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The doctoral program in Economics at Harvard University is one of the leading programs in the world. Supported by a diverse group of faculty who are top researchers in their fields and fueled by a vast array of resources, the PhD program is structured to train and nurture students to become leading economists in academia, government agencies, the technology industry, finance and banking, and global policy organizations.

Harvard University and the Department of Economics are regularly ranked amongst the top programs in the world, and the consistency of success among our graduates is inspiring. We have educated several foreign heads of state, Nobel Prize Winners, Clark Medal Winners, MacArthur Fellowship Recipients - many of whom have returned to Harvard to offer their expertise and brilliance in shaping and nurturing our students.  Learn more about where we place our  graduates  and explore our  Program  to find out if a PhD in Economics is a good fit for you. 

Program Requirements

As a PhD student in the Economics program, students will spend the first two years in the program engaged in rigorous coursework designed to develop a foundational understanding of economics. In the following years, students transition to research under the guidance of strong faculty mentorship and participate in field workshops. In the final year, students conduct independent research and complete a dissertation.

The department of Economics at Harvard University is committed to seeking out and mentoring scholars who wish to pursue a rigorous and rewarding career in economic research. Our graduates are trailblazers in their fields and contribute to a diverse alumni community in both the academic and non-academic sectors. We invite you to learn more and apply to the PhD program in Economics. 

Financial Support

Students have access to a variety of funding and financial support opportunities.

• Research Funding
• Teaching Fellowships and assistants
• Additional external and internal resources

Learn more about financial support

Upcoming Events

Econ 3012 graduate student workshop in labor economics and public economics, location: .

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PhD Programs

• Accounting & Management
• Business Economics
• Health Policy (Management)
• Organizational Behavior
• Technology & Operations Management

Students in our PhD programs are encouraged from day one to think of this experience as their first job in business academia—a training ground for a challenging and rewarding career generating rigorous, relevant research that influences practice.

Our doctoral students work with faculty and access resources throughout HBS and Harvard University. The PhD program curriculum requires coursework at HBS and other Harvard discipline departments, and with HBS and Harvard faculty on advisory committees. Faculty throughout Harvard guide the programs through their participation on advisory committees.

How do I know which program is right for me?

There are many paths, but we are one HBS. Our PhD students draw on diverse personal and professional backgrounds to pursue an ever-expanding range of research topics. Explore more here about each program’s requirements & curriculum, read student profiles for each discipline as well as student research , and placement information.

The PhD in Business Administration grounds students in the disciplinary theories and research methods that form the foundation of an academic career. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program has five areas of study: Accounting and Management , Management , Marketing , Strategy , and Technology and Operations Management . All areas of study involve roughly two years of coursework culminating in a field exam. The remaining years of the program are spent conducting independent research, working on co-authored publications, and writing the dissertation. Students join these programs from a wide range of backgrounds, from consulting to engineering. Many applicants possess liberal arts degrees, as there is not a requirement to possess a business degree before joining the program

The PhD in Business Economics provides students the opportunity to study in both Harvard’s world-class Economics Department and Harvard Business School. Throughout the program, coursework includes exploration of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, probability and statistics, and econometrics. While some students join the Business Economics program directly from undergraduate or masters programs, others have worked in economic consulting firms or as research assistants at universities or intergovernmental organizations.

The PhD program in Health Policy (Management) is rooted in data-driven research on the managerial, operational, and strategic issues facing a wide range of organizations. Coursework includes the study of microeconomic theory, management, research methods, and statistics. The backgrounds of students in this program are quite varied, with some coming from public health or the healthcare industry, while others arrive at the program with a background in disciplinary research

The PhD program in Organizational Behavior offers two tracks: either a micro or macro approach. In the micro track, students focus on the study of interpersonal relationships within organizations and the effects that groups have on individuals. Students in the macro track use sociological methods to examine organizations, groups, and markets as a whole, including topics such as the influence of individuals on organizational change, or the relationship between social missions and financial objectives. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program includes core disciplinary training in sociology or psychology, as well as additional coursework in organizational behavior.

Accounting & Management  

Business economics  , health policy (management)  , management  , marketing  , organizational behavior  , strategy  , technology & operations management  .

Doctoral Degree Programs

Additional information.

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Join a world-class community of scholars and education leaders exploring new frontiers in learning and teaching.

