Struggling to fund a world-class education? Stanford University, ranked #6 globally, offers fully funded scholarships for international students in 2025. From need-based aid to prestigious merit awards, this guide covers everything you need to study at Stanford without financial stress.
Why Choose Stanford Scholarships?
Located in Silicon Valley, Stanford is a hub for innovation, offering top-tier programs and a vibrant campus. Scholarships make education accessible, covering tuition, living costs, and more, while connecting you to global leaders.
- Comprehensive funding: Up to full tuition and living expenses (~$80,000/year, ~£60,000).
- Elite education: Access cutting-edge research in AI, medicine, and more.
- Global network: Join 17,000+ students from 140+ countries (Stanford, 2025).
Scholarship Programs for 2025
Stanford offers need-based aid, merit-based scholarships, and external funding options for undergraduates and graduates. Here’s a breakdown:
Need-Based Financial Aid
- Eligibility: Open to all students, including international, with demonstrated financial need.
- Coverage: Full tuition, room, and board for families earning under $150,000 (~£115,000); partial aid for others.
- Application: CSS Profile for all; FAFSA for U.S. students. Deadline: November 15, 2025 (Early Action), January 5, 2026 (Regular Decision).
- Why Apply? Grants, not loans, ensure debt-free education (Stanford Financial Aid).
Merit-Based Scholarships
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program:
- Eligibility: Graduate students (Master’s, PhD, MBA, JD, MD) with leadership and academic excellence.
- Coverage: Full tuition, stipend (~$50,000/year, ~£38,000), travel allowance, leadership training.
- Deadline: October 9, 2025, for 2025 intake.
- Apply: Knight-Hennessy Scholars.
- Why Apply? Funds up to 3 years (6 for PhDs) and builds global leaders (100 scholars annually).
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship:
- Eligibility: Indian MBA applicants with financial need.
- Coverage: Up to $150,000 (~£115,000) for the MBA program.
- Deadline: May 2026 (TBD).
- Apply: Via Stanford Graduate School of Business application.
- Why Apply? Supports Indian students committed to returning to India post-MBA.
External Scholarships
Boost funding with:
- Fulbright Scholarships: For international graduate students, covering tuition and living costs (Fulbright Commission).
- Chevening Scholarships: For UK-based master’s students, applicable for joint programs.
- The Gates Scholarship: For minority undergrads (U.S.-focused but may apply to Stanford).
Programs and Courses
Stanford’s seven schools offer diverse programs for scholarship recipients:
- Undergraduate: Computer Science, Economics, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology, Earth Sciences.
- Graduate: MBA (Graduate School of Business), Medicine, Law, Education, Bioengineering, Data Science, International Policy.
- Why Study Here? Top-ranked programs (e.g., #1 in Computer Science, U.S. News, 2024) with interdisciplinary focus.
Eligibility Requirements
General and scholarship-specific criteria include:
- Undergraduate Admission: High school diploma, SAT/ACT (optional for 2025), essays, 2–3 recommendation letters.
- Graduate Admission: Bachelor’s degree, GRE/GMAT (varies by program), statement of purpose, 2–3 recommendation letters.
- Need-Based Aid: Financial documents (tax returns, bank statements via CSS Profile).
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars: Leadership experience, vision for global impact, bachelor’s degree from 2018 or later.
- Reliance Dhirubhai: Indian citizenship, commitment to return to India.
- International Students: TOEFL (100+ iBT) or IELTS (7.0+), valid F-1/J-1 visa.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to secure a Stanford scholarship:
- Apply for Admission:
- Undergraduates: Submit the Common Application by November 1, 2025 (Restrictive Early Action) or January 5, 2026 (Regular Decision).
- Graduates: Apply via program-specific portals (e.g., Graduate School of Business).
- Complete Financial Aid Forms:
- U.S. Students: Submit FAFSA and CSS Profile by November 15, 2025 (Early Action) or February 15, 2026 (Regular Decision).
- International Students: Submit CSS Profile and financial documents (e.g., bank statements).
- Apply for Merit Scholarships:
- Knight-Hennessy: Separate application by October 9, 2025, including essays, resume, video story, and 2 recommendation letters (Application Details).
- Reliance Dhirubhai: Apply through MBA application, indicating financial need.
- Submit Supporting Documents: Transcripts, recommendation letters, essays, TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable).
- Track Application: Use Stanford’s applicant portal for updates.
Tips to Boost Your Chances
Stand out with these strategies:
- Show leadership: Highlight initiatives, like starting a community project or leading a student organization.
- Craft a compelling essay: Share a personal story, e.g., overcoming challenges to pursue data science at Stanford.
- Apply early: Meet early deadlines (October/November 2025) for competitive awards.
- Secure strong references: Choose mentors who can detail your academic and leadership impact.
- Budget for tests: Plan ~$200 USD for TOEFL/IELTS if needed.
Why It’s Worth It
Stanford’s scholarships can save you over $300,000 (~£230,000) over 4 years for undergrads or $150,000 (~£115,000) for graduate programs, covering tuition ($60,000/year) and living costs. You’ll study in Silicon Valley, network with innovators, and gain skills for global careers (85% of Knight-Hennessy scholars secure high-impact roles, Knight-Hennessy, 2024). Start your application at Stanford’s Financial Aid Office or Knight-Hennessy Scholars today!