Reviewed for the 2026 application cycle

Financial aid is one of the most significant issues for international students, and knowing as early as possible about Stanford University Scholarships can have a tremendous impact on your application strategy. Unlike some universities, Stanford does not have a wide range of academic merit scholarships. Rather, almost all its financial aid is need-blind and the University will fill in the total financial gap of those who qualify for admission and seek assistance, regardless of nationality.

This guide describes the reality for international students regarding the undergraduate need-based scholarships and financial assistance, graduate fellowships, graduate assistantships, and outside scholarships and grants that can be combined with Stanford assistance. It is for prospective undergraduates, masters applicants and PhD students that are looking for a clear and realistic picture in advance of their application. Use this guide in conjunction with our Stanford University Admission Guide for a complete overview of the application process. Always check the most up-to-date information and requirements on Stanford's official financial aid website, as financial aid regulations and amounts may vary from year to year.

Quick Overview: Stanford Scholarships at a Glance

Types of Stanford University Scholarships and Funding

It is important to be familiar with Stanford's fundraising classification prior to making an application. Many of these words have been used in other universities, but at Stanford they have different meanings

Stanford University Scholarships for International Students What's Available

The application process for funding is different for international students compared to domestic students, so it's important to understand the details before you apply.

Eligibility

If you are not a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or Eligible Noncitizen, you will need to note that you are applying for financial aid when you apply for undergraduate admission. If an international student does not apply for aid upon their arrival at Stanford, they are not eligible to do so later, unless their citizenship status changes during the student's tenure at Stanford.

Benefits

Students admitted and who have applied for aid will receive their entire financial need if it has been shown through a comprehensive analysis of family income, assets and circumstances.

Available Funding

The financial aid resources available to international citizens are less than those available to domestic citizens and a financial aid request is also considered in the admission review process for non-citizen applicants, making the process more selective for non-citizen applicants. A quick look at Stanford's Acceptance Rate page will give you a good idea just how competitive this combined admission and-aid review really is.

Partial Scholarships

Awards are not given automatically to the majority of students who qualify for them, but are awarded as a partial payment and depend on the family's ability to pay.

Fully Funded Opportunities

For some admitted students who have a very high financial need, the majority or virtually all expenses could be met by Stanford grants. Graduate students are often awarded graduate fellowships, graduate assistantships and tuition assistance and some programs, such as Knight-Hennessy Scholars, provide full tuition awards to the students they choose. Typically, Masters programs are not well supported by the institution, and if you are a Masters student, you must expect to cover expenses out of pocket unless you receive a Masters assistantship or some external award. Check Stanford University Programs for those departments that are more likely to have assistantship funding in your field of interest.

Many foreign students miss this point when applying for university scholarships: they must have a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to receive scholarship money from the university. This is not required in the application process, but is necessary when the aid is awarded.

Eligibility Requirements

• Academic Performance: Acceptable solid academic background is required for admission, and this will help make up your case for aid; however, funding is provided for those who have been admitted. Use Stanford's Rankings profile to compare Stanford with peer institutions in terms of selectivity.
• English Language Requirements: All applicants should submit English Proficiency test scores, unless an applicant is exempted from doing so, such as, by having attended a number of years in English.
• Leadership: Strong application components through demonstrated leadership in school, community and/or extra-curricular activities.
• Extracurricular Activities: It is not so much the quantity of activities as the quality of meaningful and sustained involvement. Quality and quantity is more important than lots of activities.
• Research Experience: Research Fit is a factor that is of particular importance to the PhD and some master's application process as it determines whether or not certain departments or advisors will offer funding.
• Financial Need: Described as the difference between a student's expected and/or demonstrated contribution to education costs and the total cost of the student's college education, it is calculated by completing the Financial Aid Application Form such as CSS Profile or Stanford's International Student Application for Financial Assistance.

Required Documents

• Valid passport
• Academic transcripts
• English test scores (unless exempt)
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Research proposal (for applicable PhD programs)
• Portfolio (for applicable arts or design programs)

The Application Process for Stanford Scholarships is as follows:

1. Determine your financial aid eligibility prior to applying. Note to international undergraduate applicants: It is important that you be considered for aid when you apply, and this cannot be done after the fact.
2. Fill out your admission application. Apply on the platform as a normal degree applicant, as the application process is the same, regardless of citizenship status. This is just one part of the full Admission Guide we have available.
3. Complete the appropriate financial aid paperwork. This usually is the CSS Profile, also known as the International Student Application for Financial Assistance if you aren't able to fill out or pay for the CSS Profile.
4. Collect and present financial paperwork. Use all dollars in the US and have consistent numbers on all forms you submit.
5. Funding for research graduate(s) will be sought separately. For those interested in graduate school, check departmental funding and fellowships, and also check for assistantships (these are typically offered via direct departmental application or once you've been accepted to the program).
6. Start applying for external scholarships concurrently. Do not delay your search for government, employer or private scholarships until you receive a decision from Stanford.
7. Keep a close eye on all due dates. Many aid forms are due separately from the application for admission.
8. Respond quickly to any financial aid office requests. Delays in submitting follow-up documents can delay your aid decision.