Doctoral study at Harvard means full immersion in one of the world's most dynamic and influential intellectual communities. At the Harvard Graduate School of Education, two distinct doctoral programs leverage the extraordinary interdisciplinary strengths of the entire University. The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) prepares experienced educators for system-level leadership roles in school districts, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and beyond; and the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.)  empowers cutting-edge interdisciplinary research informed by the cognitive sciences, economics, medicine, the humanities, and more.

Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.)

The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D) is a three-year, practice-based program designed to produce system-level leaders in American pre-K-12 education. The Ed.L.D. curriculum mines the vast intellectual and professional resources of HGSE, the Harvard Business School , and the Harvard Kennedy School , and includes a 10-month residency in the third year.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.)

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.) , offered jointly with the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences , provides unrestricted access to faculty and resources at all Harvard graduate and professional schools. This five-year Ph.D. is ideal for conducting groundbreaking interdisciplinary research that directly informs and impacts education practice and policy.

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Finance Degree Requirements

The Master of Liberal Arts, Finance degree field is offered online with 1 degree requirement on-campus at Harvard University. Weekend options are available for the on-campus requirement.

Getting Started

Explore Degree Requirements

• Review the course curriculum .
• Learn about the on-campus experience .
• Determine your initial admissions eligibility .
• Learn about the 3 degree courses required for admission .

Upcoming Term: Fall 2024

Course registration opens July 22 at 9 a.m. Eastern time.

Learn how to register →

Required Course Curriculum

Online core and elective courses

On-campus applied active learning elective

12 Graduate Courses (48 credits)

The degree is customizable. After completing critical foundation courses, such as investment theory, corporate finance, and business evaluation, you choose the finance electives that meet your learning goals.

With online courses offered in both synchronous and asynchronous formats , you can participate in some courses on demand and others live for real-time engagement with faculty and peers.

Required Core & Elective Courses View More

• 1 economics course (microeconomics or managerial economics only)
• 1 finance course (principles or managerial finance only)
• 1 statistics course
• 1 accounting course (financial or managerial accounting only)
• 1 financial statement analysis course
• 1 investment theory course
• 1 corporate finance course
• 1 business valuation course
• 1 applied active learning elective (see on-campus experience )
• EXPO 34 Business Rhetoric is an elective option.

Browse Courses →

Optional Graduate Certificate View More

You can choose to concentrate your degree studies in a specific topic within finance to earn a certificate along the way.

Graduate Certificates:

• Business Economics
• Corporate Finance
• Data Analytics
• Principles of Finance
• Real Estate Investment

On-Campus Experience

Choose between the accelerated or standard on-campus experience.

Learn and network in-person with your classmates.

Nearly all courses can be taken online, but the degree requires a Harvard University on-campus experience, where you enroll in your applied active learning elective.

Possible topics include emerging markets, hedge funds, and real estate investments. Below are your format choices for the on-campus experience.

Choose between two format choices for your applied active learning elective (4-credits):

• Accelerated on-campus option: Complete two, 2-credit active learning weekends (ALW) in the fall or spring. ALWs are graded SAT/UNSAT to encourage creativity and risk taking. If interested, you may register for additional ALWs for your own professional development; however, a maximum of two ALWs (4-credits) count toward the degree.
• Standard on-campus option: Complete one 3-week Harvard Summer School (HSS) course. Multiple 3-week courses count toward the degree; there is no limit. The first three-week course you take will satisfy the applied active learning elective requirement. After that, additional 3-week on-campus courses will fulfill other degree requirements. The standard option is ideal for those who want a more traditional on-campus experience. For an additional fee, HSS offers housing, meal plans, and a prolonged on-campus experience here at Harvard University. Learn more about campus life at Harvard .

International Students Who Need a Student Visa View More

To meet the on-campus requirement, you choose the Standard on-campus option and study with us in the summer. You can easily request an I-20 for the F-1 student visa for a Harvard Summer School 3-week session. For more information, see International Student Study Options page.

In-Person Co-Curricular Events View More

Come to Cambridge for Convocation (fall) to celebrate your hard-earned admission, Harvard career fairs offered throughout the year, HES alumni networking events (here at Harvard and around the world), and, of course, Harvard University Commencement (May).

Confirm your initial eligibility with a 4-year bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent.

Take three courses in our unique “earn your way in” admissions process that count toward your degree.

In the semester of your third course, submit the official application for admission to the program.

Below are our initial eligibility requirements and an overview of our unique admissions process to help get you started. Be sure to visit Degree Program Admissions for full details.

