa MBA Fellow, they expect you to contribute the management and leadership skills you learned at Stanford to developing the African economy. As such, their expectation is that Stanford Africa MBA Fellows will be committed to African organizations with significant operations and impact in the region.
Financial Need:
- To determine your financial need, you must complete Stanford’s financial aid process after you are admitted. All Stanford MBA students, regardless of citizenship, are eligible for financial assistance based on your demonstrated financial need. Stanford GSB provides need-based fellowship to MBA students without regard to citizenship. For international citizens, Stanford GSB offers a loan program that does not require a US co-signer.
- The financial aid application process requires information about your assets and income. You will need to provide copies of your tax returns and other documentation.
- If you are admitted to the Stanford MBA Program but are not selected as a Stanford Africa MBA Fellow, you remain eligible to receive financial aid based on the need you demonstrate in your financial aid application. Your award will typically include a combination of fellowships and loans.
- Please note that citizens of Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Lybia, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and Zimbabwe may need to discuss their loan options with the Financial Aid office.
How to Apply
- Apply to Stanford MBA Program in either Round 1 (2 October 2013) or Round 2 (8 January 2014).
- Receive an offer of admission in Round 1 (11 December 2013) or Round 2 (26 March 2014).
- Apply for need-based financial aid by the deadline date. After reviewing financial aid applications, Stanford GSB will notify you if you are selected as a Stanford Africa MBA Fellow.
- Confirm enrollment in Stanford GSB and accept the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship.
- Matriculate in, and successfully complete, the two-year Stanford MBA Program.
- Within two years of graduation from the Stanford MBA Program, return to Africa. Work in Africa—in business, government, or a non-profit organization—for at least two consecutive years.
Deadline: Apply to Stanford MBA Program in either Round 1 by 2 October 2013 or Round 2 by 8 January 2014.
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What type of candidate is Stanford looking for? Find out Admission Criteria here
