Presented below are the top entrepreneurship scholarships in the US currently available. It’s essential to have a clear understanding of your objectives before pursuing any opportunity.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur embarking on your own business venture or contemplating pursuing a business degree, securing a scholarship can be a wise decision, akin to making your initial investment.
By obtaining a scholarship, you not only alleviate a financial burden but also prioritize investing in your most valuable asset—yourself. It’s crucial to maintain your focus and determination despite the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Concentration enhances your entrepreneurial and business acumen, significantly boosting your chances of obtaining the desired scholarship.
Entrepreneurship Scholarships In The US
The Thiel Fellowship Scholarship:
Established in 2011 by technology mogul and investor Peter Thiel, this fellowship offers a unique opportunity to aspiring entrepreneurs under 23 years old. Unlike traditional scholarships, it provides substantial financial support over a span of two years.
Notably, applicants cannot be pursuing any form of academic education while benefiting from this fellowship. Approximately 20 to 30 fellows are chosen annually, with applications accepted throughout the year.
To be considered, candidates must demonstrate an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset, diverging from conventional classroom learning in business. Enrolment in university courses disqualifies applicants, emphasizing a preference for bold and daring endeavors. This fellowship encourages ambitious projects and embraces significant risks, appealing only to those willing to challenge the norm.
The CIAM Scholarship:
This stands in stark contrast to the Thiel Fellowship in almost every aspect. To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled students at CIAM with a minimum GPA of 3.0. CIAM, a 501c(3) non-profit institution, is committed to bridging theory with practical application.
Prospective candidates should either have initiated an exceptional service project within the last five years or demonstrated a decade-long dedication to volunteer work benefiting both people and the environment.
CIAM extends various scholarships beyond the Community Scholarship. The application procedures generally follow a similar pattern. Institutional scholarships typically offer $3,000 towards tuition, whereas program-specific scholarships provide $12,000 exclusively for certain degrees.
Scholarship For Future Business Leaders:
Each year, the Business Broker Network offers the Scholarship for the Business Leaders of Tomorrow. This initiative aims to support aspiring business leaders by connecting them with educational opportunities.
The selection process, primarily based on essay submissions, will determine one recipient by year-end. Eligible candidates include U.S.
The Leonard Family Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship For Cancer For College:
Cancer For College is a charity dedicated to providing financial assistance to individuals facing health challenges, primarily through scholarships. These scholarships are typically valued at $5,000 each and are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need.
To qualify, recipients must be enrolled full-time at a university and maintain this status throughout their studies. If a recipient fails to meet this requirement or transfers from a four-year university to a community college, they may forfeit their scholarship.
However, graduate students are exempt from the full-time enrollment rule. In cases where health issues force a recipient to leave school temporarily, they can request a one-time extension of their scholarship for up to one academic year. If the absence exceeds this period, the scholarship may be relinquished, but the recipient can reapply upon their return to school.
Applying for the Cancer for College scholarship is done exclusively online, and the organization offers various scholarships catering to different medical conditions.
For instance, the Leonard Family Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship awards $5,000 to students majoring in business or related fields who aspire to enter the food-service industry and potentially own and manage a restaurant.
Entrepreneurship Scholarships In The US
The FormSwift Startup Scholarship
Formswift offers an engaging and innovative scholarship opportunity. Participants can choose from five diverse industries—startup, restaurant, non-profit, transportation, and clothing—and create an infographic related to one of them for a chance to win $1,000.
The program accepts submissions three times a year, with deadlines on January 15, March 15, and September 15, providing multiple chances to win.
The primary requirement is that applicants must either be graduating high school students or currently enrolled in college.
Once eligibility is confirmed, applicants can submit their infographic and relevant details to a specified email address.
International students are encouraged to apply as well. The scholarship aims to assist budding entrepreneurs in refining essential skills they’ll utilize post-college.
Scholarship For Entrepreneurs Offered By Kitchen Cabinet Kings:
This scholarship, initiated by two entrepreneurs in the kitchen cabinet sector, aims to support students in the construction industry. Kitchen Cabinet Kings plans to grant a $5,000 scholarship to the applicant with the most outstanding entry, as determined by their team. The scholarship will be disbursed via check directly to the recipient. Submissions must be made by June 30th, 2021, and the winner will be announced on August 31st.