Initial Eligibility View More

• Prior to enrolling in any degree-applicable courses, you must possess a 4-year regionally accredited US bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. Foreign bachelor’s degrees must be evaluated for equivalency.
• If English is your second language, you’ll need to prove English proficiency before registering for a course. We have multiple proficiency options .

Earning Your Way In — Courses Required for Admission View More

To begin the admission process, you simply register — no application required — for the following three, four-credit, graduate-level degree courses (available online).

These prerequisite courses count toward your degree once you’re admitted ; they are not additional courses. They are investments in your studies and help ensure success in the program.

• Before registering, you’ll need to pass our online test of critical reading and writing skills or complete EXPO 34 Business Rhetoric with a grade of B or higher.
• 1 finance course (principles or managerial finance)

The three courses don’t need to be taken in a particular order or in the same semester, but each course must be completed with a grade of B or higher, without letting your overall Harvard cumulative GPA dip below 3.0.

Applying to the Degree Program View More

During the semester of your third degree course, submit the official application to the program.

Don’t delay! You must prioritize the three degree courses for admission and apply before completing subsequent courses. By doing so, you’ll:

• Avoid the loss of credit due to expired course work or changes to admission and degree requirements.
• Ensure your enrollment in critical and timely degree-candidate-only courses.
• Avoid the delayed application fee.
• Gain access to exclusive benefits.

Eligible students who submit a complete and timely application will have nine more courses after admission to earn the degree. Applicants can register for courses in the upcoming semester before they receive their grades and while they await their admission decision.

Alternative Admission Pathways View More

We offer two alternative pathways to admission:

MITx MicroMasters® Credential Admissions Pathway

If you have earned the MicroMasters® Program credential in Statistics and Data Science, you may apply the credential toward admission and complete one additional course at the Harvard Extension School. Learn more about the MicroMasters Pathway .

HBS Online CORe Admissions Pathway

Through the Credential of Readiness (CORe) pathway, you may prepare for admission to the Finance Degree Program by earning the CORe credential from Harvard Business School Online and then completing one degree course at Harvard Extension School. Learn more about the CORe Admissions Pathway .

The Office of Predegree Advising & Admissions makes all final determinations about program eligibility.

Search and Register for Courses

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) offers degree courses all year round to accelerate degree completion.

• You can study in fall, January, and spring terms through Harvard Extension School (HES) and during the summer through Harvard Summer School (HSS).
• You can enroll full or part time. After qualifying for admission, many of our degree candidates study part time, taking 2 courses per semester (fall/spring) and 1 in the January and summer sessions.
• Most fall and spring courses meet once a week for two hours, while January and summer courses meet more frequently in a condensed format.

To Complete Your Degree

Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Complete your courses in five years.

Earn your Harvard degree and enjoy Harvard Alumni Association benefits upon graduation.

Required GPA, Withdrawal Grades, and Repeat Courses View More

GPA. You need to earn a B or higher in each of the three degree courses required for admission and a B– or higher in each of the subsequent courses. In addition, your cumulative GPA cannot dip below 3.0.

Withdrawal Grades. You are allowed to receive two withdrawal (WD) grades without them affecting your GPA. Any additional WD grades count as zero in your cumulative GPA. Please note that a WD grade from a 2-credit course will count as one of your two allowed WD grades. See Academic Standing .

Repeat Courses. We advise you to review the ALM program’s strict policies about repeating courses . Generally speaking, you may not repeat a course to improve your GPA or to fulfill a degree requirement (if the minimum grade was not initially achieved). Nor can you repeat a course for graduate credit that you’ve previously completed at Harvard Extension School or Harvard Summer School at the undergraduate level.

HBS Online CORe and Degree Requirements View More

CORe does not count for credit toward the degree (even the credit version) and does not replace the principles of finance or statistics degree requirements, which you’ll need to complete once admitted with a grade of B or higher.

For the accounting requirement, you’ll need to register for the non-CORe version of the Financial Accounting Principles course or choose Managerial Accounting.

Courses Expire: Finish Your Coursework in Under Five Years View More

Courses over five years old at the point of admission will not count toward the degree.

Further, you have five years to complete your degree requirements. The five-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any three degree-applicable courses, regardless of whether or not you have been admitted to a degree program.

If you are admitted using CORe, you have six years to complete your degree requirements. The six-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any one degree-applicable course, whether or not you have been admitted to the degree program.

