Stanford offers scholarships that can provide up to 100% financial aid, significantly reducing tuition fees.
...Read More
Stanford University offers 25+ scholarships, with 15+ options accessible to Indian students, covering UG, Master’s, MBA and PhD programmes. With tuition reaching USD 67,731 (INR 59.27 Lakhs) for UG, scholarships can make a major difference to the total cost. The next key deadline is October 8, 2026, for the Knight Hennessy Scholars programme, so knowing the right scholarship and deadline early can help you plan better.
- Standard UG tuition 2026-27: USD 67,731 (INR 59.27 Lakhs), frozen at 2025-26 levels per Stanford Board decision.
- UG with full need-based aid: families earning under USD 100,000 (INR 87.50 Lakhs) pay zero tuition.
- Knight-Hennessy Scholarship stacks full tuition waiver with a USD 90,000 (INR 78.75 Lakhs) annual package.
- Next major deadline: Knight-Hennessy Scholars October 8, 2026 (tentative, annual cycle).
Currency Note: All INR conversions use the live rate of 1 USD = INR 87.50 as of August 2026. Amounts over INR 1 Lakh appear in Lakhs (1 Lakh = INR 100,000).
Explore: Stanford University Programs and Fees
Table of Contents
Stanford University Scholarships for UG Students
Stanford operates need-aware admission for international undergraduates. Your financial-aid request influences the admission decision itself.Once admitted with aid, Indian students receive institutional funding that meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.
| Scholarship | Value (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need-Based Financial Aid (International) | Up to full COA USD 92,748 (INR 81.15 Lakhs) | Admitted international UG; must request aid with initial application | Regular Decision January 5, 2027 (tentative) |
| Family Income Under USD 100,000 | Full tuition waived (INR 59.27 Lakhs) | Family income below USD 100,000 (INR 87.50 Lakhs) with typical assets | With admission application |
| Family Income Under USD 150,000 | Zero room and board (INR 20.08 Lakhs) | Family income below USD 150,000 (INR 131.25 Lakhs) | With admission application |
| Athletic Scholarships | Partial to full COA per NCAA rules | Recruited athletes across 36 varsity sports | Rolling with athletic recruitment cycle |
Failure to request aid in the initial application permanently forfeits institutional aid for the entire UG period. Indian applicants submit the CSS Profile plus the Common Application financial aid section together.
Explore More: Stanford University Admissions
Stanford University Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
Master’s aid at Stanford is limited and highly competitive. Most PG funding flows through Knight-Hennessy Scholars, department TA/RA offers, and program-specific fellowships.
| Scholarship | Value (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knight-Hennessy Scholars | Full tuition + USD 90,000 (INR 78.75 Lakhs) annual package | Any Stanford grad program; under 8 years post-bachelor’s; leadership record | October 8, 2026 (tentative, annual cycle) |
| Stanford Graduate Fellowship (SGF) | Full tuition + USD 45,000 (INR 39.38 Lakhs) stipend | Master’s and PhD in Engineering, Sciences, Humanities; department-nominated | Nominated with department admission decision |
| Department TA / RA | USD 40,000 to USD 55,000 (INR 35 to 48.13 Lakhs) annual | Enrolled STEM grad students with faculty backing | Rolling; usually second quarter onward |
| Stanford GSB Fellowship | USD 40,000 average (INR 35 Lakhs); some cover full tuition | Admitted MBA candidates; need-based | With MBA application rounds |
| MS&E Departmental Fellowships | Partial to full tuition | Admitted Management Science and Engineering candidates | With MS&E application deadline |
Reddit Insight: Indian Knight-Hennessy scholars posting on r/gradadmissions report that GRE scores rarely fall below 328 quantitative, though the program officially publishes no cut-off.
MBA candidates at Stanford GSB face a USD 140,940 (INR 123.32 Lakhs) total cost of attendance per year. GSB Fellowship offers reduce this by USD 20,000 to full tuition based on assessed need.
Explore More: Stanford University Accommodation Cost | Stanford University Overview
India-Specific Scholarships at Stanford University
The Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship is the single named institutional award at Stanford targeting Indian citizens exclusively. Departmental discretionary funding forms the secondary layer for Indian PG admits.
| Scholarship | Value (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship | Up to USD 105,000 (INR 91.88 Lakhs); covers tuition and fees | Indian citizens admitted to Stanford GSB MBA; 5 fellowships per year | With GSB Round 1 September 2026 or Round 2 January 2027 |
| Departmental Discretionary Awards | Partial tuition support; typically USD 5,000 to USD 20,000 (INR 4.38 to 17.50 Lakhs) | Indian PG admits nominated by department; case-by-case | With PG admission decision (March 2027 tentative) |
The Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship is the largest India-specific award at Stanford. It funds five Indian MBA candidates every year with a two-year post-MBA return-to-India employment commitment.
