Abhyank Srinet 
Table of Contents
Berkeley Haas MBA scholarships include merit-based, need-based, supplemental and centre-based awards for domestic and international students. Haas awarded approximately ₹124.43 crore ($13 million) in scholarships to entering Full-Time MBA students for 2025–26. All applicants are automatically considered for merit awards, while some scholarships require supplemental information. Most individual award amounts are not publicly disclosed. Indian applicants can qualify for several awards, including the Dr. Tahir Fellowship, Berkeley Haas Scholarships and Berkeley MBA Grant.
Introduction
Financing an MBA at a leading US business school can feel overwhelming, especially when tuition, living costs and international travel are added together. Berkeley Haas MBA scholarships help qualified applicants reduce this financial burden through merit-based awards, need-based grants and specialised fellowships. Located within the University of California, Berkeley, Haas is known for its focus on innovation, responsible leadership and entrepreneurship. Scholarship consideration is available to domestic and international applicants, including Indian candidates, although eligibility and award amounts vary across different fellowships.
For 2025–26, Berkeley Haas awarded approximately ₹124.43 crore ($13 million) in scholarships to entering Full-Time MBA students. The estimated non-resident tuition and fees were ₹85.22 lakh ($89,033), while the total first-year cost was approximately ₹1.28 crore ($133,655). The latest class also reported a median GMAT Focus score of 675. In this blog, we explain the available Berkeley Haas MBA scholarships, eligibility requirements, application process, deadlines and funding options for Indian applicants.
Types of Scholarships Offered at Berkeley Haas
Berkeley Haas MBA scholarships are available across several categories, allowing applicants to be considered according to their achievements, financial circumstances, background, professional interests and leadership experience.
The four main scholarship categories are:
- Need-based scholarships
- Merit-based scholarships and fellowships
- Supplemental scholarships
- Centre and institute fellowships
All Full-Time MBA applicants are automatically considered for merit-based awards during the admissions review. A separate application is not required for these awards. However, additional opportunities that require supplemental information become available through the applicant’s Graduate Admissions status page after the MBA application is submitted.
Berkeley Haas does not publish a fixed minimum, average or maximum award for most scholarships. Award values depend on the applicant, the fellowship and the funding available during that admissions cycle.
Need-Based Scholarships
Berkeley Haas MBA scholarships include need-based options for students who require financial support to complete the programme. The school evaluates factors such as income, savings, assets and household size when considering applicants for need-based funding.
Berkeley Haas does not publish the exact amount or recipient percentage for these need-based awards. Eligible Indian applicants may use an estimated planning range of ₹9.57 lakh–₹47.86 lakh ($10,000–$50,000), but the actual amount depends on the applicant’s financial circumstances and available funding.
Berkeley MBA Grant
The Berkeley MBA Grant is awarded primarily to students demonstrating significant financial need. Indian applicants can apply by submitting supplemental information through the Graduate Admissions status portal after completing their MBA application.
Applicants must self-report their income, savings, assets and household size. Haas does not publish an income cut-off because eligibility is assessed through a dynamic review process. Conditional recipients must later provide supporting documents to verify the financial information submitted.
The grant amount is not officially disclosed. Indian applicants may use an estimated planning range of ₹9.57 lakh–₹47.86 lakh ($10,000–$50,000), although the final award may be lower or higher depending on demonstrated need and available funds.
Ma McFarland Fellowship
The Ma McFarland Fellowship is awarded to Full-Time MBA students who demonstrate financial need. The official eligibility criteria do not restrict the fellowship by citizenship, which means eligible Indian applicants may be considered.
Berkeley Haas does not publish a fixed award value or the number of recipients selected each year. Applicants may use an estimated planning range of ₹9.57 lakh–₹47.86 lakh ($10,000–$50,000), but this is not an officially guaranteed amount.
| Scholarship Name | Amount Provided | Coverage | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ma McFarland Fellowship | Estimated ₹9.57 lakh–₹47.86 lakh ($10,000–$50,000) | Need-based financial support; amount varies | Full-Time MBA applicants demonstrating financial need, including eligible Indian applicants |
| Berkeley MBA Fellowship | Estimated ₹9.57 lakh–₹47.86 lakh ($10,000–$50,000) | Need-based grant; amount varies | Applicants assessed using income, savings, assets and household size |
| Berkeley Haas Scholarships | Estimated ₹19.14 lakh–₹76.58 lakh ($20,000–$80,000) | Merit-based scholarship or fellowship funding | Applicants demonstrating academic preparation, leadership, professional impact, resilience and alignment with Haas values |
| Dr. Tahir Fellowship | ₹38.29 lakh ($40,000) | Merit-based fellowship for international applicants | International students, with preference for applicants who completed their undergraduate education in Asia |
| Forté Fellowships | Estimated ₹19.14 lakh–₹47.86 lakh ($20,000–$50,000) | Scholarship support; final amount varies | Applicants demonstrating leadership and commitment to advancing women in business |
| Reaching Out MBA Fellowship | At least ₹19.14 lakh ($20,000) | Scholarship support; final Haas award may vary | Applicants demonstrating LGBTQ+ leadership and commitment to inclusion in business |
| Center for Responsible Business Fellowship | ₹19.14 lakh ($20,000) | ₹9.57 lakh ($10,000) per academic year | Applicants demonstrating commitment to responsible and sustainable business |
| Brian Maxwell Fellowship | ₹76.58 lakh ($80,000) | Merit-based fellowship funding | Applicants demonstrating entrepreneurial spirit and experience creating innovative products, projects or ideas |
| Mike and Carol Meyer Fellowship | ₹19.14 lakh ($20,000) | Merit-based fellowship funding | Applicants with engineering or science backgrounds or those planning entrepreneurial careers |
Merit-Based Scholarships and Fellowships
Berkeley Haas MBA scholarships include a range of merit-based fellowships recognising academic achievement, professional contribution, leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship and support for an inclusive business community.