Requirements may change each cycle, so it is important to check the most up-to-date process and forms on Stanford's official sites before submitting anything.

Scholarship Deadlines

The deadline for Stanford scholarships and financial aid forms depends on the type of scholarship, the graduate program or school, and the term in which you are applying for admission (Early Decision, Regular Decision, or a particular graduate program term). There are also some funding programs, such as some graduate fellowships, that operate on their own separate timeline which may be in advance of the general application deadline. Instead of using a specific date, use a date range, and check the dates in the official admission and financial aid pages on the Stanford website annually.

Recommendations for enhancing the chance of winning a scholarship.

• Express interest in financial aid as soon as possible. For international undergraduate applicants, this one box decision can impact your future at Stanford.
• Complete aid forms early, not on time! To avoid delays to the processing of your admission decision, submit the CSS Profile or alternative form prior to that decision.
• Develop a clear and focused research story for PhD applications. The amount of funding offered can be related to the interests of the department's available research opportunities.
• Contact faculty potential advisors prior to applying to a graduate program of research. It helps to get an early understanding of funding opportunities if you have a direct discussion with them about their research assistant support.
• Review Knight-Hennessy Scholars deadlines individually. This fellowship is separate from the regular graduate admissions process and its application and deadlines are not linked to those of regular graduate admissions.
• Search for external and government scholarships. It is important to realize that there is limited international aid available at Stanford and that programmes from the home country or international fellowships can fill in gaps in funding.
• Maintain financial paperwork in an orderly and consistent manner Ensure that figures are accurately converted to U.S. dollars and that the numbers match in all forms, to prevent review delays.
• Plan the funding of master's as self-funded, unless other evidence indicates otherwise. If there are any openings in the TA or RA positions, apply for them, but don't expect that the Master's will always have a lot of institutional funding.
• Keep a high, serious academic course, while applying. A competitive transcript will benefit your case for admission and for limited aid funds.
• Do not assume that you know the answer to any questions; always ask them in person at the financial aid office. Whatever advice you get from forums or unofficial people is not as reliable as the official advice that you get from Stanford.

Alternative Scholarships to Consider

While Stanford does have some funding for international students, it is limited, so it is good to develop a bigger strategy for the scholarship in conjunction with your application. Some categories to investigate are:

• Government Scholarships: There are many government-sponsored scholarship boards in various countries that offer a scholarship for studying in the United States, including at Stanford.
• External Funding: These institutions provide funding for international students studying in the United States, including the Fulbright Foreign Student Program.
• Private Scholarships: The foundations, employers, and professional associations sometimes provide awards based on your field of study and/or background.
• Country-Specific Scholarships: The country-specific scholarships are from countries that provide scholarships to students who are accepted into highly regarded international universities, such as Stanford.

Many external scholarships have their own deadlines and requirements for applications, so be sure to look and apply for these well before Stanford's application deadlines.

Related University Resources

• Stanford University Admission Guide
• Stanford University Tuition Fees
• Stanford University Acceptance Rate
• Stanford University Rankings
• Stanford University MBA Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any scholarships for international students at Stanford?

Yes. Limited need-blind financial aid is available for international students at Stanford, and applicants who exercised need-blindness when they were admitted can receive financial aid for 100% of their demonstrated need.

Are there full-funded scholarships at Stanford?

Stanford will not offer a "fully-funded scholarship" to undergraduates, however, a student can receive majority or almost all of their financial needs met if they have extreme financial need. Typically, PhD students receive fellowships and assistantships and programs such as Knight-Hennessy Scholars are fully funded for the PhD students who are selected.

Can undergraduate international students apply for financial aid?

Yes, but it is required that you notify the school of financial aid when you apply. The support is not available for first time requests after the time of admission as an international student.

Is there any chance for me to apply without the IELTS or TOEFL scores?

Generally, the applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency with the exception of those who are exempted, such as those who studied for several years in English. Please refer to the current English proficiency policy on Stanford's official admission page as exemptions may vary.

May I be awarded more than one scholarship at a time?

In most cases, it is possible to qualify for need-based aid from Stanford in addition to the money made available through external scholarships; external scholarships may have an impact on the final award amount. Check Stanford's current policy regarding outside scholarships with the financial aid office.

Is there a merit scholarship for international students at Stanford University?

No, not as in the old days. So while Stanford offers a small number of athletic scholarships, for the rest, it's need-based, not merit-based, whether you're a citizen or not.

Is funding easier to get for graduate programs than undergraduate programs?

This is dependent on the program. As is typical, PhD students are offered assistantships and fellowships, and master's students typically receive little institutional funding and need to self-fund unless they are awarded a particular assistantship or award.

Where is the most accurate and up-to-date information on scholarships?

Always refer to the official financial aid website of Stanford University and the admission office's international applicant pages; financial aid policies, forms, and deadlines change frequently.

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