The return obligation is contractual, so the exact answer depends on the sponsorship agreement you sign. Common structures require you to return for a defined period and repay some or all of the sponsorship if you leave before completing it.

Before accepting, read the terms around tuition, fees, living support, taxes, repayment, and the required service period. The MBA sponsorship guide explains the main tradeoffs.

Do not rely on what happened to someone in another office or class year. Even small wording differences can materially change the financial consequence of leaving early.

If you are genuinely unsure whether you want to return to consulting, price that flexibility into the decision before taking the sponsorship.

Mine was prorated after returning, but I would absolutely check your own agreement.

This is one of those times where Reddit answers should not replace reading the contract.