Potential degree candidates must plan accordingly and submit their applications to comply with the five-year course expiration policy or they risk losing degree credit for completed course work. Additionally, admission eligibility will be jeopardized if, at the point of application to the program, the five-year degree completion policy cannot be satisfied (i.e., too many courses to complete in the time remaining).

Graduate with Your Harvard Degree View More

When you have fulfilled all degree requirements, you will earn your Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Finance. Degrees are awarded in November, February, and May, with the annual Harvard Commencement ceremony in May.

Degree Candidate Exclusive Benefits View More

When you become an officially admitted degree candidate, you have access to a rich variety of exclusive benefits to support your academic journey. To learn more, visit degree candidate academic opportunities and privileges .

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

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Study In Usa > Colleges In Usa > HBS > Admission

Harvard Business School Admissions 2024-25: Deadlines, Entry Requirements, Decision Dates, Selection Criteria and FAQs

Kirti Chauhan

Content Writer

• Application Deadlines: MBA applications are accepted in two rounds. The PhD application deadline has already passed.
• Application Fees: 250 USD (20,500 INR) for MBA; 105 USD (8,600 INR) for PhD.
• Acceptance Rates: For MBA: 14% (1,140 accepted out of 8,149 applications).PhD: 4% (35 accepted out of 886 applications).

Harvard Business School offers admissions to master's degrees, executive programs as well PhD level courses. Harvard Business School admissions are highly competitive, with only 14% of applicants being admitted in MBA programs and 4% in PhD programs. A total of 8,149 applications were received by the MBA program at Harvard Business School , out of which 1,140 applicants were accepted.

Applications for admission to Harvard Business School are submitted through the university's application portal. Applicants must have a competitive GPA, GMAT/GRE scores, and excellent supplementary documents to be eligible for Harvard Business School admissions. The current Harvard Business School class has an average GPA of 3.73 (92%). This is what you need to do to get selected:

• Candidates must submit GMAT results between 540 and 790 to gain admission to the HBS MBA program.
• To be considered for admission to HBS PhD programs, applicants must present GMAT/GRE scores in the 80th percentile.

Harvard Business School Application Deadline 2024-25

The application MBA program at Harvard Business School is accepted in two rounds throughout the year. The deadline to submit PhD applications for 2024-25 has passed.

2024 Application deadline for 2+2 deferred admission applicants

Who are 2+2 deferred admission applicants? The 2+2 program consists of two years of regular HBS MBA study followed by a minimum of two years of practical job experience.

These are the following deadlines for 2+2 deferred admission applicants:

Harvard Business School Admissions Requirements: MBA

Harvard Business School MBA is available in a two-year full-time MBA mode. The curriculum of Harvard MBA involves general management and mainly focuses on practical experience. The learning environment of the MBA program is dynamic where students will be taught with the help of method courses, various field projects and much more.

Application Portal : Harvard Business School Application Application Fees : 250 USD (20,500 INR)

Admissions Requirements :

• Bachelor’s degree (approved and accredited institution)
• GPA required: 3.7 (92%)
• TOEFL IBT - 109
• IELTS - 7.5
• GMAT - Verbal Range 25-51 | Quantitative Range 31-51 | Total Range 500-790
• GRE - 147-170 [Verbal Range] | 150-170 [Quantitative Range]
• Two Essays (400 words)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Work experience of 5 years

Application Deadlines 2024-25

Note : MBA Class of 2026 application is now closed. The MBA Class of 2027 application will open in Summer 2024.

MBA Class Profile 2025

The Harvard Business School does not favour one exam over another, and there is no minimum GMAT or GRE score required to apply. 34% and 69%, respectively, of the Class of 2025 submitted their GMAT and GRE results; some students submitted results from both exams.

Undergraduate Majors at Harvard Business School

The undergraduate majors of students at Harvard Business School are distributed as follows:

Harvard Business School Admissions Requirements: PhD

Harvard Business School PhD is offered in Accounting & Management, Business Economics, Health Policy (Management), Marketing, Management, Organizational Behavior, Strategy, Technology & Operations Management. The application process is given below:

Application Portal : PhD Application Application Fees : 105 USD (8,600 INR)

Admission Requirements :

• Undergraduate degree
• TOEFL preferred minimum score - 100
• Statement of Purpose
• Three letters of recommendation (1 academic recommendation)
• Optional writing sample (10 pages)
• Proof of financial support
• Copy of Passport

Harvard Business School Admissions Decision

The Harvard Business School offers decisions for its MBA program in the following timelines:

Harvard Business School Acceptance Rate

Harvard's acceptance rate is only 14% for MBA and 4% for PhD as the admissions are highly competitive. The HBS application process demands that candidates be futuristic. HBS appreciates leadership potential. It is possible to demonstrate leadership in a variety of contexts, including college extracurricular activities, professional success, personal success, and civic engagement.

