When students think of graduate education, they often picture assistantships (teaching, research, or graduate assistant roles that reduce tuition) and fellowships (competitive awards that cover tuition or provide stipends). These are common in traditional graduate programs and even full-time MBAs. But what about online MBAs—do they offer the same opportunities?
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The answer is: rarely, but sometimes. Online MBA students usually keep working full-time, which changes how universities structure funding. Still, a mix of assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships does exist if you know where to look.
This guide explains what’s available in 2025, what to expect, and how to position yourself for competitive funding.
Table of Contents
- Assistantships vs. Fellowships: Key Differences
- Why Assistantships Are Rare in Online MBAs
- Do Any Online MBA Programs Offer Assistantships?
- Types of Fellowships Available for Online MBA Students
- Scholarship Opportunities vs. Fellowships
- How Competitive Are Fellowships in 2025?
- Eligibility Requirements You Should Know
- Strategies to Secure Funding as an Online MBA Student
- Alternatives to Assistantships & Fellowships
- Bottom Line: Are Funding Opportunities Realistic?
Assistantships vs. Fellowships: Key Differences
Table 1. Graduate Funding Basics
| Funding Type | How It Works | Typical Benefits | Common in Online MBAs? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistantship (TA) | Student teaches undergrad courses or supports professors | Tuition remission + stipend | Rare |
| Research Assistantship (RA) | Student assists faculty research | Tuition remission + stipend | Very rare |
| Graduate Assistantship (GA) | Support roles in admin/IT/advising | Tuition discount + pay | Occasional |
| Fellowship | Competitive award based on merit/diversity | Tuition aid, stipend, prestige | Sometimes |
| Scholarship | Need- or merit-based tuition reduction | Tuition discount | Common |
Key point: Scholarships are far more common in online MBAs than traditional assistantships or fellowships.
Why Assistantships Are Rare in Online MBAs
Assistantships are designed for full-time, on-campus students who are available to work 10–20 hours per week. Online MBAs differ:
- Students are usually working professionals studying part-time.
- Online programs emphasize career continuity rather than campus roles.
- Faculty-student engagement is more asynchronous, reducing demand for TAs or RAs.
- Universities often reserve assistantships for doctoral and full-time MBA students.
As a result, few online MBA students receive assistantships—though some exceptions exist in hybrid programs.
Do Any Online MBA Programs Offer Assistantships?
While rare, some online or hybrid MBAs allow graduate assistant (GA) roles, particularly at public universities. These typically involve virtual research support, IT assistance, or online tutoring.
Table 2. Examples of Assistantship-Friendly Online MBAs (2025)
| University | Program | Type of Assistantship | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida – Warrington | Online MBA | Graduate Assistantships (limited) | Students may support online learning systems |
| Indiana University – Kelley Direct | Online MBA | Research/GA roles | Occasionally available for strong candidates |
| Arizona State University – Carey | Online MBA | GA positions in online student services | Competitive |
| Hybrid Executive MBAs (various) | Hybrid format | Project-based RA work | Requires occasional campus visits |
Reality check: Even when offered, spots are extremely limited, and competition is fierce.
Types of Fellowships Available for Online MBA Students
Unlike assistantships, fellowships are more accessible. They are merit-based and awarded to top candidates, often with a focus on diversity, leadership, or industry expertise.
Table 3. Common Fellowship Types
| Fellowship Type | Typical Coverage | Who It Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Merit Fellowships | Partial tuition waiver | High-GPA, strong professional background |
| Diversity & Inclusion Fellowships | $5,000–$20,000 | Women, minorities, first-generation students |
| Corporate-Sponsored Fellowships | Partial/full tuition | Employees of sponsoring firms |
| Leadership Fellowships | Tuition discount + leadership training | Mid-career professionals with proven leadership |
| Industry Fellowships | Partial funding | Healthcare, tech, or nonprofit professionals |
Scholarship Opportunities vs. Fellowships
Some schools use the term “fellowship” interchangeably with scholarship.
- Scholarship: A straight tuition discount (need or merit).
- Fellowship: Often includes prestige, networking, or leadership components in addition to funding.
Example: UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA@UNC offers “Dean’s Fellows” with partial tuition awards plus leadership development.
How Competitive Are Fellowships in 2025?
Extremely. Fellowships in online MBAs are often reserved for the top 5–15% of applicants.