All applicants to the Full-Time MBA programme are automatically considered for merit-based awards. Haas evaluates the overall strength of the application, professional goals, academic achievement, leadership, intended concentration and alignment with the school’s Defining Leadership Principles.
What Should Indian Applicants Know About Berkeley Haas MBA Scholarships?
Indian applicants are eligible for Berkeley Haas MBA scholarships unless a particular award has citizenship, geographic, educational or background restrictions. Haas confirms that domestic and international applicants can be considered for scholarship funding.
The Dr. Tahir Fellowship is particularly relevant because it is available to international candidates and gives preference to applicants who completed undergraduate education in Asia. Indian candidates may also be considered for Berkeley Haas Scholarships, the Ma McFarland Fellowship, Berkeley MBA Grant, Brian Maxwell Fellowship, C&J White Fellowship, Forté Fellowship, ROMBA Fellowship and CRB Fellowship when they meet the respective criteria.
Indian applicants should note that:
- The Jimenez Family Fellowship is restricted to US citizens.
- The Haas–FUNED Grant is intended for eligible Mexican students.
- The Blue Duck Scholarship requires an undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon.
- The Torres Family Fellowship gives preference to California-born applicants.
- The Dr. Tahir Fellowship is one of the most directly relevant opportunities for applicants educated in India.
- Most individual award amounts are not published.
Funding is limited and may vary by admissions round. - Applying early can provide consideration for a broader range of available awards.
For the Class of 2027, the official Haas class profile reports 273 enrolled students, 44% international students, a median GMAT Focus score of 675 and a middle 80% GMAT Focus range of 637–725. The previous GMAT format has a median of 730 and a middle 80% range of 669–767. Because Haas publishes these figures, no estimated GMAT range is required.
Indian applicants should also prepare a broader funding plan rather than depending entirely on scholarships. Haas lists international loan options that may not require a US co-signer or US credit history. One officially listed option allows eligible international students to borrow up to approximately ₹97.63 lakh ($102,000) for the 2026–27 academic year, although loan terms, rates and eligibility must be checked before borrowing.
How Do You Apply for Berkeley Haas MBA Scholarships?
The Berkeley Haas MBA scholarship application is largely integrated into the main Full-Time MBA application. All applicants are automatically considered for most merit-based awards, while need-based and supplemental scholarships require additional information through the Graduate Admissions status page.
Step 1: Complete the MBA Application
Applicants must create an account and submit the Berkeley Haas Full-Time MBA application by the deadline for their chosen admission round. Haas reviews the complete application holistically when making admission and merit-scholarship decisions.
Sources: Berkeley Haas Application
Step 2: Upload the Required Documents
The application normally requires:
- Academic transcripts from every undergraduate and graduate institution attended
- A current professional résumé
- GMAT or GRE test results
- Required MBA essays
- Two professional recommendation letters
- English-language proficiency results, when applicable
- ₹23,929 ($250) non-refundable application fee
One recommendation should normally come from the applicant’s current direct supervisor. Candidates must take the GMAT or GRE before the deadline for their chosen application round, although Berkeley Haas does not publish a minimum acceptable score.
Step 3: Complete the Supplemental Scholarship Application
A separate application is not required for most merit-based Berkeley Haas MBA scholarships. Every Full-Time MBA applicant is automatically considered based on the strength of the admission application, academic achievement, professional goals, leadership experience, intended concentration and alignment with the Haas Defining Leadership Principles.
Applicants interested in the Berkeley MBA Grant, Brian Maxwell Fellowship, Forté Foundation Fellowship, Reaching Out MBA Fellowship and other supplemental opportunities must provide additional information through their Graduate Admissions status page.
For need-based funding, candidates may need to report:
- Personal and household income
- Savings
- Financial assets
- Household size
- Supporting financial documents if an award is offered
Berkeley Haas does not publish a fixed income cut-off for the Berkeley MBA Grant. The school recommends that interested applicants submit the need-based application because eligibility is assessed using several financial factors.
Step 4: Attend the MBA Interview
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an MBA interview. Interviews are conducted by invitation only and are required before Berkeley Haas can make an offer of admission.