The climate at Harvard Business School is challenging, quick-paced, and verbose. HBS searches for those who like spirited debate and conversation. The GMAT or GRE scores, the TOEFL iBT and/or IELTS scores, and the kind of job experience will all be taken into consideration by the MBA Admissions Board. You need not have taken a specific previous course of study to apply, but you must show that you can understand analytical and quantitative principles.

Harvard Business School Acceptance Rate for the applications received in 2023:

Being the business school of prestigious Harvard University , getting admissions to HBS is extremely competitive. The school not only looks for high GPAs or test scores but also considers various factors like leadership skills, community involvement, personal achievements and work experiences. The candidate must possess high aptitude and analytical skills and can actively participate in debates and discussions.

Ques. What GPA do you need for Harvard Business School?

Ans . According to the MBA Class Profile 2025 , the GPA of the current class at HBS is 3.7 (92%). Students require a competitive GPA, GMAT/GRE scores, and excellent supplementary documents to get accepted into HBS. The GPA requirements at Harvard Business School are as follows:

Ques. How can I get admission to Harvard Business School?

Ans . Harvard Business School accepts its applications through its application portal. The applicants must apply with an application fee of 250 USD (20,500 INR) for the MBA program and 105 USD (8,600 INR) for the PhD program. You could be invited for an interview after your written application has been submitted and assessed.

Ques. Is it hard to get admitted into Harvard Business School?

Ans . For the current admissions session, the MBA program of the reputed Harvard Business School received over 8,149 applications, out of which only 1,140 applicants were accepted in the business school. This implies that HBS has a low acceptance rate of 14%.

Ques. How much does a Harvard MBA cost?

Ans . The two-year MBA at Harvard currently has an annual tuition fee of 74,910 USD (61.46 lakhs INR). Over 50% of students get need-based financial aid from the HBS, with grants averaging 42,000 USD (34.46 lakhs INR) in 2023–2024.

Ques. What is the English proficiency requirement for Harvard Business School?

Ans . To gain admission to the Harvard Business School MBA program, students need to meet the following minimum English proficiency requirements:

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More From Forbes

Harvard business school announces 3 new application essays.

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Harvard Business School.

Harvard Business School announced a surprising departure from its single, open-ended application essay to three short essays with specific prompts. The HBS website sums up the kind of applicant the school is seeking: “We are looking for future leaders who are passionate about business, leadership, and growth.”

The prompts for the class that will begin in fall 2025 instruct applicants to address each topic in turn.

• Business-Minded Essay : Please reflect on how your experiences have influenced your career choices and aspirations and the impact you will have on the businesses, organizations, and communities you plan to serve. (up to 300 words)
• Leadership-Focused Essay : What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words)
• Growth-Oriented Essay : Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (up to 250 words)

The prompts ask applicants to go beyond simply asserting their allegiance to the ideals of business, leadership and growth. Each of the three questions asks for evidence: “experiences,” “experiences” and “an example,” respectively.

The prompts do not expect a straightforward list of what happened in the past. Rather, they encourage reflection on how these experiences affected present realities and future goals.

Applicants are asked to reflect on past, present and future as an ongoing process of becoming who they are now and who they wish to become. Even the “Business-Minded Essay” is about past choices and future impact; it also assumes you “plan to serve.” The “Leadership-Focused Essay” does not ask applicants to recite a list of titles, but to discuss who they are and how they relate to others; not what title they aspire to, but “what kind of leader you wish to become.”

Perhaps the most surprising essay prompt is No. 3, which asks about curiosity. It opens the door for applicants to discuss a more personal aspect of their candidacies. The prompt asks not about end result, but about the process of change. Once again, the emphasis is on “growth.”

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In short, the prompts ask about person and process.

How The 3 New Prompts Differ From Last Year’s Single Question

This year’s prompts give applicants more direction than the previous open-ended instruction, which was: “As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?”

