Welcome to the LIFE Club at the Fuqua School of Business! We’re thrilled that you’re considering business school, and we’re here to support low-income and/or first-generation students like you on this journey. Our mission is to enhance the LIFE community at Fuqua by addressing the unique challenges you may face—emotional and social—as you pursue your MBA.
The members of the LIFE Club are here to help! We offer resources such as resume and essay reviews, mock interviews, and opportunities to connect with current students from the LIFE Club or any other affinity, diversity, or professional club. Please explore our website, and don’t hesitate to reach out through our contact page for any support or information you may need. We’re excited to help you every step of the way!
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific resources does Fuqua offer for low-income and first-generation students during the application process?
The main resource will be connecting with the affinity, diversity, or professional clubs at Fuqua. Fuqua offers admission talks on Thursdays, where you can hear from students about their experiences. You can ask any questions you like or simply listen to what others ask. Additionally, you can visit Fuqua and attend a class to experience the Team Fuqua spirit and gain a sense of the academic environment. Please find more information at the following link: Fuqua Events.
And, as mentioned earlier, we also provide resources such as resume and essay reviews, mock interviews, and opportunities to connect with current students from the LIFE Club or any other affinity, diversity, or professional club.
Are there scholarships or financial aid options available specifically for low-income and/or first-gen students? How can I apply for them?
All applicants to Fuqua are automatically considered for merit scholarship awards; no additional essays or applications are required. If you meet the criteria for The Consortium, Fuqua is a member, and you may be eligible for financial support. The application process differs from the regular process and requires additional essays. You can find more information here: The Consortium.
How are the Fuqua Merit scholarships determined?
Merit scholarship recipients are selected by an Admissions Merit Scholarship Committee. These scholarships are awarded based on a candidate’s overall profile, including prior academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, community involvement, extracurricular activities, and professional accomplishments. These awards are for the duration of the degree program and range from partial to full tuition. You can find more information on the official website: Fuqua Merit Scholarships.
How big is the LIFE community?
We are excited to share that the LIFE Club has around 110 members this year. Our club is diverse, with members from various backgrounds, races, nationalities, and ethnicities. We also welcome allies who want to support our members in excelling during their MBA and future careers. The 2026 class is the first to self-disclose their education status (first-gen), and 18% of the class identified as first-gen. For more information about the 2026 class profile, please visit Class Profile.
How does the LIFE Club foster a sense of community among low-income and first-generation students at Fuqua?
All clubs at Fuqua are student-led. This year, the LIFE Cabinet identified key focus areas, including community building and developing skills to address the unique challenges faced by LIFE members. To foster community, we have hosted events such as a welcome lunch, an American football class, and we will have a Thanksgiving dinner in November. Our learning workshops have included a personal branding seminar, career talks with LIFE alumni from various industries, and upcoming seminars on negotiations and the Big Ideas and Creating New Realities Seminar. Please find more information in our Events and Programming tab: Events and Programming. We are intentional with our events since students are part of many different clubs, and we want to provide them with the opportunity to experience and network with other groups. Ultimately, we are here to explore, learn, and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
What other resources do LIFE members have?
Fuqua has a well-structured network of support for all students. We have the Career Management Center (CMC), COLE Fellows, TAs, career fellows, professional clubs, affinity clubs, diversity clubs, fun clubs ( ), Counseling, and Psychological Services (CAPS), professors, the Daytime MBA Office of Student Life (OSL; OSL), the registrar’s office, second-year students, and more. You will have access to all these resources as a Fuqua student.
Check out LIFE’s installment of Blue Table Talk hosted by Shari Hubert, Associate Dean of Admissions, to discuss Fuqua’s first-generation student community and hear about their experiences of breaking barriers and leading change for the future.
Becca Grimesey (SY Cabinet) interviewed with Poets and Quants. She talked about her experience as a LIFE student and veteran at Fuqua.