A strong profile can absolutely win an MBA scholarship without GMAT or GRE, but schools will expect proof that you're ready for the program in other ways. Some schools like Kellogg, NYU Stern, and Michigan Ross have awarded scholarships to applicants who submitted strong waiver requests backed by their academics and work record.
Real example—an Indian applicant with 6 years at McKinsey and a CFA Level 1 cleared got into Michigan Ross with a GMAT waiver and received partial funding through a merit scholarship. He applied in Round 1 and highlighted leadership impact in his essays, which helped strengthen the case.
Programs that offer test waivers usually increase the weight of interviews, undergrad GPA, and career progression. For someone with a solid academic record, top-tier work experience, or a professional credential like CPA or CFA, it’s possible to offset the missing test score.
So yes, scholarships without GMAT or GRE are real, but the rest of your application needs to be top-tier to make it work.
