Hunter College offers 150+ scholarships, of which 20+ are accessible to Indian applicants. Most institutional awards sit between USD 1,000 and USD 2,750, so Indian students routinely stack two or three departmental awards with one external fellowship. The largest single lever is Fulbright-Nehru or Inlaks, which can cover full tuition plus stipend and travel.
- Standard non-resident UG tuition: USD 17,295 per year (INR 16.59 Lakhs)
- Standard non-resident PG tuition: USD 25,650 per year (INR 24.60 Lakhs)
- With one Hunter merit scholarship: net cost drops by USD 1,000 to USD 2,750 (INR 0.96 to 2.64 Lakhs off)
- Next hard deadline: September 30, 2026 (institutional AcademicWorks cycle)
Currency Note: All INR conversions use the live rate of 1 USD = INR 95.9 as of August 2026. "Non-resident tuition" is the international rate; "in-state" is the lower rate reserved for New York residents, which Indian students never qualify for.
Table of Contents
Hunter College Scholarships for UG Students
| Scholarship | Amount (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline (2026 cycle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship | USD 1,000 / INR 0.96 Lakhs | Merit-based, full-time undergraduate | September 30, 2026 |
| Dr. Patricia E. Kasmarik Scholarship | Full-year tuition (up to INR 16.59 Lakhs) | One undergraduate, high academic merit | September 30, 2026 |
| Doris Kennedy Education Foundation | Up to USD 2,750 / INR 2.64 Lakhs | Full-time undergraduates | September 30, 2026 |
| Barbara Reed Earnest Scholarship | Up to USD 2,750 / INR 2.64 Lakhs | Two undergraduates, need plus merit | September 30, 2026 |
| Anne Cramnik Venit ’29 Scholarship | Up to USD 2,750 / INR 2.64 Lakhs | Undergraduates in named fields | September 30, 2026 |
| Estrellita Brodsky Scholarship | USD 1,000 to USD 10,000 / INR 0.96 to 9.59 Lakhs | Latin American studies focus | September 30, 2026 |
| Ellen Lloyd Gallagher Nursing Scholarship | Up to USD 2,750 / INR 2.64 Lakhs | Nursing majors | September 30, 2026 |
| Class of 1944 Scholarship | Varies | Thomas Hunter Honors Program students | September 30, 2026 |
| General Scholarship Fund | Varies | All enrolled Hunter undergraduates | September 30, 2026 |
Undergraduate awards at Hunter College are distributed through the AcademicWorks portal, which opens each August and closes September 30 annually. Indian applicants complete one general application and are matched to individual named awards based on major, GPA and donor conditions. The Hunter College UG admission timeline means most Fall 2026 admits will apply in the following cycle.
Most named awards cap at USD 2,750, so a realistic UG stack combines two of these plus one departmental waiver. The exception is the Dr. Patricia E. Kasmarik Scholarship, which covers one full year of tuition and goes to a single undergraduate per cycle. Indian applicants should filter AcademicWorks for "does not require FAFSA" before applying to any award.
Reddit Insight: Indian undergraduates at Hunter typically leave the AcademicWorks portal with two or three sub-USD 2,750 awards rather than one large scholarship. Donor restrictions cap most named awards at that ceiling.
Hunter College Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
| Scholarship | Amount (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline (2026 cycle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esther Fish Perry Scholarship | Varies | Master’s degree candidates | September 30, 2026 |
| Anne W. Cohen Scholarship | Varies | Both undergraduate and graduate students | September 30, 2026 |
| Esther Hoffman Graduate Music Scholarship | Varies | Graduate music students | September 30, 2026 |
| Francesco G. Pagano Fund | Varies | Italian graduate studies | September 30, 2026 |
| Bernard J. Wohl Family Scholarship | Varies | Silberman MSW students | September 30, 2026 |
| Music Department MA Scholarship | Covers in-state tuition (approx INR 10.93 Lakhs) | Outstanding MA in Music applicants | Rolling with admission decision |
| Graduate Student Travel Award | Up to USD 500 / INR 0.48 Lakhs | Graduate conference travel | Rolling; tentative April 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 |
| FINCAID Women in Finance Scholarship | USD 20,000 / INR 19.18 Lakhs | Women in Master’s-level finance programs | Tentative July 31, 2026 (annual cycle) |
Hunter College is a master’s-first institution, and its PG scholarship pool skews toward department-controlled awards rather than centralized merit funding. The Music Department’s tuition scholarship for its MA program is the single most impactful institutional award. It eliminates the non-resident tuition premium and reduces cost to the in-state rate.
The Hunter College graduate programs list details department-level funding on each program page. Silberman School of Social Work runs its own Wohl and Amy Watkins scholarships that Indian MSW applicants can compete for after admission.
For MSc, MA and MFA candidates outside these two departments, expect institutional aid in the USD 1,000 to USD 2,750 range. Plan external funding accordingly.