Applicants may find it easier to follow these more detailed instructions and to stay on topic. They no longer need to face an open question and a blank page.

Another aid is the shorter word limit. The essay on being business-minded has a limit of 300 words, and the essays on leadership and growth through curiosity are limited to 250 words each.

A third difference is the specific inquiry about business. Last year’s prompt allowed candidates to choose anything they thought would be important for HBS to consider. Some applicants struggled to decide whether to focus on business or something beyond work. While the “Business-Minded Essay” is still personal, it does ask applicants to reflect on their careers.

One might also speculate that the new, more directive prompts makes it easier for the admissions committee to compare essays across applications, while still leaving room for considerable variation in how applicants choose to address the essay prompts.

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Business Administration

Harvard Business School offers a two-year, full-time MBA program with a general management curriculum focused on real-world practice. Becoming a student at HBS means joining a global community that propels lifelong learning and career support alongside peers, faculty, and staff who will both challenge you and cheer you on as you find and accelerate your path. Learn about joint degree programs.

Jointly administered by HBS and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Ph.D. in business administration grounds students in disciplinary theories and methods and trains them to apply these theories and methods in academic research on important business problems. The program has four areas of study: accounting and management, marketing, strategy, and technology and operations management. The program prepares students for a career in academia at top business schools and research institutions around the world.

Paying for grad school: A guide to funding your business degree

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Carlson School Graduate Programs

Thinking of pursuing an MBA or business master’s degree but daunted by the price tag? We are here to shed light on funding options. Getting clear on financing and developing a plan based on your needs and goals can help you control costs.

Funding Options and Strategies

When it comes to paying for your degree, first start by looking for money you don’t have to repay, and then, secondly, borrow responsibly if you have to.

1. Look for money you don't have to repay.

Money you don’t have to repay can be sorted into three categories: 

Personal savings

Employer support.

• Scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships

You may need to use savings to help pay for your education. Assess your current finances and determine how much of your savings you can and/or want to use for grad school. If you need guidance on how much savings to dip into or to create a savings plan, consider working with a financial advisor.

Look into your company’s employer assistance programs if you’re currently employed. Your employer may cover some or all of your program’s costs in a tuition reimbursement or remission program. If your employer doesn’t currently offer any programs, you can still ask your employer for support .

At the Carlson School, we offer a tuition discount and expedited admissions to select programs and courses for employees of our partner companies. Learn more about the Carlson School’s Corporate Discount Program .

Scholarships, fellowships, assistantships

Many business schools offer scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships you can apply to during your application process or once you’ve been admitted.

• Scholarships

Scholarships are financial aid awards for achievement that can cover part or all of your program’s tuition, fees, books and supplies, and/or living expenses. Scholarships:

• Don’t need to be repaid
• Are usually not taxable
• Can be merit-based, need-based, or have some other criteria
• Usually applied to your tuition directly

Check with the program you’re applying to for details and eligibility requirements.

At the Carlson School, graduate scholarships are merit-based and included in the admissions review process. This means you do not need to apply separately or meet additional criteria to be considered for a scholarship. However, our scholarships are first come, first serve. So apply to your program of interest as soon as possible for the chance to receive the best scholarship package possible.

Some community organizations and business associations also offer scholarships, such as the Forte Foundation , the National Black MBA Association , and Prospanica . Make sure to connect with your network to learn about potential financial support and scholarship opportunities outside of the school you’re considering.

Fellowships

Interchangeably used with scholarships, fellowships are financial awards that can support your studies, research, or some other opportunity. Fellowships:

• May be taxable
• May require a service commitment
• May be paid out as a stipend

At the Carlson School, we offer fellowships to Full-Time and Management Science MBA students to attend various affinity conferences. Fellowships are only awarded to admitted MBA students and there is a separate awarding process.

Assistantships

Some business schools offer assistantships, which means you’ll be working for the program and earning a salary or hourly wage. Speak to your school of interest about these opportunities.

At the Carlson School, graduate assistantships are offered at the program level and you must apply to be considered. If the program you’re interested in offers assistantships, details on applying for these roles will be provided as opportunities become available.

Veteran Education Benefits

If you are a U.S. Military veteran, you can apply for education benefits through Veterans Affairs . You may be eligible for GI Bill benefits and other assistance, like in-state tuition if you’re applying to programs at public institutions like the Carlson School.

Learn more about veteran education benefits at the University of Minnesota.

