Merit Scholarships

MBA - Tuition and Financial Aid - Merit Scholarships - International Student Scholarships

International Student Scholarships

Darden is committed to fostering a globally-minded community that reflects the global business world. To elevate the diversity of perspectives at the School, members of the Darden community have created the following scholarships specifically for international students. No separate application is required to be considered for these awards.

A Note About Our Scholarship Process

Most of Darden’s merit-based scholarships do not require an additional application. If admitted, students will be evaluated for available scholarships, which are competitively awarded based on a variety of metrics and considerations. Some scholarships require a supplemental application.

In addition, third-party scholarships and fellowships are independently offered and awarded by the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation (and other third-party scholarship providers). Examples of these non-University awarded scholarships can be found below. 

Typically, students will learn of any scholarship offer simultaneous with the offer of admission. Please note that not all named scholarships are available each year. Many are available every other year and some with less frequency.

  • Darden Indonesia Fellowship 

    This fellowship is used to increase access for Indonesian students who might benefit most from the Darden experience, increase the global focus of the curriculum and elevate the quality of the student body. The fellowship will provide up to the full cost of attendance for qualified Indonesian students that are not being sponsored through by a company or the government. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.

  • Hund-Mejean Family Scholarship

    This scholarship was established in 2013 by Martina Hund-Mejean (MBA ’88) and Bruno Mejean to provide financial support for international students proficient in German, or as a second preference for those proficient in at least one official language of the European Union in addition to English. The scholarship honors the memory of Ms. Hund-Mejean's parents, Dr. Helmut Hund and Barbara von Hagen. Hund-Mejean was previously chief financial officer for Mastercard and is a member of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees.

  • James Su-Ting Cheng & Jeannette Wang Cheng Scholarship

    This scholarship was established in 2006 by Jim Cheng (MBA ’87) and Jeannette Wang Cheng for the purpose of attracting the best and brightest students from East Asia to Darden. Mr. Cheng is an angel investor with CAV Angels, an Angel Investment group for UVA alumni, and the former Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. He is also a former member of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees and a member of the school’s Global Advisory Council. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.

  • Marion M. and Samuel T. Pendleton Fellowship

    This scholarship was established in 1978 by Marion M. and Samuel T. Pendleton for the purpose of providing scholarship support to students at the Darden School who are citizens of any country that was, or is, considered a part of the British Commonwealth and who demonstrate leadership, scholarship qualities and a seriousness of purpose to serve their home country in the public or private sector. Preference is given to candidates who are citizens of Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.

  • Darden Philippine Scholarship

    This scholarship was established by Darden alumni donors in 2014 to provide financial support for Darden MBA or Executive MBA students who are of Philippine citizenship or those who hold citizenship in the Southeast Asia region. The goal of the award is to broaden the Darden School's reach and awareness in this important region. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.

  • Darden China Scholarship 

    This scholarship was established in 2005 by a group of Darden's Chinese alumni and Adjunct Professor, Larry Franklin. The scholarship is used to attract the best and brightest students to Darden and to provide financial support for students from the Greater China geographical area. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.

  • Richard A. Beaumont Memorial Scholarship

    This scholarship was established by the Innovation Resource Center for Human Resources (IRC) to provide scholarships to Asian national students at the Darden School. Recipients are selected based on academic record, leadership qualities, dedication/interest in beginning an international management career in Asia, and demonstrated financial need. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.

  • Franklin Family Fellowship

    This scholarship was established in 2002 by Dr. Carl Mason Franklin (Law ’48), Dr. Sterling C. Franklin, Dr. Laurence C. Franklin and Wei-ching Kwong Franklin. Laurence Franklin previously served as the John Alden Purinton Jr. Visiting Professor of Business Administration at Darden. The scholarship is awarded to attract First Year MBA students to Darden from the Asia Pacific region and to help with financial support while they are studying at Darden. The scholarship is awarded with first preference to students from Hong Kong, second preference to students from China or Taiwan, and final preference for students from the Asia Pacific area. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.

  • Darden China WW Yen Scholarship

    This scholarship was established in 2012 by Zhiyuan "Jerry" Peng (MBA ’03) and Ying Hu to provide financial support for a Darden China scholar in memory of Mr. Way Ching Williams Yen, a pioneer and prominent diplomat. Mr. Yen served as one of the first ambassadors of China to the United States, the USSR and the League of Nations, and the first Chinese alumnus of the University of Virginia, graduating in 1900. His many accomplishments include serving five terms as premier and one term as acting president of the Republic of China, leading the founding of Tsinghua University, compiling the first English-Chinese dictionary and serving as chairman of Continental Bank. Mr. Yen exemplified the merit and power of expanded diversity within the UVA community. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.

  • International Business Society Scholarship

    This scholarship was established in 2001 by members of Darden's International Business Society to provide international students with demonstrated financial need the opportunity to attend Darden. Award preference is given to students from emerging nations of South America, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.

  • Arno Burckhardt Scholarship

    This scholarship was established by the late Darden alumnus Arno Burckhardt (MBA ’71) in 2006 to support a student from Germany or German-speaking from Austria and Switzerland. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.

  • Northern European Scholarship 

    This scholarship was established in 2015 by Kenneth D. Morgan (MBA ’68) to provide scholarships for outstanding students in the residential MBA program at Darden. Preference is given to students who are citizens of a Nordic or European country. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.

  • Darden Israeli Student Transition Grant 

    This scholarship, established in 2009 by Darden's Israeli alumni as well as other supporters, provides support for Darden Israeli students, based on merit and outstanding qualifications. Awards of approximately $3,000 are selectively awarded to First Year MBA students who meet the criteria of the award. These criteria include one or more of the following:

    1. Israeli citizenship, preferably currently living in Israel
    2. Prior education at an Israeli university
    3. Service in the Israeli military
    4. Strong work experience, community service and other extracurricular activities, preferably in Israeli or with an Israeli company/organization

    Students from Israel or of Israeli background (i.e. meeting one or more of the above criteria) are automatically considered for this award by the Darden Financial Aid Office. This scholarship is offered by the Darden School Foundation.