Merit Scholarships

MBA - Tuition and Financial Aid - Merit Scholarships - Military Scholarships

Military Scholarships

A Darden MBA coupled with military experience provides a competitive advantage in the business world. Darden is dedicated to the education of the whole person with the goal of enhancing the wide range of transferable skills already finely honed by the military for the business world: leadership, discipline, decision-making, teamwork and ethical behavior.

To prove this commitment, members of the Darden community have created the following scholarships specifically for members of the United States Armed Forces. No separate application 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.

  • Edward A. Watjen Military Fellowship

    Established by Thomas R. Watjen (MBA ’81) to support military students in honor of his father, the late Edward A. Watjen,, a World War II veteran and himself a recipient of financial support following the war. Thomas Watjen retired as Chairman of Unum Group in 2017 after serving as President and CEO from 2003-2015. He is also a former member of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees.

  • Col. James L. Fowler USMC Scholarship

    Established by Robert J. Hugin (MBA ’85) in honor of Col. James L. Fowler, who served as a mentor to him – and encouraged him to attend Darden – after they served together in the late 1970s while Hugin was a young Marine officer. Like the Hugin Military Scholarship, this scholarship supports Darden students who are members or veterans of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) or U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.

  • John and Mary Kay Strangfeld Scholarship

    Established by John R. Strangfeld Jr. (MBA ’77), chair and CEO of Prudential Financial Inc., and his wife Mary Kay, to support Darden students with honorable U.S. military experience. Strangfeld served as a member of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees for 12 years, including two as chair, and in 2015 he was awarded the Charles C. Abbott Award – the highest honor Darden bestows on its alumni.

  • Gary T. And Elizabeth R. Jones Military Scholarship

    Established by Gary T. Jones (MBA ’74) and his wife Elizabeth to provide financial support to Darden MBA students who have honorably served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces. Jones is a professor of the practice in the Scheller School of Business at Georgia Tech. He served for nine years as a member of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees, and in 2014 he was awarded the Charles C. Abbott Award – the highest honor Darden bestows on its alumni.

  • Darden USMC Scholarship

    This scholarship was established in 2019 by Robert J. Hugin (MBA ’85), former chairman and CEO of Celgene Corporation, to support students who are members or veterans of the United States Marine Corps or U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Mr. Hugin is chair of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees and a USMC veteran.

  • Robert J. Hugin USMC Scholarship

    Established by Robert J. Hugin (MBA ’85), former chairman and CEO of Celgene Corporation, to support Darden students who are members or veterans of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) or U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Mr. Hugin is chair of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees and a USMC veteran.

  • Utt Family Scholarship

    This fund was established in 2016 by William P. Utt (MBA ’84) for the purpose of providing scholarships for Darden students who have demonstrated leadership capabilities, preferably in the areas of athletic or military service.

  • Class of 1970 Scholarship

    This scholarship was established by the Class of 1970 at its fifteenth reunion in recognition of Everard Meade, a retired Darden School lecturer. The endowment provides scholarships to students with a history of military service.

  • O'Neill Marine Scholarship

    This fund was established in 2017 by Michael E. O'Neill (MBA ’74), an alumnus of the Darden School and trustee of the Darden School Foundation. The fund supports scholarships for First Year students in the School's residential MBA program who are members or veterans of the United States Marine Corps or US Marine Corps Reserves.

  • A. Hazen and Sarah M. Burnet Military Scholarship

    This scholarship was established in 2018 by A. Hazen Burnet (MBA ’69) and Sarah M. Burnet to support students in the residential MBA program who are former or current active duty United States military, reserve United States military, honorably discharged United States military or retired United States military members. A. Hazen Burnet is the CEO and Principal Consultant at AV Consulting.

  • Darden Military Scholarship

    Established through the collective support of generous Darden alumni, this scholarship provides financial support for military veterans and those in active duty who are MBA students at Darden in any program format. Both students who enter Darden after their first tour of duty as well as those who have completed extended tours of duty (and automatically qualify for veteran educational benefits) are eligible.

  • Yellow Ribbon Scholarship

    Yellow Ribbon was designed to benefit veterans who are MBA students at the Darden School. The Yellow Ribbon program became effective in August 2009 with benefits designed to help to bridge the gap between the GI Bill tuition allowance and actual tuition.