Navigating the MBA Scholarship Landscape Beyond LPDP

As the LPDP registration window opened on January 11, aspiring MBA students find themselves at the crossroads of potential opportunities. While LPDP is a renowned scholarship program, there are alternative paths to consider.

Funded by the UK government and its partners, Chevening aims to nurture global leaders through academic support for a postgraduate program in the UK. Aspirants must boast a minimum of two years of work experience, commit to returning to their home country post-graduation, and have completed the necessary undergraduate prerequisites for a UK postgraduate program. What complicates the application process for Chevening is that applicants are required to have received an unconditional offer from one eligible UK university course by the application deadline. While applications for the 2024-2025 cycle have already closed, the window typically reopens in September.

Fulbright scholarship is available for Indonesian citizens pursuing graduate degrees or advanced research at US universities. Proficiency in English, an outstanding academic record, and a strong commitment to return to Indonesia upon completion of the program are prerequisites. To apply, you must also not be a permanent resident or citizen of the US or currently living in the US. Applicants also must show commitment to returning to Indonesia and working for another five years before retirement upon completion of the program. Application deadline is February 15, with screenings in March, interviews in April, and shortlist announcements in June.

For those navigating the MBA landscape, the Forte Fellowship stands as a distinctive opportunity exclusively for women in business. Forte doesn’t open applications to its scholarship directly. Instead, it will award scholarships to students accepted to its partner schools, which include prestigious institutions like Harvard Business School (HBS), INSEAD, Berkeley Haas, and NYU Stern. Forte requires applicants to secure an offer from one of these schools for consideration. So you need to secure an offer from a partner school to be recommended for a Forte Fellowship.

These scholarships provide different benefits and coverages. Chevening covers a fully funded master’s degree course in the UK, encompassing flights, accommodation, and course fees. Similarly, Fulbright provides visa support, flights, and funding for tuition, fees, living costs, and health insurance. Meanwhile, Forte’s coverage extends up to USD25,000 per recipient with the additional benefit of exclusive networking opportunities, leadership programs, and invite-only job openings within the Forte community.

One thing to keep in mind is that these scholarships are highly competitive. Every year, only one Indonesian, if any, receives a Fullbright scholarship for an MBA. To make things even more complicated, some of these scholarships are closely linked to the MBA program. Strategic planning will undoubtedly elevate your chances of securing the scholarship that aligns seamlessly with your MBA journey.

TOGA MBA Consulting can help you plan your MBA and scholarship applications, offering strategic insights to align your aspirations with the right scholarship options.