If you’re aiming to study at a top university in the USA with a fully funded scholarship, this article is for you. We will thoroughly explain the Stanford University Scholarship, its benefits, and the step-by-step application process.
Stanford University Scholarships for 2025-2026 are fully funded and available to international students pursuing Masters and PhD degrees. These scholarships cover full tuition fees, travel allowance, living allowance, and academic expenses.
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program is one of the most prestigious scholarship programs globally. It aims to attract the most promising future leaders from all disciplines and regions to Stanford University. Here, scholars will benefit from a multidisciplinary education, leadership development, and a global perspective. Ranked #2 in the QS World Universities Ranking 2019 by Top Universities, Stanford University is offering 100 fully funded scholarships for international students to pursue Masters, Ph.D., MS, MBA, MFA, MD, and JD degrees.
Additionally, consider applying for the fully funded MEXT Scholarship, which does not require proficiency in Japanese or IELTS/TOEFL.
Applications to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program are welcomed from citizens of all countries, reflecting its goal of fostering global impact. The admission process aims to help applicants understand themselves better, allow the selection committee to get to know them, and enable applicants to present their best case for admission while ensuring the process itself is a positive experience. It is expected that about one-third of the scholars will be from the U.S., with the remaining two-thirds from other countries, though this ratio may vary yearly.
Founded in 1885, Stanford University is a hub of learning, discovery, innovation, expression, and discourse, often leading with new ideas and discoveries over its 125+ year history. The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Program in the U.S. attracts talent, fosters a multidisciplinary community of scholars, and empowers them to make significant positive impacts globally.
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Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Masters, PhD
- Institution: Stanford University
- Location: USA
- Focus Areas: Graduate degree programs in arts, engineering, education, humanities, social sciences, business, law, or medicine. Click here for available programs.
- Program Period: Up to three years of graduate education. For programs longer than three years, Stanford’s home department will fund the remainder of the education.
- Deadline: October 2024. Applications for the 2025 cohort open on June 1, 2024. Click here for details.
Scholarship Coverage
The Stanford University Scholarships provide:
- A travel stipend for an annual economy-class trip to and from Stanford.
- A stipend for living and academic expenses (room and board, books, academic supplies, instructional materials, local transportation, and reasonable personal expenses).
- A fellowship covering tuition and associated fees.
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars can also apply for additional funds for academic endeavors, like conference travel.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Stanford University Scholarships:
- Languages Required: English
- Eligible Countries: All countries
- Degree Requirements: First/Bachelor’s degree received in 2018 or later. Applications must be within four years of earning the first degree and enrollment within five years.
- Personal Qualities: Mental sharpness, originality, adaptability, ambition, humility, kindness, inclusiveness, and fluency in English (minimum TOEFL score: 100iBT or 600PBT).
Applicants must apply and be accepted into a full-time Stanford graduate program (DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or PhD). There are no quotas by discipline or program.
Application Process
- Create an Account: Start your application here.
- Complete and Submit Online Application: Provide personal and academic information.
- Submit Required Documents:
- Unofficial or self-reported transcripts.
- A resume (one page per decade of post-secondary experience).
- Two recommendation letters.
- Essays (up to 1,750 words combined).
- Short answers: eight improbable facts and three current goals.
- A two-minute video story.
- Participate in an in-person assessment.
All application materials must be submitted in English via the online application system. We recommend using the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
For reference, here is a sample application for autumn 2025.
For more details, visit the official website.