2. Borrow Responsibly

Loans can help you cover gaps in tuition, fees, and living expenses once you’ve considered and pursued all options for money you don’t have to repay. There are two options for borrowing money: 

Federal loans and grants

Private loans.

You may qualify for federal loans and grants if you are a U.S. citizen. You must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . There are several types of aid the U.S. government offers:

Submitting a FAFSA for a graduate degree usually means seeing if you qualify for a loan. Federal loans often have different interest rates and repayment terms than private loans. Additionally, if you decide to work in a nonprofit or for federal service after you graduate, there is an option for loan forgiveness if you received your loan through FAFSA.

If you’ve exhausted all other options for funding your degree or do not qualify for the FAFSA, consider a private lender.

Personal loans are usually available through your bank or credit union and are based on your credit. The better your credit, the better your chance of getting a loan. You can get a fixed or variable interest rate. Talk to your lender for terms and repayment options.

If you’re an international student and do not qualify for the FAFSA or do not have a U.S. bank account, there are select vendors that will work with you. For example, Carlson School students in the past have seen success in qualifying for loans from Empower and Prodigy Loans.

For more financial resources, check out UMN Student Services .

Consider your goals and needs

Paying for your graduate business education can be overwhelming. 

Take some time to learn about the kinds of programs and learning options available. This can help you create a plan to fund your degree. For example, learn about the difference between MBAs and specialty master's programs . Knowing which degree is right for you depends on your career goals.

Determine how and when you want to learn. Beyond full-time programs, there are also part-time and online options designed for you to work while you learn. Learn about course modalities .

Considering these two aspects will help you identify the best program to meet your goals given your current situation. Once you’ve identified some programs to apply to, it’ll be easier to estimate the total cost (tuition, materials and fees, and living expenses) and a strategy to pay for it.

Lastly, if you have private or federal student loans from your undergraduate degree, you can consider getting them deferred while you’re in grad school. Be aware that while you can stop making monthly payments, they may still accrue interest. Contact your loan service to find out your options.

Reach out for support

Remember, you don’t have to navigate this alone.

• Consider working with a financial advisor to help you build out a plan to fund your degree and for professional advice and guidance.
• Reach out to admissions officers at your schools of interest to help you identify the best program for you, get your questions answered, and/or learn more about scholarship opportunities, etc.
• Tap into your network and community to connect with those who have advanced business degrees for advice and guidance.

Connect with us

Schedule a one-on-one appointment with a Carlson School admissions counselor. They can help you learn more about Carlson School programs and the best fit for you. They can also answer any questions you have about the application process.

• Is a business education right for me?
• What are the different types of MBA programs?
• MBA or MS – What’s the difference?
• Can I get a business master’s without a business bachelor’s?

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Meet Josh Kushner, the billionaire venture capitalist who's married to Karlie Kloss and just made a major investment in Hollywood

• Josh Kushner, founder of venture capital firm Thrive Capital, has a net worth of $3.6 billion.
• Known as Jared Kushner's brother and Karlie Kloss' husband, he's successful in his own right.
• Thrive Capital has invested in companies like Instagram, Spotify, and, most recently, A24.

Josh Kushner is widely known as the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and the husband of supermodel Karlie Kloss , but he's also an accomplished businessman in his own right.

Kushner's investments in tech startups through his venture capital firm, Thrive Capital, have made him a billionaire worth $3.6 billion, according to Forbes .

Most recently, Thrive Capital backed A24 , the independent studio responsible for hits like "Everything Everywhere All at Once," "Uncut Gems," and HBO's "Euphoria."

Here are 10 things to know about Josh Kushner.

Josh Kushner, 39, is the youngest son of real estate developer Charles Kushner.

Charles is the founder of Kushner Companies , a real estate developer that owned 25,000 apartments throughout the Northeast at its peak in 2004, Forbes reported.

Charles served two years in prison and paid a $40,000 fine after pleading guilty in 2005 to tax evasion, retaliating against a federal witness, and lying to the FEC. Trump pardoned him in 2020.

He's a Harvard graduate.

Kushner graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in government in 2008. He spent a year working at Goldman Sachs before earning his MBA from Harvard Business School in 2011, Forbes reported.

Kushner told the publication in 2012 that he was "not the best student" in business school due to his frequent travels as a cofounder of Vostu, a social network turned gaming platform based in Brazil that he cofounded as an undergrad.

Kushner founded the venture capital firm Thrive Capital while at Harvard Business School. Its investments made him a billionaire.

