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INSEAD MBA - Need-Based, Merit-based, Spot Scholarships and Loans

INSEAD has increased its scholarship funds in the last three years, allowing the school to award larger scholarships to more participants. Nearly 100 different types of scholarships are available for both Fontainebleau and Singapore campuses.

In the third part of the INSEAD MBA series, we cover scholarships, loans, and financial aid. Read the first part – INSEAD MBA Total Cost, the second part – INSEAD MBA Curriculum Analysis and the fourth part - INSEAD MBA Essay(Analysis)

What is the fund size of INSEAD Scholarships?

INSEAD has allocated 5.7 million euros in scholarship funds, and the average scholarship amount is € 18.7k, with over 30% of applicants availing scholarships in some form.

Does the admissions team evaluate the application essays for scholarship?

The admission essays do not form part of the scholarship review process. The scholarship essays must be submitted separately.

How many scholarships can an INSEAD MBA candidate apply?

A candidate may apply to a maximum of 5 scholarships, and the application are filled at the interview stage.

Do INSEAD offer scholarships for candidates who are company sponsored?

INSEAD does not offer any scholarships for candidates with company sponsorship as it is viewed as a source of external funding in addition to the loans and financing options.

The three types of scholarships available to students are need-based, non-need-based (awarded based on professional background, nationality, leadership abilities, or any combination of these criteria), and spot scholarships (awarded immediately without the need for applications that is based on exceptional admissions profiles).

INSEAD MBA Need-Based Scholarships

Awarded to students who can show financial need. To provide accurate financial information, applicants must submit several supporting documents.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Awards are given based on academic merit, nationality, gender, professional background, leadership abilities, or any combination of these characteristics. Women, LGBT people, people from developing countries, entrepreneurs, and professionals with non-business backgrounds, such as doctors, attorneys, artists, and researchers, are all eligible to apply.

Spot Scholarships

These scholarships are given to outstanding students on the spot and do not require an application. Successful candidates will be notified of this reward when accepted into the program. Let us now look at the entire scholarship list provided by INSEAD, which includes categories such as Scholarships for Women, scholarships based on Leadership, Social Impact Scholarships, Scholarships for African Students, Merit Scholarships, and Financial Need Scholarships.

