Skip to main content

Five ways to pay for an MBA

The cost of earning your Master of Business Administration (MBA) might discourage you from going back to school. However, paying for an MBA doesn’t have to be a daunting task. MBA students have a number of options for financial aid.

1. Tuition assistance from employer

Some employers offer a tuition assistance program to help their employees in paying for an MBA. Companies may offer to pay your tuition in full, or may have a cap on how much tuition they will offer. In some cases, the employer might have you sign a contract to pay back the tuition if you leave the organization, or might require you to make a certain GPA in order to apply tuition reimbursement benefits. The program is a win-win because you are acquiring the training you need and want, and your employer is gaining an employee with more advanced knowledge about strategies and techniques to help the business.

2. Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to get help with paying for an MBA. Business schools may offer awards based on merit, which some institutions call fellowships. The type of scholarships will vary by school and even may vary from year to year. Schools may offer a certain scholarship one year, but not the next. So don’t stop looking while you are enrolled in an MBA program.

Scholarships for MBA students are not as abundant as other disciplines. It is important to start looking early for MBA scholarships and work to be a strong candidate. Many other students may be applying to the same scholarship, so try to find things that make you stand out.

3. Loans

Taking out a loan may help in assisting you through your MBA program. Getting a loan may allow you to make payments on your tuition after your graduation. There are two main types of loans to help you get through graduate school: private loans and government loans. Private loans can offer lower interest rates, but often do not have the same consumer protection and repayment options that government loans have. Government loans offer different programs, such as Pay as You Earn and Income-Based Repayment (IBR), which can allow you to pay back different amounts based on your salary throughout your career. Researching the loans and talking to a financial aid representative can help you decide which loan is best for you.

4. Working while in school

Another option to help assist you in paying for an MBA is working while you are enrolled in an MBA program. Online MBA programs may be a good option because they can allow you to work on your MBA on your own schedule. Working may be able to give you some of the money you need to pay for an MBA program, but may also cause some stress. Weigh your options to find the right balance.

5. Military assistance

Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. This assistance is not considered a loan nor does it have to be re-paid. Rather, it is viewed as money the service member has earned. Tuition will vary from school to school, but the military may cover up to 100 percent of the cost. This is a great incentive for students who are military veterans or on active duty. Tuition assistance is also available for students enrolled in online MBA programs. For active-duty service members, earning an online MBA may be beneficial, allowing them to continue serving and complete their degree at the same time.

Getting tuition assistance can help you earn your MBA and advance in your career. Remember to look at your options and weigh the pros and cons of each payment option. Starting early is the key to getting the help you need.

Learn more about UT Tyler’s online MBA program.


Sources:

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/articles/2014/12/11/become-a-good-candidate-for-mba-scholarships

http://humanresources.about.com/od/glossaryt/g/tuition.htm

http://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2014/09/17/should-you-take-a-private-loan-for-graduate-school/

http://www.military.com/education/money-for-school/tuition-assistance-ta-program-overview.html

Related Articles

Our Commitment to Content Publishing Accuracy

Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only. The nature of the information in all of the articles is intended to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered.

The information contained within this site has been sourced and presented with reasonable care. If there are errors, please contact us by completing the form below.

Timeliness: Note that most articles published on this website remain on the website indefinitely. Only those articles that have been published within the most recent months may be considered timely. We do not remove articles regardless of the date of publication, as many, but not all, of our earlier articles may still have important relevance to some of our visitors. Use appropriate caution in acting on the information of any article.

Report inaccurate article content:

Request More Information

Submit this form, and an Enrollment Specialist will contact you to answer your questions.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Or call 877-588-3286

Begin Application Process

Start your application today!

or call 877-588-3286 877-588-3286

for help with any questions you may have.

Apply now to save on an online MBA program!

With limited-time tuition savings of more than $150 per credit hour, now is the ideal time to get started on your 100% online accelerated MBA program from UT Tyler. Choose the specialized concentration tailored to your professional goals and apply today.

This discounted tuition rate is for newly enrolled students and is valid for the January 2024 term through the October 2024 term. Student must apply by the term’s application deadline and enroll by the term’s registration deadline start to qualify. The discounted tuition rate will consist of $739.21 per credit hour or $2,217.62 per 3 credit hour course. The discounted tuition rate cannot be combined with any other scholarship or partner rate. Students who have previously stepped-out of a University of Texas at Tyler program once started will not qualify for this offer. This offer will not be retroactively available to students. The discounted tuition rate will expire in October 2024. The discounted tuition rate includes all fees and is subject to change without notice. The University reserves the right to increase tuition and fees at any time.

UT Tyler Online
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.