The Fellowship program at E2 by 1 Hotels:
The fellowship, despite its name, is geared towards entrepreneurs dedicated to tackling environmental challenges.
Collaborating with NRDC’s Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) program, 1 Hotels Fellows will identify critical environmental issues nationwide and undertake projects to advocate for smart policies addressing these concerns while emphasizing their business and economic benefits. The allocated funds are intended for these projects.
Every year, E2 selects 10 emerging leaders in clean energy businesses to make an impact in various sectors such as Climate Change, Clean Energy, Food & Agriculture, Healthy Communities, Oceans, Clean Water, Nature & Wildlife. E2 seeks projects that can address these challenges through innovative approaches like organization, research, advocacy, and more. The fellowships will span from January to December.
Scholarship By Grasshopper Entrepreneurs:
Established by a pair of visionary individuals, Grasshopper has been simplifying the process of launching and expanding small enterprises since 2003. Originating from humble beginnings, this venture, which initially comprised only two individuals, has now catered to over 300,000 entrepreneurs.
The Grasshopper scholarship presents a $5,000 award to its recipients. To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in a college or vocational school in the United States and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
The application deadline is August 30th, and essay prompts vary annually, revolving around contemporary or prospective business models.
Essentially, if you’re a current undergraduate with aspirations of initiating a business, this opportunity could serve as an ideal catalyst.
Scholarship For Young Entrepreneurs By Bluevine:
BlueVine, a company dedicated to assisting small businesses in securing rapid funding for their operational needs, is introducing a scholarship opportunity aimed at nurturing future entrepreneurs. The BlueVine Young Entrepreneurs scholarship program seeks to empower college and graduate students aspiring to pursue careers in entrepreneurship. The program will grant two scholarships worth $5,000 each, to be awarded during the spring and fall semesters.
By launching this initiative, BlueVine aims to acknowledge the vital role small businesses play in their communities and to extend support to those passionate about venturing into entrepreneurship.
To qualify, applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3. The scholarships will be awarded on a semiannual basis, with one recipient selected for each term.
As part of the application process, candidates are required to submit an essay ranging from 600 to 800 words, detailing the driving forces behind their entrepreneurial aspirations.
Additionally, the essay should outline how the scholarship would assist them in their academic pursuits and eventual journey as entrepreneurs.
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The GreenPal Scholarship:
The aim of The GreenPal Small Business Scholarship is to support a determined and ambitious student who aspires to become a future leader in business. The program recognizes that today’s students are the future entrepreneurs and employers of tomorrow.
If you are currently managing a small business while pursuing your college education, or if you have a small business concept that you plan to launch while attending college, we encourage you to apply. The recipient of the scholarship is announced every December.
However, the eligibility criteria for this scholarship are somewhat stringent. Applicants must demonstrate significant ambition and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Additionally, they must be majoring in business, economics, or finance. To apply, current or prospective students are required to submit a short essay (500 – 1000 words) along with a photograph to a designated email address.
Scholarship Opportunity Provided By Triadex Services:
The Triadex Services Scholarship Program annually aids college students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and a commitment to community service. Most recipients of this scholarship exhibit a strong interest in marketing, entrepreneurship, technology, and contributing positively to their communities.
Eligibility for this scholarship extends to current US college students or high school seniors awaiting enrollment in a college program.
Applicants must be pursuing studies in marketing, business, entrepreneurship, or technology, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3. However, temporary residents and international students are ineligible to apply.
Additionally, applicants with familial or friendship ties to Triadex employees are disqualified. Each year, up to five recipients are selected, with awards ranging from $250 to $750 per individual.
The Lily Pabilona Scholarship
The Lily Pabilona Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship, generously supported by Grace and Ranier Pabilona, aims to assist Asian American students at various education levels who are aspiring entrepreneurs.
Eligible candidates should be citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. Additionally, they must be either high school seniors or college students enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. vocational school, junior college, or four-year university, pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree for the upcoming academic year.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, and applicants should have at least 25% Asian and/or Pacific Islander heritage. Demonstrating an entrepreneurial mindset is crucial, and candidates should also be proprietors of small businesses.
Conclusion
Being an entrepreneur is hard, faced with many challenges and knowledge gap. With these entrepreneurship scholarships in the US, you would be able to gain enough knowledge in your chosen field of endeavor to scale your business.