Founded in 2009, Thrive Capital's early investments in tech startups such as Instagram , Spotify, Slack , and ClassPass paid off.

Andrew Golden, president of Thrive client Princeton University Investment Co., told Forbes that Kushner " has tremendous entrepreneurial instincts, he understands the perspective of founders and he's wickedly smart."

Thrive Capital was valued at $5.3 billion as of January 2023.

In June, Thrive Capital added the independent movie studio A24 to its portfolio with a $75 million investment.

The investment deal increased the valuation of A24 , known for Oscar-winning films such as " Everything Everywhere All At Once " and "Moonlight," to $3.5 billion.

Kushner will also join A24's board of directors. He already holds board positions at companies including the wedding planning platform Zola and online fine-art marketplace Artsy, according to Crunchbase .

Kushner also cofounded the health insurance startup Oscar Health in 2012.

Oscar Health , which sells health insurance plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, has about 1.5 million members as of April 2024, according to the company's official website . Its revenue totaled $5.9 billion in 2023, per the company.

Kushner is vice chair of Oscar Health's board of directors, and his cofounder, Mario Schlosser, is its chief technology officer.

Kushner's brother, Jared Kushner, served as a senior White House advisor in the Trump administration.

Kushner's brother, Jared Kushner, married Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, in 2009. Both Jared and Ivanka served as senior White House aides during Donald Trump's presidency .

Kushner has been open about the fact that he and his brother disagree on politics, but has shied away from commenting on Jared directly. He declined to speak to Esquire for a 2016 profile of Jared, saying through a spokesperson that he "loved his brother and did not want to say anything that might embarrass him." The spokesperson added that Kushner is a lifelong Democrat who did not vote for Trump.

Kushner donates to Democratic campaigns and has attended protests supporting women's rights and gun control.

OpenSecrets data shows that Kushner has donated to Democratic PACs and committees across the US and to candidates including former president Barack Obama, Sen. Cory Booker, and Beto O'Rourke .

He was spotted at the Women's March in Washington, DC, the day after Trump's inauguration in 2017. He also attended a March For Our Lives rally protesting gun violence in 2018 weeks after making a $50,000 donation to the group, Axios reported.

Kushner told Forbes in 2017 that he supports political leaders who share his "liberal values."

Kushner married supermodel and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss in 2018.

Kushner and Kloss met in 2012, according to a post Kloss made on X , and dated for six years before marrying.

They held two wedding ceremonies: a small Jewish ceremony in upstate New York in 2018 and a star-studded, Western-inspired reception at a Wyoming ranch in 2019.

In March, Kushner and Kloss bought the publication rights to Life magazine in order to relaunch the brand.

Kushner and Kloss acquired Life magazine through their media startup, Bedford Media.

Kloss, who serves as the media group's CEO, said in a statement that she and Kushner see the magazine as "an uplifting and unifying voice in a chaotic media landscape."

He and Kloss have two sons, Levi and Elijah.

Their first child, Levi, was born in March 2021.

Kloss revealed her second pregnancy at the Met Gala in May 2023 in a black velvet satin Loewe dress designed by Jonathan Anderson. She gave birth to their second child, Elijah, that July.

Kushner and Kloss post occasional photos of each other and their family on social media but don't often comment publicly on their private lives.

"I know in my life what really matters to me," Kloss told Harper's Bazaar in 2018. "I'm not trying to hide that from the world. I just really like having a more private life."

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The 2024-2025 MBA Application is Open!

We just opened the application for the MBA Class of 2027 (enrolling in fall 2025). We can’t wait to meet you through the application process— click here to get started!

Once you are ready to begin your application, remember to carefully review the instructions on our Application Process page and in the application itself. There are a few things to keep in mind:

• We have refreshed the criteria on which we evaluate candidates. We are looking for applicants who are business-minded, leadership-focused, and growth-oriented. Remember, you don’t have to have a traditional business background to apply to HBS.
• In this year’s application, we will ask you to respond to three short essays aligned with our criteria. This is your opportunity to discuss meaningful or formative experiences that are important to you that you haven’t had a chance to fully explore elsewhere in your application.
• We continue to offer a need-based application fee waiver . To be considered, you will need to submit a request form. These requests will be due two weeks prior to the application deadlines.

We encourage you to join any of our upcoming events to learn more about HBS and the application process.

Be authentic, be yourself. Good luck!