The interview does not function as a separate scholarship interview in most cases. However, the admissions committee may consider the applicant’s complete profile, including evidence of leadership, professional impact and alignment with Haas values, when making scholarship decisions.
Step 5: Receive the Scholarship Decision
Most Berkeley Haas MBA scholarship decisions are announced at the time of admission. Supplemental scholarship decisions are released according to the timeline for the applicant’s admission round.
For students entering in fall 2027, the supplemental scholarship deadlines and decision dates are:
| Admission Round | Scholarship Application Deadline | Scholarship Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 6 November 2026 | 10 December 2026 |
| Round 2 | 26 February 2027 | 25 March 2027 |
| Round 3 | 9 April 2027 | 7 May 2027 |
Applicants should complete the supplemental scholarship application in the same round as their MBA application. Berkeley Haas states that scholarship funding is limited and advises candidates for whom financial support is important to apply earlier in the admissions cycle.
Sources:Berkeley Haas scholarship deadlines .
Specialized Scholarships
Berkeley Haas offers specialised opportunities through its academic centres and institutes for MBA students interested in responsible business, sustainability, social impact, equity and inclusive leadership. However, not every Haas centre currently provides a dedicated Full-Time MBA scholarship. Among the centre-based awards officially listed for Full-Time MBA students, the Center for Responsible Business Fellowship is the main scholarship with a published award amount.
Center for Equity, Gender, & Leadership Fellowship
The Center for Equity, Gender, & Leadership develops programmes, courses, research and resources that prepare students to become inclusive and purpose-driven leaders. Its work focuses on gender equity, workplace inclusion, responsible leadership and positive organisational change.
However, Berkeley Haas does not currently list a separate Center for Equity, Gender, & Leadership Fellowship for entering Full-Time MBA students. The previously stated award range of ₹9.57 lakh–₹23.93 lakh ($10,000–$25,000) is not published on the current official Haas scholarship pages and should therefore not be presented as an available scholarship.
Applicants committed to advancing gender equity and inclusion may instead be considered for relevant Berkeley Haas Scholarships or the Forté Foundation Fellowship, depending on their profile and the opportunities available during the application cycle.
Center for Responsible Business (CRB) Fellowship
The Center for Responsible Business Fellowship supports Full-Time MBA students who demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability, corporate responsibility and using business to address social or environmental challenges.
The fellowship provides ₹19.14 lakh ($20,000), distributed as ₹9.57 lakh ($10,000) per academic year over the two-year MBA programme. One student is normally selected for the fellowship each year.
Admitted Full-Time MBA students are automatically considered, so no separate fellowship application is required. Haas looks for applicants with:
- A strong interest in responsible and sustainable business
- Demonstrated leadership potential
- Previous involvement in corporate responsibility or social impact
- A career plan that integrates environmental or social considerations
- A clear commitment to addressing sustainability challenges through business
The selected CRB Fellow also receives an automatic place on the Center for Responsible Business Student Advisory Board, along with access to mentorship from CRB staff, faculty, senior advisory board members and the fellowship donor. Candidates being considered are normally contacted during the summer.
Best Tips to Secure Berkely Haas MBA Scholarship Application![Berkeley Haas MBA Scholarships: Eligibility Criteria]()
Pursuing an MBA at Berkeley Haas is a significant investment, but the school offers several scholarships that can reduce the financial burden. Securing an award requires a strong application that clearly presents your academic ability, professional accomplishments, leadership and fit with Haas.
The following tips can strengthen your scholarship profile:
- Maintain Academic Excellence: Present a strong academic record and a competitive GMAT or GRE score to demonstrate that you can manage the programme’s academic demands.
- Showcase Leadership Skills: Provide examples of leadership roles and explain the measurable effect of your decisions on your company, team or community.
- Align with Haas Values: Demonstrate how you have applied the principles of Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always and Beyond Yourself.
- Write Tailored Essays: Use your essays to communicate your goals, values and connection with Berkeley Haas rather than providing generic MBA statements.
- Secure Strong Recommendations: Select recommenders who can provide detailed examples of your leadership, teamwork, growth and professional impact.
- Apply Early: Haas states that scholarship funding is limited and encourages applicants for whom funding is important to apply earlier in the admissions cycle.
- Demonstrate Financial Need: For need-based support, provide accurate details about income, savings, assets and household size.
- Highlight Diversity Contributions: Explain your genuine work in areas such as gender equity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, diversity, responsible business or social impact when relevant to your profile.
- Engage with Haas Centers: Applicants targeting the CRB Fellowship should clearly demonstrate how they intend to engage with responsible-business initiatives at Haas.
- Proofread Your Application: Ensure that your application is clear, consistent and free from errors. Every section should support the same professional and leadership story.
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Conclusion
Berkeley Haas MBA scholarships can make the programme more financially accessible for Indian applicants through a mix of merit-based, need-based and specialised fellowships. Candidates should focus on scholarships that match their academic record, leadership experience, financial situation and career goals, while paying close attention to eligibility requirements and application deadlines. Since many award amounts vary by applicant, it is also important to prepare a broader funding plan using savings, education loans and external scholarships alongside institutional support.