Reddit Insight: Indian Master’s applicants who cover Hunter’s non-resident tuition typically pair one departmental award with an external Inlaks or Fulbright fellowship. Stacking general Hunter awards alone rarely closes the USD 25,650 tuition gap.
India-Specific Scholarships at Hunter College
Hunter College does not run a named India-country scholarship, so Indian applicants combine third-party India-focused awards with Hunter institutional funding. The awards below are the ones commonly stacked with a Hunter admission offer.
| Scholarship | Amount (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline (2026 cycle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship | Varies | Undergraduate students of Indian origin | Tentative March 15, 2026 (annual cycle) |
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Varies | Master’s students, merit-based, Indian citizens | Tentative June 30, 2026 (annual cycle) |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | Up to USD 100,000 / INR 95.90 Lakhs | Indian citizens, Master’s or PhD, 65 to 70 percent minimum | April 12, 2026 (annual cycle) |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | 50 percent grant, 50 percent loan | Master’s, Indian citizens from underserved regions | March 31, 2026 (annual cycle) |
| KC Mahindra Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad | Up to INR 10 Lakhs | Indian citizens, Master’s abroad | Tentative March 31, 2026 (annual cycle) |
| JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | INR 1 Lakh to INR 10 Lakhs | Indian citizens under 45, any graduate degree | Tentative April 15, 2026 (annual cycle) |
The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship is the highest-ceiling award available to Indian applicants at Hunter College. It requires a written admission offer at the time of application, so plan the Hunter application at least eight months ahead of the Inlaks cycle.
The Aga Khan Foundation award funds half as grant and half as interest-free loan. This structure suits MSW and public health applicants who need immediate cash flow.
Hunter College PhD Scholarships
Hunter College hosts doctoral programs jointly with The CUNY Graduate Center in Manhattan, which runs the funding. PhD scholarships and stipends for Indian applicants therefore route through CUNY Graduate Center admission, not the Hunter AcademicWorks portal.
| Award | Amount (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline (2026 cycle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Graduate Center Fellowship | USD 26,000 to USD 35,000 stipend plus full tuition plus health (INR 24.93 to 33.57 Lakhs) | All admitted PhD candidates, five-year funding | December 1, 2026 (Fall 2027 intake) |
| Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship | USD 5,000 stipend plus summer research stipend (INR 4.80 Lakhs) | Hunter UG heading to humanities or social sciences PhD; verify citizenship terms | Tentative February 15, 2026 (annual cycle) |
| Graduate Teaching Fellowship | Tuition waiver plus stipend (approx INR 20 to 30 Lakhs total per year) | Assigned within PhD programs at CUNY Graduate Center | Bundled with PhD admission |
| Yalow Honors Scholar Program | Research stipend and mentored lab placement | Undergraduates in sciences and medicine at Hunter | Tentative March 15, 2026 (annual cycle) |
Indian PhD applicants should treat the CUNY Graduate Center five-year package as the baseline funding target. The package normally covers full tuition plus a stipend that lands between USD 26,000 and USD 35,000 depending on program and teaching load. Read the Hunter College ranking silo to gauge subject strength before applying.
PhD subjects at Hunter that route through the CUNY Graduate Center include:
- Biology, Biochemistry and Chemistry
- Psychology and Educational Psychology
- Sociology, Political Science and Anthropology
- English, History and Philosophy
The Mellon Mays Fellowship at Hunter is a pipeline award, not a study grant. It supports current Hunter undergraduates who are entering a PhD in humanities or social sciences. Indian applicants should confirm citizenship or residency terms with the MMUF program office before applying.
External Government Scholarships for Hunter College Aspirants
| Scholarship | Amount (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline (2026 cycle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship | Full tuition plus monthly stipend plus return airfare plus J-1 visa (approx INR 30 to 60 Lakhs) | Indian citizens, minimum 55 percent in bachelor’s, three years work experience | May 14, 2026 (2027-28 cycle) |
| Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship | Monthly stipend plus return airfare plus affiliation fees plus ASPE insurance (approx INR 15 to 25 Lakhs for 6 to 9 months) | Indian citizens registered for PhD in India, minimum 55 percent | July 1, 2026 (2027-28 cycle) |
| Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowship | Monthly stipend plus travel plus ASPE insurance (approx INR 20 to 35 Lakhs for 8 to 24 months) | Indian citizens with PhD awarded, faculty or postdoc | Tentative July 15, 2026 (2027-28 cycle) |
| Cotton USA Scholarship | USD 15,000 / INR 14.39 Lakhs | Indian citizens, textile programs | Tentative July 31, 2026 (annual cycle) |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Loan Scholarship | Interest-free loan up to INR 20 Lakhs | Indian citizens under 30, PG abroad | Tentative April 30, 2026 (annual cycle) |
The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship is the single most valuable external award for an Indian applicant heading to Hunter College. It covers full non-resident tuition, which alone represents USD 25,650 (INR 24.60 Lakhs). The monthly living stipend meaningfully offsets New York rent.
