Should you borrow to get an MBA?
If you’ve decided that an MBA is an important investment in your career, then your next step should be to determine how to finance your next two years of study. While many students rely on a combination of their own savings, help from family and other outside sources, other students have only to rely on the availability of grants, loans, and employment. If you’re a member of the latter group, don’t be discouraged. There are multiple resources that can help you overcome the financial challenges.
Grants
Start where the money is free. Grants, also called fellowships, fall into this category because they do not need to be repaid. A grant is awarded from the government, a foundation, or a trust and is typically given to an institution, a business, or an individual. The criteria for receiving a grant is not necessarily achievement based and can be more general in nature.
Employer Programs
A business degree makes you a valuable asset to your employer, which is why your company may be willing to finance your post-baccalaureate education. They may already have a tuition reimbursement program in place. If not, submit a proposal that highlights the benefits of investing in you and your future at the company. Interviewing for a new position? Consider using tuition reimbursement as a negotiating tool.
Student Loans
Student loans, the most popular education financing tools, fall into the opposite category because they require repayment. Federal student loans can be either subsidized or unsubsidized, which determines whether the government or the borrower is responsible for paying the interest while you’re in school, as well as the generosity and flexibility of the loan repayment terms.
Private loans designed to meet the needs of an MBA student can also be attractive options when it comes to supplementing other sources. In fact, if you have excellent credit, a private lender may be able to offer a more competitive interest rate and friendlier repayment terms. Most private lenders don’t charge application, disbursement or origination fees and you can refinance your loan if interest rates go down or your credit score increases.
While they may not be your first choice, don’t cross private loans of your list quite yet. They do have their advantages, especially when you combine them with other sources to create a flexible and smart financing package.