Reddit Insight: Indian GSB admits on r/MBA note that Reliance Dhirubhai recipients typically have 6+ years of India-focused work experience. Top GMAT scores alone are not enough.
Explore More: Stanford University Rankings
Stanford University PhD Scholarships
Stanford funds nearly 100% of admitted PhD candidates across all departments. Standard funding combines tuition waiver, stipend, and Cardinal Care insurance for the 5-year duration.
| Scholarship | Value (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Stanford PhD Funding Package | Full tuition + USD 45,000 to USD 55,000 stipend (INR 39.38 to 48.13 Lakhs) + Cardinal Care insurance | All admitted PhD candidates for standard duration | With PhD admission (December 2026 deadline typical) |
| Knight-Hennessy Scholars (PhD Track) | Full tuition + USD 90,000 (INR 78.75 Lakhs) annual package | All PhD programs; separate parallel application required | October 8, 2026 (tentative) |
| Stanford Graduate Fellowship (SGF) | 3-year funding; USD 45,000+ stipend | Nominated PhD candidates in select departments | Department-nominated with admission |
| DARE Doctoral Fellowship | Full tuition + stipend | PhD candidates advancing academic diversity | Departmental nomination cycle |
| NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (external) | USD 37,000 stipend + USD 16,000 tuition (INR 46.38 Lakhs total) | US citizens or permanent residents only; not open to Indian nationals directly | Tentative October 2026 for 2027 cohort |
Indian PhD applicants stack Knight-Hennessy with their department funding. This effectively raises the annual stipend from USD 45,000 to USD 90,000 for the first 3 years.
Explore More: PhD in USA Guide
External Government Scholarships for Stanford University Admits
Indian nationals can layer external scholarships on top of Stanford institutional funding. The six most relevant awards for Stanford admits appear below.
| Scholarship | Value (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship | Full tuition + stipend + travel (approx USD 60,000 / INR 52.50 Lakhs) | Indian citizens with 3+ years work experience; Master’s only | Tentative May 15, 2026 for 2027 intake cycle |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship | Up to USD 100,000 (INR 87.50 Lakhs) | Indian nationals under 30; PG at Stanford after Inlaks selection | Tentative April 15, 2027 for 2027-28 intake |
| J.N. Tata Endowment | Up to INR 10 Lakhs loan-scholarship + travel gift | Indian citizens; PG or PhD abroad | Tentative March 27, 2027 |
| KC Mahindra Post-Graduate Scholarship | Up to INR 10 Lakhs interest-free loan | Indian citizens with confirmed Stanford admission letter | Tentative March 31, 2027 |
| Aga Khan Foundation ISP | Full tuition + stipend (50% grant + 50% loan) | Indian nationals with demonstrated financial need; PG at Stanford | Tentative January 31, 2027 |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship | Interest-free loan up to INR 20 Lakhs | Indian nationals under 30; Master’s abroad | Tentative March 2027 |
Stacking rules Indian applicants should know:
- Fulbright-Nehru requires exclusive funding; cannot combine directly with Stanford tuition waivers.
- Inlaks allows stacking with departmental TA or RA funding at Stanford.
- J.N. Tata Endowment is a loan-scholarship, stackable with any Stanford aid offer.
- KC Mahindra disburses only after Stanford admission letter is submitted.
Reddit Insight: Indian Stanford admits on r/gradadmissions confirm that stacking Inlaks with a departmental TA at Stanford is allowed and commonly practised.Government of India offers no direct central scholarship for Stanford admits. State-level schemes like Karnataka Overseas Scholarship or Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Scholarship apply for admits from qualifying communities.
Explore More: Scholarships in USA
Stanford University Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the maximum scholarship funding an Indian student can stack at Stanford?
Ans. An Indian PhD admit stacks Knight-Hennessy Scholars with a Departmental Fellowship. This combination yields USD 90,000 (INR 78.75 Lakhs) per year covering tuition, stipend, and research funds. GSB MBA admits from India combine the Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship with a partial GSB Fellowship. Together these cover the USD 140,940 (INR 123.32 Lakhs) yearly cost of attendance for both years.