INSEAD Scholarships

Criteria

Awards

INSEAD Abu Dhabi Scholarship for Emirati NationalsEmirati nationalsUp to full tuition fees
INSEAD Africa Leadership FundAfricans residing in the region€40,000
INSEAD Africa Scholarship GroupAfrican nationalsFrom 15 000 EUR up to 40 000 EUR
INSEAD Abu Dhabi ScholarshipEmirati NationalsUp to full tuition fees
INSEAD Alcatel-Lucent Endowed Scholarship(s) for AsiansAsian nationals with engineering, high-tech or telecommunications background. Application through the Diversity Scholarship Group.€25,000
INSEAD Aleph ScholarshipJewish and Israeli of any religion.€15,000 to 20,000
INSEAD Alexandre Manson '97J Endowed ScholarshipSocio-economic diversity. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.Up to €20,000
INSEAD Alexis & Anne-Marie Habib Endowed ScholarshipLebanese nationals. Application through the Middle East Scholarship Group€25,000
INSEAD Alumni Association (IAA) Endowed Scholarship FundDiversity with financial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.Up to €25,000
INSEAD Alumni Fund (IAF) Diversity Scholarship(s)Need-based with preference to candidates residing in emerging/developing countries. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€10,000 to €18,000
INSEAD Alumni Fund (IAF) Special Profile Scholarship(s)Diversity (with a difference). Application through the Diversity group.€10,000 to 25,000
INSEAD Alumni of Switzerland Endowed Scholarship for Swiss CandidatesSwiss nationals€20,000
INSEAD Alumni of Switzerland Scholarship for Swiss Tech Entrepreneur CandidatesSwiss tech entrepreneurs€40,000
INSEAD Andreas Lehmann MBA'83J ScholarshipTalented individuals with financial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000
INSEAD Andrew Hordern Endowed Scholarship - '91DNon-traditional backgrounds€20,000
INSEAD Andy Burgess Endowed Scholarship for Social EntrepreneurshipSocial entrepreneurship, open only to December Class.€12,000
INSEAD Annette and Wolfgang Schaefer ScholarshipBelgian and German nationals. Application through the Diversity group€15,000 to 30,000
INSEAD Antonio Borges Endowed ScholarshipOutstanding academic achievements and promise. Application through the Diversity scholarship group.€15,000
INSEAD Beat Siegrist MBA '88D ScholarshipFinancial need with an element of merit€18,000 to 22,000
INSEAD Bechara & Yen Raad (Raad Foundation) ScholarshipLebanese nationals of merit. Application through the Middle East Scholarship group€18,000
INSEAD Belgian Alumni and Council ScholarshipBelgians with strong commitment to their country€10,000
INSEAD Bischoff Family Endowed ScholarshipSouthern Africa and/or South-East Asia. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000
INSEAD Blom Family Endowed Scholarship.Socio-economic diversity. Application through the Diversity scholarship group€15,000
INSEAD COTE Foundation Endowed ScholarshipChinese nationals. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000 to 18,000
INSEAD Canadian Endowed ScholarshipCanadian nationals. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€10,000
INSEAD Christina Law MBA ‘91D Endowed Scholarship for Asian WomenAsian Women. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€8,000 to 12,000
INSEAD Christoph Rubeli MBA ‘92D Endowed MBA ScholarshipMeritorious candidates of any nationality. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group€20,000 to 25,000
INSEAD Class of MBA'65 Scholarship for DiversityDiversity, financial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000
INSEAD Daniel and Yvonne Lalonde ScholarshipDiversity and merit. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000 to 20,000
INSEAD David Suddens MBA '78 ScholarshipAfrican nationals. Application through the Africa Scholarship group.€20,000
INSEAD Dean Brown Family Endowed Scholarship for WomenWomen candidates. Application through the Diversity scholarship group.€18,000 to 25,000
INSEAD Deepak and Sunita Gupta Endowed Scholarship(s)Emerging countries and financial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.Up to €25,000
INSEAD Diversity Scholarship GroupDiversity of backgrounds and financial need€10,000 to €18,000
INSEAD Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship GroupROMBA/LGBT community leaders€18,000
INSEAD Dr. Samih Darwazah Endowed ScholarshipJordanians and Palestinians. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000 to €25,000
INSEAD Dutch Alumni ScholarshipSocio-economic diversity. Application through the Diversity scholarship group.Up to €20,000
INSEAD Elof Hansson Endowed ScholarshipSwedish nationals€15,000 to €25,000
INSEAD Emmanuel Goldstein MBA '00D Endowed scholarship for diversity and inclusionLGBT community leaders. application through the Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship group.€18,000
