If you are interested in studying at a top university in the USA with a fully funded scholarship, read on. In this article, we will explain in detail the Stanford University Scholarship, its benefits, and the step-by-step application process.
Stanford University Scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year are fully funded scholarships available to international students. These scholarships are offered for Master’s and Ph.D. studies and cover full tuition fees, travel allowance, living allowance, and academic expenses.
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program is one of the best scholarship programs in the world, attracting the most promising future leaders from all disciplines and regions to Stanford University. Here, you will engage in multidisciplinary education, leadership development, and gain a global perspective. Stanford University, ranked #2 in the QS World Universities Ranking 2019, is offering 100 fully funded scholarships for international students to pursue degrees such as Masters, Ph.D., MS, MBA, MFA, MD, and JD.
We encourage applications to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars from citizens of all countries. This program aims to have a global impact, with scholars expected to come from around the world. The admission process is designed to help you understand yourself better, allow us to get to know you, and enable you to present your best case for admission, making the process a valuable experience.
Founded in 1885, Stanford University is a place for learning, discovery, innovation, expression, and discourse. Over the past 125+ years, Stanford has often led the way with new ideas and discoveries. The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Program is a magnet for talent, curating a multidisciplinary community of scholars, offering leadership development, and empowering students to create large-scale positive impacts in the world.
Stanford University Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Masters, PhD
- Institution(s): Stanford University
- Study in: USA
- Opportunity Focus Areas: Scholarships are available to pursue Graduate (PhD) degree program in arts, engineering, education, humanities, or social sciences to professional degrees in business, law, or medicine. Click here to find all the available programs.
- Program Period: The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program funds up to the first three years of your graduate education, and if your degree program exceeds three years, such as an MD or PhD. program, or a Stanford dual- or joint-degree program. Then your Stanford home department will fund the remainder of your education to the extent consistent with its standard funding commitment for that program.
- Deadline: October 2024 (For more details, click here) The application to join the 2025 cohort opens June 1, 2024
Scholarship Coverage
Stanford University Scholarships provide recipients with several valuable benefits. These include:
- Travel Stipend: Recipients receive a travel stipend to cover the cost of an economy-class ticket for one annual trip to and from Stanford.
- Living and Academic Expenses: A stipend is provided to cover living and academic expenses. This includes room and board, books, academic supplies, instructional materials, local transportation, and reasonable personal expenses.
- Tuition and Fees: A fellowship is applied directly to cover tuition and associated fees based on the standard enrollment level of the recipient’s department.
Additionally, Knight-Hennessy Scholars may apply for supplemental funds to support academic endeavors, such as conference travel. However, the program typically does not cover costs that the recipient’s home department at Stanford would pay for, such as subscriptions or lab equipment.
Also see Harvard University MBA Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria for the Stanford University Scholarships
To be eligible for Stanford University Scholarships, you must meet the following criteria:
- Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in English, as the language of instruction at Stanford is English.
- Eligible Countries: Candidates from all countries around the world can apply for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program.
- Educational Background: You must have received your first/bachelor’s degree in 2018 or later, and you are eligible to apply if you apply within four years and enroll within five years after earning your first/bachelor’s degree.
- Mental Sharpness: You should demonstrate mental sharpness by seeking out knowledge and new experiences, generating original ideas, making sense of ambiguous situations, and being able to hold a contrarian or dissenting point of view.
- Application Process: You must complete the entire application process for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, including any standardized tests required by your graduate degree program (such as GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.), and an English proficiency test if needed.
- Personal Qualities: You must possess ambition, driven by a desire for self-improvement and a willingness to take risks. You should be self-aware, resilient in the face of adversity, personally humble and kind, inclusive, respectful of differences, and helpful to others, with low ego.
- English Proficiency: Fluency in English (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) is required to study at Stanford. The minimum TOEFL score for most graduate programs at Stanford is 100iBT or 600PBT. The MBA Program also accepts the IELTS and PTE.
- Acceptance to Stanford Graduate Program: In addition to applying to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, you must apply to, be accepted by, and enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate degree program. Each incoming Knight-Hennessy Scholar must be a newly enrolling student in a Stanford graduate program, including, but not limited to, DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or PhD programs. Priority consideration is given to those who will spend at least two years studying at Stanford.
How To Apply for the Stanford University Scholarships
To apply for Stanford University Scholarships, follow these steps:
- Create an Account: Start by creating an account on the official website and begin your online application process.
- Complete Online Application: Fill out and submit the online application for admission. This includes providing personal and academic information. The university will ask for biographic and demographic details, as well as explanations of your activities and interests.
- Submit Required Documents:
- Provide an unofficial or self-reported transcript of your academic performance in college and, if applicable, graduate school.
- Submit a resume detailing your intellectual, personal, and professional background and accomplishments.
- Arrange for two recommendation letters.
- Write two essays addressing specific prompts.
- Respond to two short answer questions.
- Create a video story, which can be up to two minutes in duration.
- Prepare for an in-person assessment.
Note:
- All application materials must be submitted in English via the online application. Materials sent via email or postal mail will not be accepted.
- It is recommended to use a current version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for the application process.
For further guidance, you can refer to a PDF sample of the application for the autumn 2025 intake.
Website
To know more about the Stanford University Scholarships, please visit the official website below;
FAQs About the Stanford University Scholarships
What benefits do Stanford University Scholarships offer?
Stanford University Scholarships provide recipients with a travel stipend, living and academic expenses stipend, and fellowship to cover tuition and fees.
Who is eligible to apply for Stanford University Scholarships?
Eligibility criteria include proficiency in English, holding a first/bachelor’s degree received in 2018 or later, demonstrating mental sharpness, completing the application process, and being fluent in English.
Can I submit materials via email or postal mail?
No, all application materials must be submitted in English via the online application. Materials sent via email or postal mail will not be accepted.
What web browsers are recommended for the application process?
It is recommended to use a current version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for the application process.