Need-Based Scholarship by Stanford University for International Students

Stanford University offers comprehensive, need-based scholarships for international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, ensuring that a student’s financial background doesn’t prevent them from attending. While undergraduate admission for international students is need-aware—meaning a request for aid may be a factor in the admission decision—Stanford is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need of all admitted students, regardless of their citizenship. These scholarships come in the form of grants, which don’t have to be repaid, and cover a wide range of expenses beyond just tuition, including room and board, books, and other personal costs. For graduate students, funding is often program-specific, with options including fellowships and assistantships that provide tuition coverage and a stipend.

In this blog, we’ll delve deeper into the types of need-based scholarships available, the application process for international students, and the full scope of benefits offered to help you navigate your journey toward a world-class education at Stanford.

Overview of Need-Based Scholarship by Stanford University

Stanford University is committed to making education accessible and affordable for all admitted students, regardless of their financial background. Their financial aid program is primarily need-based, not merit-based, ensuring that a student’s ability to pay does not hinder their enrollment.

Category	Eligibility & Selection	Coverage & Benefits
Undergraduate	Admitted international students who demonstrate financial need. The admission process is need-aware, so requesting aid can be a factor.	100% of demonstrated financial need met through grants and scholarships. No loans are included in the aid package. Covers tuition, room and board, books, and personal expenses.
Graduate	Varies by program. Primarily merit-based, but some need-based support exists. Eligibility for assistantships and fellowships is based on academic excellence and departmental needs.	Funding is often program-specific. Common forms of aid include fellowships (covering tuition and providing a stipend) and assistantships (tuition waivers and a salary in exchange for teaching or research).

Need-Based Scholarship by Stanford University

Stanford University offers comprehensive need-based scholarships to ensure that an admitted student’s financial situation doesn’t prevent them from attending. This aid is primarily grant-based, meaning the funds do not have to be repaid, which allows students to graduate without debt.

For Undergraduate Students

Stanford’s financial aid for undergraduates is exceptionally generous. The university is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need for every admitted student, including international students. This aid is offered through the Stanford University Scholarship, which is essentially the umbrella term for the university’s grant-based aid.

• Eligibility: To be eligible, a student must be admitted and demonstrate financial need through the application process. For international students, the admission process is “need-aware,” meaning a request for financial aid can affect the admission decision.
• Coverage: This scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, which includes not only tuition but also housing, food, books, personal expenses, and travel. For families with typical assets, those earning less than $100,000 are not expected to pay for tuition or room and board, while those earning less than $150,000 pay no tuition.
• Application: Students must indicate their intention to apply for financial aid on their admissions application. They are then required to submit the CSS Profile and other necessary financial documents.

For Graduate Students

Financial aid for graduate students is more diverse and often tied to specific departments or programs. While some need-based aid exists, many funding opportunities are merit-based.

• Stanford GSB Need-Based Fellowships: The Graduate School of Business (GSB) offers these fellowships to MBA students based solely on financial need. The average fellowship provides substantial support and does not need to be repaid. All admitted MBA students who demonstrate financial need are eligible, regardless of citizenship.
• Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program: This is a highly prestigious, fully-funded scholarship for graduate students in any of Stanford’s graduate schools. While not strictly need-based, it provides comprehensive financial support (tuition, a stipend for living expenses, and a travel allowance) to a select group of students from around the world based on their leadership and civic commitment.
• Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship: This is a need-based fellowship specifically for Indian citizens admitted to the Stanford GSB MBA program. It can cover up to 80% of the cost of attendance for students who commit to returning to India to work after graduation.

Also Read: Stanford University Scholarships for International Students

Application Process for Need-Based Scholarship by Stanford University

To be considered for a need-based scholarship, international students must indicate on their admission application that they are applying for financial aid. This is a crucial step, as students who do not request aid during the application process will not be eligible to apply for financial aid at any time during their undergraduate years at Stanford.

The application process for need-based aid for international students is as follows:

• The first step is to complete and submit your undergraduate admission application (e.g., via the Common Application).
• You must fill out the CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service) online, using Stanford’s school code. This form collects detailed information about your family’s financial situation, including income, assets, and household size.
• The university may require additional financial documents, such as tax returns or bank statements, to verify the information provided in the CSS Profile. These documents are usually submitted through the university’s secure Document Upload process.
• Once your admission and financial aid applications are reviewed, Stanford will determine your demonstrated financial need and notify you of your scholarship award along with your offer of admission.

Benefits of the Need-Based Scholarship by Stanford University

Stanford University’s need-based scholarship provides comprehensive financial benefits, ensuring that a student’s economic background does not prevent them from attending. The core benefits are designed to alleviate the financial burden and allow students to focus on their academic and personal growth.

• 100% of Demonstrated Need Met: For admitted undergraduate students, Stanford commits to meeting 100% of their demonstrated financial need. This is a significant benefit as it guarantees that all necessary educational and living costs will be covered.
• No Student Loans: A central pillar of Stanford’s financial aid is its no-loan policy. The university provides aid in the form of grants and scholarships, which are essentially gifts that do not have to be repaid. This allows students to graduate without accumulating debt, a huge advantage for their future.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The scholarship is designed to cover the full “cost of attendance,” which goes beyond just tuition. This includes:
  • Tuition and Fees: The full cost of all academic fees.
  • Room and Board: On-campus housing and meal plans.
  • Books and Supplies: The costs for required course materials.
  • Personal and Travel Expenses: An allowance for miscellaneous expenses, as well as travel to and from campus.
• Merit-Based Programs: While the main undergraduate aid is need-based, there are also highly prestigious, fully-funded merit-based scholarships for graduate students, such as the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program. These programs provide full tuition, a living stipend, and a focus on leadership development and networking.

Also Read: List of Scholarship Universities in the USA

FAQs

Related Reads

Study in USA For Free: A Guide to Study in America for Free	25+ Questions About Studying in USA for International Students
Undergraduate Courses in USA	Fully Funded Scholarships in USA to Study Abroad
Campus Life in USA for International Students	US Universities with High Acceptance Rate

Exploring study abroad scholarships? Not sure how to go about it? Let the professionals at Leverage Edu take care of your academic journey! You may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process so that you can realize your goals. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.