INSEAD Eric Sasson MBA'90D ScholarshipMeritorious candidates of any nationality. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000 to 25,000
INSEAD Esa Hietala Endowed ScholarshipFinnish nationalsUp to €20,000
INSEAD Financial Aid AwardFinancially challenged candidates. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€8,000 to 18,000
INSEAD Forté FellowshipMeritorious women candidates interested in Forté Foundation. Application through the Women's scholarship group.€10,000 to 20,000
INSEAD French Alumni Endowed ScholarshipFrench nationals with financial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000 to 25,000
INSEAD Greendale Foundation ScholarshipSouthern and East Africans. Application through the Africa Scholarship group.€35,000
INSEAD Groupe Galeries Lafayette Endowed Scholarship for WomenMeritorious women candidates. Application through the Women's Scholarship group.€15,000
INSEAD Hachemi Family ScholarshipDiversity and financial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group€20,000
INSEAD Helmut Meier Scholarship for Women from Central and Eastern EuropeWomen from CEE. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€13,000
INSEAD Henriette and Norbert Albin Endowed MBA Scholarship FundFinancial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.Up to €20,000
INSEAD Heuschmidt Scholarship for DiversityFinancial need, socio-economic disadvantage. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€10,000
INSEAD Hinrich Foundation ScholarshipCandidates interested in international trade, open only to July Class.€30,000
INSEAD Ian Potter '93D and Family Endowed Asia ScholarshipAsians. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000
INSEAD Indeed Endowed ScholarshipEntrepreneurial, creative, un-conventional MBA backgrounds€25,000
INSEAD Indian Alumni ScholarshipIndian Nationals. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.Up to €25,000
INSEAD Indonesian Alumni and Friends ScholarshipIndonesian nationals. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000 to 20,000
INSEAD Italia Endowed ScholarshipItalian and Swiss nationals. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€10,000
INSEAD Jacques Nasser Endowed Leadership ScholarshipArab countries in the Middle East. Application through the Middle East Scholarship group.Up to €25,000
INSEAD Jean-François Clin MBA ’76 ScholarshipEuropean nationals. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000 to 25,000
INSEAD Jeremy Golding MBA ‘89J Endowed MBA Scholarship FundDiversity and need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000
INSEAD Judith Connelly Delouvrier Endowed ScholarshipMeritorious women candidates. Application through the Women's scholarship group.€20,000 to 25,000
INSEAD L'Oréal ScholarshipCreative, innovative, entrepreneurial, positive social and/or environmental impact€25,000
INSEAD LIFE Foundation ScholarshipLebanese with interest in financeUS$12,000
INSEAD Lebanon NAA Endowed ScholarshipLebanese nationals. Application through the Diversity scholarship group.€15,000
INSEAD Leonidas and Eirini Los Family AwardGreek nationals. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.Up to €15,000
INSEAD Leopoldo del Pino MBA’94D ScholarshipSpanish nationalsUp to €30,000
INSEAD Loan Assistance ProgrammeCareers in social impact after graduation€5,000 to 10,000
INSEAD Louis Franck Scholarship(s)UK nationalsUp to €15,000
INSEAD Louis and Evelyn Franck Endowed Award for ExcellenceBest academic merit, no application required.€11,000
INSEAD Luis Freitas de Oliveira '93D Endowed Scholarship for an Open EuropeFirst or second generation immigrants from non-European countries. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€10,000
INSEAD MBA '03D Endowed Diversity ScholarshipDiversity. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€18,000
INSEAD MBA '70 Special Profile Endowed ScholarshipDiversity. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.Up to €15,000
INSEAD MBA '81 Scholarship for WomenWomen driving business as a force for goodUp to €50,000
INSEAD MBA '87J Special Profile Endowed ScholarshipDiversity. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000 to 20,000
INSEAD MBA '89D Endowed ScholarshipDiversity. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.Up to €10,000
INSEAD MBA '91 June Endowed ScholarshipEmerging markets. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000 to 20,000
INSEAD MBA '93J Endowed ScholarshipDiversity. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000
INSEAD MBA Endowed Scholarship for MauritiusMauritian nationals. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000 to 25,000
