College Scholarships Reward Student Entrepreneurship

The growth in entrepreneurship has done two things in academics: increased the number of schools offering business entrepreneurship as a viable study track, and expanded the volume of scholarships available to students pursuing careers as business entrepreneurs.

If your entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well then you’ll likely have no problem ferreting out the crop of very good scholarships aimed at helping tomorrow’s business entrepreneurs.

Most of the sources that offer business entrepreneur scholarships are private business and industry, professional organizations, and colleges and universities with strong business schools.

How To Find Entrepreneur Scholarships

Best Strategy: Focus on your educational and career goals, include your personal interests and your background; and consider the various business pathways you’d like to explore once out of college—tech, retail, offline, online, education, healthcare, sciences, ecommerce, etc. Make a list of these characteristics and interests. Use these as a blueprint to guide you to those scholarships most focused on your goals. Eliminate those awards that are less targeted to you—you’re much less likely to have a chance with these, so save your energy.

Private Sources for Entrepreneur Scholarships

Private businesses, enterprises, and professional associations were once founded by entrepreneurs. An increasing number of them, specifically those that specialize in venture start-ups and in various small business activities, sponsor scholarships for aspiring student entrepreneurs. Examples follow, but there are many more to check-out:

  • OdioWorks, a small start-up launched by a 17-year old student, sponsors an annual $500 scholarship for likeminded students.
  • The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) annually awards the popular, high-profile, and very competitive Young Entrepreneur Awards. Multiple $1,000 and $2,000 awards are handed out the deserving high school seniors. Winners must be highly motivated to be considered.
  • McKelvey Foundation Entrepreneurial Scholarships are awarded to over 100 students annually. Eligible candidates must eat, drink and sleep entrepreneurship. All must have launched viable businesses and all must have the goal of pursuing a college degree. Awards are up to $10,000 annually. Availability of funds may vary from year to year.

Business Entrepreneur Scholarships from Colleges and Universities

Without a doubt colleges and universities that feature schools of business are hot-beds for entrepreneurial networking, as well as scholarships funding. Don’t overlook the opportunities at smaller technical and community colleges. Here are opportunities for small business students to launch very viable start-ups. You’ll find a small but hearty crew of scholarships:

  • Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, offers the Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship program. Students in the Small Business Administration or Business Administration majors may consider this award.
  • The notable Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship at Iowa State University is ground-zero for a cadre of valuable scholarships. The competitive Pappajohn Scholarships are awarded annually to ISU students either already in business for themselves or with serious plans to launch a business. Awards are $1,000 each and open to undergraduate and graduate level students. Preference is given to ethnic minorities and women.

Check out business schools for entrepreneurship study tracks and the like.