Indian PhD applicants at Hunter should apply for the CUNY Graduate Center package first. Layer the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship on top for a specific research year. This combination is legal because the doctoral fellowship funds a research visit, not full enrollment.
Reddit Insight: Fulbright-Nehru applicants routinely fail on the three-year work experience clause even with strong academics. Mid-career Indian professionals see the highest hit rate at Hunter College.
Explore More: Hunter College Overview | Hunter College Reviews
Hunter College Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the maximum funding stack an Indian student can assemble at Hunter College?
Ans. The realistic ceiling is Fulbright-Nehru (full tuition plus stipend, roughly INR 45 Lakhs a year) plus one Hunter departmental award of USD 1,000 to USD 2,750. Inlaks Shivdasani can substitute for Fulbright and pushes the ceiling to USD 100,000 (INR 95.90 Lakhs) over the degree. Two named Hunter awards can be held together, so a Master’s admit can fund tuition entirely from external plus institutional sources.
Ques. When should Indian applicants apply for Hunter College scholarships?
Ans. The Hunter AcademicWorks institutional cycle closes September 30, 2026, so start the CUNY First login and general application in August of the enrolment year. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s for the 2027-28 intake closes May 14, 2026, and the Inlaks cycle closes April 12, 2026. Apply to external awards in the same admission cycle as Hunter, not after receiving admission, since offers arrive too late for most external deadlines.
Ques. How do Hunter College scholarship applications actually work?
Ans. Institutional scholarships route through hunter.academicworks.com, which requires a CUNY First login issued only after admission. Complete the general application once and the portal auto-matches you to individual named awards based on major, GPA and donor conditions. External awards like Fulbright and Inlaks run separate country-level portals with distinct essays, referees and interviews. None of these are tied to the Hunter application.
Ques. What academic threshold do Indian students need for Hunter College merit awards?
Ans. Most Hunter institutional awards require a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, which maps to roughly 65 percent in the Indian marking system. Fulbright-Nehru sets a minimum of 55 percent in the bachelor’s degree. Inlaks requires 65 percent for humanities and 70 percent for science programs. Competitive admits typically clear 75 percent because donor-restricted awards favour top-ranked applicants inside each eligibility pool.
Ques. What does the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship actually cover for a Hunter College Master’s student?
Ans. The award covers full non-resident tuition, currently USD 25,650 (INR 24.60 Lakhs). It also adds a monthly living stipend, return economy airfare, J-1 visa sponsorship and ASPE insurance. It is a fully funded route for two-year Master’s programs at Hunter. Indian applicants need at least three years of professional work experience and cannot use the award for a doctoral program.
Ques. Do Hunter College scholarships cover New York City living costs?
Ans. Hunter institutional awards target tuition offset, not rent. A USD 2,750 (INR 2.64 Lakhs) scholarship covers roughly two months of shared-room rent in Manhattan or Queens. Only external fellowships like Fulbright-Nehru, Inlaks and the CUNY Graduate Center PhD stipend include a monthly living component. Indian Master’s applicants without external funding should budget USD 18,000 to USD 24,000 per year (INR 17.26 to 23.02 Lakhs). That covers rent, transit and food in the Hunter catchment.
Scholarships offered
QS Connect Master’s Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $5,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: 1
BL Mandhana Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $10,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1
Go Clean Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $3,500
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1
Business Administration Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: No
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Novus Biological Scholarship Program
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $1,500
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Associate
- Number of Scholarships: 1
Washington DC Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
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3 Reviews Found
I applied to hunter college when I was a senior in high school because it had a good reputation for a CUNY school. CUNY schools in NYC are located in the city and cheaper than your traditional private college and it was the main reason I applied. the admission process was easy. I also applied to 4 other CUNY schools because you could apply to them under the same application with no additional application fee. I also applied to private schools and SUNY. I was accepted to 11/12 schools; denied for Columbia and waitlisted for NYU. when I applied I had a 1480 SAT 31 ACT and 93 GPA.
Scholarship
When I got into the school they offered me a position as a science research scholars. I had to fill out a form except that I agree with the terms of the scholarship and then I will maintain the necessary grade point average.
This college had the least amount of yearly tuition and is known for having a good pre-med program. I also wanted to go to a school that was within close proximity to where I live. I did not want to travel too far and the commute to this school is just right.
Scholarship
Yes, I filled out the FAFSA to receive financial aid and have also received both need-based and merit-based scholarships through both the school directly and CUNY.
Good English programs as well as teaching programs which I was at a time considering pursuing and it offered affordable tuition that my financial aid covered. It was an easily accessible and beautiful location in the city.
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