INSEAD MBA ‘89J Glen Jones Endowed ScholarshipDiversity. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€18,000
INSEAD MBA'68 Scholarship for WomenWomen candidates. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€10,000 to 20,000
INSEAD MBA'80 Endowed Scholarship for EuropeCitizens of EU, EEA and Switzerland. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€18,000
INSEAD MBA'97D Endowed Scholarship in Memory of Sarah, Charles and FrisoDiversity. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€18,000
INSEAD MBA’75 Nelson Mandela Endowed ScholarshipSub-Saharan Africans. Application through the Africa Scholarship group.Up to €20,000
INSEAD MBA’92J Lynn Busteed Endowed ScholarshipDiversity. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000
INSEAD Machaba Machaba MBA '09D ScholarshipSub-Saharan Africans. Application through the Africa scholarship group.€20,000
INSEAD Matthias and Stefania Calice ScholarshipAustrian nationals. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000
INSEAD Michael Salomon’89J Endowed ScholarshipAcademic achievements and promise, financial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000
INSEAD Michael and Susan Pragnell Endowed ScholarshipDiversity and financial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000
INSEAD Michele Pedercini MBA’92J Scholarship for Italian talentsItalian nationals. Application through the Diversity scholarship group.€15,000
INSEAD Middle East Scholarship GroupCandidates from the Middle East€10,000 to 25,000
INSEAD Mr. and Mrs. Lo Ling Endowed ScholarshipAsians with the link to the region. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€12,000
INSEAD Norway Scholarship(s)Norwegian nationals€10,000 to 13,000
INSEAD Octapharma Scholarship Endowed in Honour of Wolfgang MarguerreSelected EU countries and Russia. Application through Diversity group.Up to €20,000
INSEAD Oliver and June Knowles Endowed ScholarshipAdmits with background in science.€15,000
INSEAD Orange Endowed Scholarship(s) for Emerging MarketsEmerging Markets. Application through the Diversity Scholarship Group.€25,000
INSEAD Padma and Rashmi Shah Social Enterprise ScholarshipSocial enterprise. Social Entrepreneurship Scholarship Group€20,000
INSEAD Piet and Wina Van Waeyenberge Endowed ScholarshipWomen candidates with engineering background. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.Up to €20,000
INSEAD Qinqin and Xin Zhang ScholarshipDiversity and financial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€25,000
INSEAD RSG Foundation Scholarship for LebaneseLebanese with financial need. Application through the Middle East Scholarship group.€25,000
INSEAD Reaching Out LGBT FellowshipLGBT /ROMBA Foundation community leaders€18,000
INSEAD Renaud Lagesse '93D Scholarship for Southern and East AfricaSouthern and East Africans; Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€10,000
INSEAD Robin Hood ScholarshipFinancial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€15,000 to 20,000
INSEAD Russian Alumni Endowed ScholarshipRussian, Ukrainian, Belorussian nationals. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000
INSEAD Rémy and Verena Best Endowed ScholarshipMeritorious candidates in need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€40,000
INSEAD Sam Akiwumi Endowed Scholarship - '07DAfrican nationals. Application through the Africa Scholarship group.€15,000 to 20,000
INSEAD Sam Barnett MBA '97J Scholarship for ResilienceCandidates who demonstrated resilience and impact. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000
INSEAD Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (Sylff)Social engagement and social enterprise€40,000
INSEAD Singapore ScholarshipSingapore citizens and PRs€18,000
INSEAD Social Impact AwardInternships in social impact for the December Class€400 up to 3,000 for the duration of the internship.
INSEAD Syngenta Endowed Scholarship(s) for Emerging Country LeadershipEmerging countries€22,500
INSEAD Theo Vermaelen ScholarshipNationals of Africa and the Middle East. Application through the Middle East or Africa Scholarship group.Up to €40,000
INSEAD Tomorrow's Leaders ScholarshipDiversity and financial need. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€10,000 to 20,000
INSEAD Witt Scholarship for South East Asiasoutheast Asia candidates. Application through the Diversity Scholarship group.€20,000 to 25,000
INSEAD Women's Scholarship GroupWomen€10,000 to 25,000
INSEAD Basile Antoine Meguerdiche Endowed ScholarshipLebanese students10000
INSEAD Climate Change ScholarshipStudents fighting against climate change20000
INSEAD Hoffmann Institute Impact Internship StipendStudents participating in Summer Internship for social impact€1500/month
INSEAD Singapore ScholarshipSingapore citizens18000

