Sponsorship
Requirements and benefits of sponsorship
As a rigorous program for advanced working professionals, the Executive MBA Program requires significant commitment from students and their employers. To help position you for success, Kellogg requires you to obtain time sponsorship from your company for the duration of the program. Financial sponsorship is not required.
Whether you’re a student or an employer, here’s what you need to know before you begin the sponsorship process.
Time sponsorship
While the Executive MBA Program is specifically designed to meet the schedule of a busy executive, the average student is in class for two or more workdays per month. Time sponsorship is an agreement between an employee and employer that acknowledges and approves of this time commitment without the employee needing to use personal time off.
Where to start
Employees are required to secure time sponsorship from their employers as part of the application process. Time sponsorship must be documented in a sponsorship letter prepared on company letterhead and signed by someone at the organization with the authority to grant time off. See sample letters in the teal sidebar for inspiration.
While a Kellogg MBA is a worthwhile investment for an organization, we do not require financial sponsorship as part of the application process. However, if you wish to procure financial sponsorship from your employer, we recommend using our sponsorship templates as a good starting point.
Is sponsorship common?
Recent class data indicates that approximately one-fourth of all applicants are fully sponsored, with others partially or self-funded.
Making the case for financial support
Employer support plays a critical role in your success as a student in the EMBA Program. As a result, all applicants must obtain a sponsorship letter from their employer that approves of the program’s time commitment and confirms permission to attend class on designated dates. Financial sponsorship, however, is optional.
We encourage you to approach your company with a comprehensive proposal that makes a strong case for the value of the program and how it will impact your role and organization.
To help you get started, see our sponsorship proposal, which can be customized for your employer.
How to build a compelling proposal
Outline the ROI of an MBA
Be explicit: Cite specific goals and ensure that they align with your company’s objectives. Explain what skills you will acquire through the program and how you’ll apply them to your job. Show how your education will enable you to make a greater contribution to the company.
Explain why the program is right for you and your company
Think about the unique value proposition of a Kellogg MBA. Explain why it offers a distinct advantage over other MBA programs, professional development workshops and other types of training. Articulate Kellogg’s specific offerings and how they will benefit your company and support your professional growth.
Share your value
List your professional accomplishments and the meaningful contributions you’ve made to your company. Where applicable, use data to quantify your contributions. Demonstrate that you’re someone worth investing in.
Summarize the program’s requirements
Make sure that your employer understands that the Executive MBA Program requires regular time away from the office for two consecutive years. Explain that the program also involves occasional international travel. If you’re also asking for financial sponsorship, you will want to share the program’s tuition costs.
Give examples
Don’t just tell your employer about the program; show them what it’s about. Share descriptions of courses that you think will be particularly useful to you and relevant to the company. Use the Class Profile to illustrate the caliber of your classmates. Offer a list of companies that have sponsored a Kellogg MBA. Provide a sample schedule of classes.
Address any concerns upfront
Anticipate the questions or concerns that your supervisor(s) may have about the program and your participation in it. For example, will they question how your absence from the office will impact your coworkers or work quality? Propose a plan for how you will effectively manage your job responsibilities, mitigate potential conflicts, and minimize disruption for your colleagues while in the program.
Communicate your commitment to the company
Remember that, by asking for sponsorship, you’re asking your company to make a commitment to you. Consider how you can reciprocate that commitment. For example, you may want — or be asked — to agree in writing to remain with the company for a certain amount of time post-graduation.