Stanford University gives some of the best financial help in the world. The university’s “Need-Blind” policy for domestic students and very competitive, full-ride scholarships for international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels will stay in place for the 2026/2027 school year.
1. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (students in graduate school)
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) programme is Stanford’s best fully funded award for master’s and PhD students. Its goal is to create a community of future leaders from many different fields.
- Coverage: full tuition and fees, a travel stipend (one trip per year in economy class), and a living stipend that pays for room and board, books, and personal expenses.
- Length: Up to three years after you get your graduate degree. If your program is longer, like a PhD or MD, your home department at Stanford will cover the rest of the years.
- Deadlines for 2027 intake: * Applications open in the summer of 2026.
- Deadline for applications: Usually mid-October 2026 (to be confirmed in the summer of 2026).
- Dual applications: You need to apply to both the KHS program and the graduate degree program at Stanford that you want to attend.
2. Financial Aid for Undergraduates (Both International and Domestic)
All of Stanford’s undergraduate aid is based on need. They are “need-aware” for international applicants, which means that financial need can be a factor in the decision to admit someone. However, they promise to meet 100% of the demonstrated need for every student they admit.
- The $100,000 Income Rule: Families with an annual income and typical assets of less than $100,000 don’t have to pay for tuition, room, and board during the 2026/2027 cycle.
- The $150,000 Income Rule says that families with incomes under $150,000 don’t have to pay for tuition, but they can help pay for room and board.
- No Loans: Stanford’s financial aid packages don’t include student loans. Instead, they are made up of grants and scholarships that don’t have to be paid back.
3. Guarantee of PhD funding
Stanford’s university-wide policy makes sure that almost all PhD students get full funding.
- Stipend Levels: For the 2026/2027 school year, the annual stipend for many graduate fellowships, like the Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship, is about $58,500 ($14,625 per quarter).
- Tuition Support: The university or a specific department pays for all of the tuition for the standard residency period.
- Health Insurance: Most PhD funding packages pay for the full cost of Stanford Cardinal Care health insurance.
4. The Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship (SIGF)
This program is for current or future doctoral candidates who want to conduct research that crosses traditional academic boundaries.
- Value: Full tuition and a $58,500 stipend for three years.
- The application period for the 2027/2028 cycle will usually start in January 2027.
5. Requirements for Applications and Waivers
- CSS Profile: To be considered for aid, international undergraduate applicants must send in the CSS Profile (Code: 4704).
- Stanford accepts the TOEFL as proof of English proficiency. Most graduate programmes require a score of at least 100 on the iBT. But they usually don’t accept IELTS, so make sure to check the requirements for your department for 2026.
- GRE/GMAT: A lot of departments will still be “test-optional” in 2026, but the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program still needs the scores that your degree program requires.
Final Thoughts
Getting a fully funded seat at Stanford in 2026 means you need to act quickly, especially if you want to get into the Knight-Hennessy programme, which requires you to start your application almost a year before you start school. If you are an undergraduate and your family’s income is less than $100,000 a year, you should focus on writing a fantastic application. If you get in, you will automatically get a “full ride”.
