Scholarships for Entrepreneurs
Be Your Own Boss
Entrepreneurs are a special breed of person. They have foresight, tenacity, a capacity to live with risk and uncertainty, and ambition. They create jobs, which drives the economy. And it all starts with an idea.
If your dream is to work for yourself, you need the foundation of a good education to help you succeed. To assist you in that goal, scholarship monies are available. Please consider the following sources of funds:
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
The NASE Future Entrepreneur Scholarship provides up to $24,000.00 in funding to a student who has demonstrated the skills and abilities to be a micro-business owner. $12,000.00 is awarded the first year; $4,000.00 will be given for the next three years of study.
High school seniors or undergraduate students who are dependents of NASE members may be eligible for the NASE Scholarship, which is worth $4,000.00. Recipients are selected based on financial need, academic record, leadership ability, recommendations from instructors, and participation in school/community activities.
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
The NFIB offers several awards to teen business owners attending a vocational/trade school, community college, college, or university. One person will receive $10,000.00 under the Young Entrepreneur Awards program; four regional winners will receive $5,000.00 each. Other awards in the amount of $1,000.00 each are also available.
Applications will be evaluated based on the candidate's entrepreneurial experience, GPA, and SAT scores.
Odioworks Excellence in Entrepreneurship Scholarship
The Odioworks company offers a $500.00 scholarship to a college or university student (full-time) who has already had some entrepreneurial experience. Applicants will write a personal statement discussing the business ventures they have been involved in, what drives them to be entrepreneurs, and how they juggle being a business owner and a student.
Xavier University, Williams College of Business
One-$18,000.00 scholarship will be awarded annually from the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund. Students in their junior year planning on attending XU for their senior year of study are eligible to apply. In addition to academic ability, an applicant's entrepreneurial experience, leadership ability, and involvement in extracurricular and community activities will be taken into account.
California State University (San Bernardino), Spirit of the Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund
The Spirit of the Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund will award funds averaging $2,500.00 to both undergraduate and graduate students majoring in entrepreneurship. Applicants are asked to complete an application form (available online) and submit a personal essay outlining why they are interested in pursuing entrepreneurship studies and how the funds, if received, will assist them in reaching their educational goals.
University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business
Business owners studying for an Executive MBA (EMBA) are invited to apply for the Smith Entrepreneurship EMBA Scholarship. This program is available to individuals running a professional practice or a business and is a partial-tuition scholarship.
University of North Dakota, Center for Innovation
The Michael Marcil Entrepreneur Scholarship is available to student entrepreneurs at UND. $500.00 per semester is awarded.
The Jack Wright Entrepreneur Award provides $1,000.00 per semester in funding to an undergraduate student who is working to pay for their education. The content of an applicant's business plan will be considered when choosing recipients.
