Application Information
Harvard Business School Online – Credential of Readiness (CORe) – 2025 – NOW OPEN
Interested in a career in business? The Career Center is excited to support first-year and sophomore students who wish to pursue Harvard Business School Online’s Credential of Readiness (CORe). CORe consists of three courses—Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting —and a final exam.
The Career Center will cover the cost of a portion of these classes for students whose applications are approved. Before applying, please carefully read the table below.
| *Grant Eligible | Program Fee | Grant (Provided by HBS) – CLOSED | Funding from Career Center | Remaining Cost for Student to Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | $2,650 | $2,120 | $530 | $0 |
| No | $2,650 | $0 | $530 | $2,120 |
Eligibility for Career Center Funding
(This eligibility applies only to Career Center funding. Students who do not meet these criteria may still qualify for the HBS Online CORe program and may be eligible for HBS Online’s Income-Based Grant, but they will not receive funding from the Career Center.)
- Currently enrolled first-year or sophomore students
- GPA > 3.5
How to Apply
All interested students must complete a two-part application process in order to be considered for CORe funding from the Career Center:
- Part 1: Complete and submit your HBS Online CORe application (for the standard, non-credit June program) by April 28, 11:59 pm ET.
- Create a profile on the HBS Online platform.
- UPDATE (April 17, 2025): HBS Online has informed us that all grants have been awarded for the March 31 – April 28 grant application window.
If you are applying for the Income-Based Grant through HBS Online, your grant application must be received by April 28, 11:59 pm ET. (The Income-Based Grant for this application cycle opens March 31 and closes April 28. It is for participants who have never enrolled in an HBS Online program before.)For more information about the HBS Online’s Income-Based Grant, please go to https://online.hbs.edu/more-info/payment-financial-aid/#grants.
- If you are accepted into the HBS Online CORe program, (you will usually hear back within 2 weeks of submission), proceed to Part 2 of the application process.
- Do NOT complete payment and enrollment at this time if you are seeking funding from Lawrence University Career Center for your CORe courses.
- Part 2: Complete and submit Career Center CORe funding application by 11: 59 pm May 11.
- Email a screenshot or PDF of your acceptance into HBS Online CORe to Grace Kutney.
Next Steps After Applications are Submitted
- The Career Center will begin review of HBS Online CORe funding applications after May 11 and will make funding decisions no later than 5pm on May 13.
- If your funding application is approved, the Career Center will send you a Funding Offer Letter; sign and return the offer letter to the Career Center no later than May 16.
- Want to know what will be expected of funded students? See a sample CORe Funding Offer Letter (for reference only).
- After receiving your signed offer letter, the Career Center will disperse a maximum of $530 to your Lawrence student account.
- Complete payment and enrollment on HBS portal for the June 2025 CORe program by May 30. Retain a receipt of your payment.
- Send a copy of your payment receipt to Grace Kutney by email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I receive academic credit from Lawrence for these courses? No. However, you will be able to highlight CORe on your resume and CV, giving you a competitive advantage in future internship and job applications.
Am I graded in these courses? Participants will be eligible to earn either a grade of “Fail, Pass, Pass with Honors, or Pass with High Honors.”
What is the time commitment? In the standard versions of CORe—10-week and 12-week cohorts—you should be prepared to spend 12-15 hours per week. You should expect that some weeks will require more work than others. Read one Lawrentian’s experience with HBS Online CORe.
Do I have to be a specific major or have taken specific classes to apply? No. These classes are designed for students of ALL majors and can help you understand how to market an idea, understand the economics of whether an idea is feasible, and give you the necessary skills to execute your own plan for an idea or business.
I noticed that HBS Online offers CORe at other times of the year. Can I apply for a different session? Students of any class year and alumni are welcome to apply for the CORe programs offered at different times throughout the year, however, the Career Center only provides funding support to eligible students accepted into the summer (June start) session.
I don’t meet the Career Center’s funding criteria; may I still apply? Students who do not meet the Career Center’s funding criteria may still apply to HBS Online CORe but will be ineligible for the $530 funding from the Career Center. It is not necessary to submit the Career Center’s funding application.
If you have any questions or concerns please use Handshake to schedule an appointment with Grace Kutney in the Career Center.