INSEAD MBA External Funding and Loans

Students can investigate a variety of international funding schemes as well as local funding sources in their home country that are known to INSEAD.

GLOBAL INSEAD Loan

Lendwise

All accepted students are eligible to apply for a Lendwise Ltd loan. Lendwise, a specialized loan company based in London, is regulated by the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (UK). Students enrolled in full-time programs approved for a Lendwise loan will have a grace period during which repayment is not required. The provided interest rate is competitive, fixed for the entire loan term, and determined by the overall application profile. To apply, students must have received an offer of admission to an INSEAD program. The entire application process is conducted online.

Brain Capital

Brain Capital tuition assistance is available to all admitted students. Tuition is entirely repaid based on the student's salary, providing them with the greatest flexibility in their future career and life choices. Students will also receive individual career counseling both before and after graduation. The fund covers their entire tuition and living expenses.

Juno

Juno (previously LeverEdge) is a student loan labor organization. They collaborate with lenders to provide a special rate to US citizens and international students with valid US cosigners. Non-French students accepted to INSEAD who require financial assistance can apply for loans from banks and/or private student lenders such as Juno, a platform based in the United States that allows students to apply for loans in US dollars. Loans for tuition are available but not for living expenses. Juno receives no monetary or in-kind compensation from INSEAD.

Prodigy loan

All admitted students are eligible to apply for the International Loan Program at Prodigy Finance. Prodigy Finance was founded by three INSEAD MBA graduates who knew firsthand the difficulties of funding an international MBA program. In 2007, they set out to address this issue. Their innovative approach provides loans to international postgraduate students at top business schools. Alumni and other investors profit from their community platform, while students gain access to higher education that they would not have been able to afford otherwise.

Edbridg

Edbridg, named one of the most promising student finance options by Forbes magazine in 2020, provides access to education to deserving individuals solely based on their aptitude and merit. They invest in students' future success through innovative Income Share Agreements, which allow them to pursue their intended path while protecting them in an unexpected professional event. In exchange for this investment, students pay a fixed percentage of their earnings for a set period.

Global Scholarships

Sainsbury Management Fellowship

The Sainsbury Management Fellowship helps young engineers earn a Business degree and qualify them to contribute towards the UK economy. The Sainsbury Management Fellowship is open to UK/EU residents who live in the United Kingdom and have a major in engineering.

MBA for Women

The MBA for Women Foundation is a non-profit organization that assists young and ambitious women who wish to pursue an MBA at a prestigious business school.

Global Study Awards

The Global Study Awards recognize studying abroad as a positive life-changing experience for many students, opening their minds to new personal and professional possibilities. It was launched in August 2015 by the ISIC Association, StudyPortals, and the British Council IELTS, with individual awards of up to £10,000 (€12,000).

Educations.com

This scholarship is available to European students pursuing a Master's degree.

CFA Institute University Affiliation Program

INSEAD has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. The MBA program has been recognized for covering at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) and focusing on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. This program prepares students to earn the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, the world's most prestigious and widely recognized investing credential.

Related Service: F1GMAT's INSEAD MBA Application Essay Editing Service

Related Book: F1GMAT’s INSEAD MBA Essay Guide

Reference

INSEAD MBA

INSEAD MBA Analysis

Atul Jose - Scholarship/Fellowship Essay EditingScholarship/Fellowship Essay Editing - Work with Atul Jose (Founding Consultant and Essay Specialist)

With the word limit typically in the 500 to 1500 range, it is not easy to structure the essay without losing momentum.

I will help you structure the scholarship essay by:

1)  Life stories

I will help you find unique life experiences that would differentiate you from the highly competitive scholarship application pool.

2)  Storytelling

I have developed a keen sense of storytelling from over a decade and a half of editing essays and writing essay examples for F1GMAT’s Essay Guides.

The skills that a writer/editor brings to the table are different from what a former admissions officer or a consultant who has limited writing skills brings

Review Skills # Writing Skills
Movie Critics # Movie Directors

It is easy to comment, but it is tough to structure the essay from the perspective of the applicant and turn the essay into a winning scholarship essay.

3) Aligning with the Mission of the Fund

A big part of editing and guiding applicants is in educating them about the mission of the fund. 

Some funds have very ‘specific’ traits that they are looking for in an applicant. 

If you don’t highlight them and lean towards general leadership narratives, the essay won’t work. 

I will guide you through the writing process. 

I will also iteratively edit the essays without losing your original voice.

Subscribe to F1GMAT's Scholarship/Fellowship Essay Editing Service for help

For any questions about the service, email me, Atul Jose, at editor@f1gmat.com