Table 4. Fellowship Competitiveness
| School Tier | Fellowship Availability | Acceptance Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Elite ($100K+ MBAs) | Yes, but very limited | <10% |
| Mid-Tier ($40K–$70K MBAs) | Moderate availability | 15–25% |
| Value Programs (<$35K) | Few fellowships; scholarships instead | Rare |
Eligibility Requirements You Should Know
Table 5. Common Fellowship Requirements
| Requirement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Strong undergraduate GPA | Academic excellence indicator |
| High GMAT/GRE (if required) | Demonstrates competitiveness |
| Significant work experience (5–10 yrs) | Proof of leadership potential |
| Essays & recommendations | Showcase leadership/impact |
| Commitment to service or diversity | Key for targeted fellowships |
Strategies to Secure Funding as an Online MBA Student
- Apply early – Fellowships often awarded in early rounds.
- Target diversity or industry-specific awards – If applicable, highlight this.
- Craft a compelling narrative – Show how you’ll use your MBA for broader impact.
- Leverage employer sponsorship – Combine with partial fellowship for bigger savings.
- Network with admissions – Express interest in fellowship opportunities during interviews.
Alternatives to Assistantships & Fellowships
If assistantships aren’t available, you still have options:
Table 6. Funding Alternatives
| Option | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Employer Sponsorship | Tuition reimbursement or partial coverage | Professionals in supportive firms |
| Merit/Need Scholarships | Tuition reduction, common in online MBAs | Strong academic/professional background |
| Loans (federal/private) | Covers full cost | Those without employer support |
| Payment Plans | Pay per term/course | Students needing flexibility |
| Professional Association Grants | Awards from industry groups (e.g., SHRM, HFMA) | Industry-focused professionals |
Bottom Line: Are Funding Opportunities Realistic?
- Assistantships: Rare for online MBAs, but possible in some hybrid or large public programs.
- Fellowships: Available, but highly competitive and often tied to merit, leadership, or diversity.
- Scholarships: The most common form of funding, offered widely across online MBAs.
For most students, the most realistic funding mix in 2025 will be:
👉 Partial scholarship + employer tuition support + loans or payment plan.
If you’re aiming for a fellowship, apply early, craft a strong leadership-focused application, and target programs that explicitly advertise awards for online students.
Top Online MBA Programs with Scholarships or Fellowships (2025 Snapshot)
Table: Online MBA Programs Offering Publicly Advertised Funding
| Institution / Program | Funding Type | Range / Amount | Eligibility Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the People (Tuition-Free MBA) | Full scholarship | Covers all tuition—only pay small per-course fees | Open globally; English proficiency required (Unfe) |
| Quantic School of Business | Full MBA Fellowships | Full tuition waived for select candidates | Highly competitive, app-based, strong academic/professional record (Unfe) |
| IE Business School (Online MBA) | Merit/Need-based scholarships up to 100% | Up to full tuition | High-achievers with leadership potential (Unfe) |
| Edinburgh Business School (Heriot-Watt University) | Regional full scholarships | Full tuition and materials (e.g., Commonwealth, African scholarships) | Applicants from eligible regions, especially developing countries (Unfe) |
| University of Illinois—iMBA (via Coursera) | Need-based & limited full scholarships | Varies (some full tuition offers) | Competitive, especially from developing regions (Unfe, Reddit) |
| Imperial College Business School (Global Online MBA) | Multiple regional scholarships | Up to 100% (e.g., Aziz Foundation); others around 40–50% | Regional, diversity-based, leadership-focused criteria (Study Abroad Nations, Reddit) |
| University of Southern California (Marshall School) | Merit-based scholarships | $5,000–$20,000 awards | Strong GPA, leadership, test scores matter (HelpToStudy.com) |
Insights from Current & Past Students
Reddit discussions shed light on scholarship realities:
- Illinois (iMBA via Coursera): “I believe Illinois (iMBA) offers some 70% scholarships.” (Reddit)
- Multiple Schools (Ohio State, UNC, Emory): “I got 25k at Indiana online, 15k UNC online, and 20k Emory online so yes” (Reddit)
- Regional Diversity Awards (Imperial): “Imperial College London offers substantial scholarship for their Global Online MBA. Up to 40-50% of the tuition for the most competitive scholarships” (Reddit)
These firsthand accounts help ground the numbers in real experience—but remember, such scholarships often vary year to year and depend heavily on competitiveness.