Ques. When should Indian students apply for Stanford scholarships for the 2027 intake?
Ans. Knight-Hennessy Scholars closes October 8, 2026 (tentative). UG financial aid applications submit with the Regular Decision deadline of January 5, 2027 (tentative). MBA GSB Round 1 with fellowship consideration closes September 2026 and Round 2 in January 2027. Missing the initial-application aid request permanently forfeits institutional aid at UG level.
Ques. How does an Indian applicant apply for Stanford scholarships?
Ans. Most Stanford aid is automatic with admission for graduate students. Knight-Hennessy Scholars requires a separate parallel application at knight-hennessy.stanford.edu. UG applicants submit the CSS Profile plus Common Application financial aid section by the admission deadline. India-specific awards like Reliance Dhirubhai are indicated on the GSB application form itself.
Ques. What GPA or test score does Stanford require for scholarship consideration?
Ans. Stanford publishes no scholarship-specific cut-off. Admitted Indian students typically hold 3.9+ GPA (equivalent to first-class with 85%+) and GRE 325+ for graduate programs. MBA admits show GMAT 730+ with IELTS 7.5 or TOEFL 105+. Knight-Hennessy applicants pass a separate review round beyond department admission.
Ques. What does the Knight-Hennessy Scholars programme cover at Stanford?
Ans. Knight-Hennessy funds full tuition, required fees, and USD 45,000 (INR 39.38 Lakhs) living stipend. It adds USD 8,000 (INR 7 Lakhs) academic enrichment plus one economy travel allowance annually. The total package reaches roughly USD 90,000 (INR 78.75 Lakhs) per scholar per year for up to 3 years. Over 100 scholars join each cohort from 70+ nations.
Ques. Do Stanford scholarships cover living costs and rent in Palo Alto?
Ans. Yes for PhD and Knight-Hennessy scholars. The Stanford PhD stipend of USD 45,000 to USD 55,000 (INR 39.38 to 48.13 Lakhs) is set against Palo Alto living costs of approximately USD 25,000 (INR 21.88 Lakhs) per academic year. Master’s students receiving only GSB or TA support may need off-campus housing in Redwood City or Mountain View to stretch stipends.
Ques. Is the Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship worth choosing over other Stanford GSB aid?
Ans. Yes for Indian MBA admits without US work-authorisation plans. Reliance Dhirubhai covers up to USD 105,000 (INR 91.88 Lakhs) but requires the recipient to return to India for at least 2 years post-MBA. Indian candidates planning US-based careers may prefer merit-based GSB Fellowships with no return obligation attached.
Get up to 80% off on Application & Visa Fees
Stanford University Scholarships: Students' Opinion
AI-Generated Summary based on 4 Reviews
By Collegedunia’s Personal AI
Scholarships offered
Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: College-Specific
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Bharat Petroleum Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Comindware Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $4,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Apprenticeship
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Forktip Women’s- Innovation Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: College-Specific
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 10
FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $20,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $5,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 37
Show More
Reviews
Engineering (1)
Mechanical Engineering (1)
Sciences (1)
Most Popular Tags
Approach (1)
Course (1)
Curriculum (1)
Language (1)
Management (1)
Quarter (1)
School (1)
Stanford (1)
Tuition (1)
4 Reviews Found
Stanford University School of Engineering had a very good ranking for engineering. Also, compared to other colleges, the admission process was very straightforward and hence easier to complete. My overall experience at Stanford University is best. I like the academics and facilities provided to the students and the International Student Department is very helpful and understanding.
0 0
Scholarship
Yeah I did receive a scholarship from Stanford where I had a huge discount on my fees they asked me to introduce myself on a paper and I did.
As we all know Stanford comes in the top 10 colleges for education. I took Stanford because they were offering the program in which I want to do my career. Also, the fact that it is one of the best universities in the world was a major yes.
0 0
Scholarship
100% financial aid.
Stanford is fantastic for aspiring entrepreneurs and allows me to explore a variety of disciplines while mingling with peers who rank among the most hard-working and creative in the world that inspires me and helps me grow.
0 0
It was close in proximity to my home, has great academics and faculty, chill atmosphere/vibe, beautiful campus, lots of resources and opportunities, highly ranked University, students who go here are happy
0 0
Videos
interested in this College ?
Follow & Share this college to get information about admission.
Comments