A diverse group of graduates in academic gowns throwing their caps in the air.

United States Fall 2026 intake: NYU Stern admits in rounds (typically autumn–spring) — earlier rounds generally see more scholarship funding available; check stern.nyu.edu

NYU Stern Merit Scholarship

NYU Stern School of Business is one of the world's leading business schools, in the heart of Manhattan, and a top destination for the full-time MBA and specialised Master's (e.g. MS in Finance, MS in Data Science adjacent programs). Stern awards merit-based scholarships to outstanding admitted students — including international applicants — typically as partial-to-substantial tuition reductions decided automatically from the admission application, with no separate scholarship form. The amount varies widely by candidate strength and program (from a few thousand dollars up to large multi-tens-of-thousands awards for exceptional MBA candidates), so treat this as a merit tuition award whose value depends on your profile. For Sri Lankan applicants, Stern is elite and highly competitive: a first-class Bachelor's from a recognised Sri Lankan university, strong GMAT/GRE, meaningful work experience (for the MBA), and clear leadership are the realistic baseline. Confirm current program-specific scholarship practice and deadlines on the NYU Stern admissions pages.

NYU Stern School of Business

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

Merit tuition award — varies by profile

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Programs

MBA & specialised Master's

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Application

Automatic with admission (no separate form)

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Outstanding Academic Profile

A first-class or near-first Bachelor's from a recognised Sri Lankan university, plus a strong GMAT/GRE score. Stern's median GMAT for the MBA sits around 730+, so competitive applicants aim high; specialised Master's have their own strong score expectations.

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Work Experience & Leadership (MBA)

For the full-time MBA, several years of strong professional experience and demonstrated leadership are expected. Specialised Master's may admit candidates with less experience but expect strong quantitative and analytical credentials.

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Compelling Application

Because scholarships are merit-based and automatic, the strength of your essays, recommendations, and interview directly affects the award. A clear, distinctive story and quantified impact matter as much as scores.

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English Proficiency

TOEFL/IELTS is required for applicants whose prior degree was not taught in English (the GMAT/GRE does not waive this). Sri Lankan applicants from English-medium degrees may request a waiver — confirm Stern's current policy for your program.

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Prepare tests and materials early

Sit the GMAT or GRE (and TOEFL/IELTS if required) well ahead, and prepare essays, recommendations, and your resume. Strong, early preparation supports both admission and scholarship.

Apply in an early round

Submit your Stern application in an earlier admissions round where possible — scholarship funds are typically more available before later rounds. Apply via the NYU Stern online portal.

Interview and automatic scholarship review

Shortlisted applicants interview (by invitation). Merit scholarships are decided automatically alongside the admission decision — no separate application is needed for most awards.

Accept and apply for the US student visa

Accept your offer and scholarship, receive your I-20 from NYU, pay the SEVIS fee, then apply for the F-1 visa at the US Embassy in Colombo, showing funding net of your scholarship.

Why NYU Stern?

Stern is a top-tier US business school embedded in New York's finance, tech, and media ecosystem, with exceptional recruiting access and a global brand. Its Manhattan location and strong finance and analytics reputation make it a flagship choice for ambitious Sri Lankan graduate-business applicants.