If you are planning to study at Stanford University, California, USA then apply for the Knight Hennessy Scholarship now! The last date for accepting applications is October 8, 2025.
About Knight Hennessy
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program is a graduate-level scholarship opportunity for international students to study at Stanford University. It was founded in 2016 and aims to equip students with the skills to become leaders in addressing complex global issues through innovative solutions.
Why Knight Hennessy Scholarship
As you consider whether Knight-Hennessy Scholars is the right complement to your Stanford graduate studies, we invite you to explore why we exist, who we are, what we do, where we do it, and how we financially support you. We also encourage you to consider the benefits of joining a multidisciplinary and multicultural cohort. For more information click here.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for admission to graduate study at Stanford, you must meet the university’s minimum requirements for academic credentials and English proficiency.
Minimum Education Requirements
- First, in addition to applying to Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS), you must apply to, be accepted by, and enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate degree program including, but not limited to, DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or PhD programs. You must meet at least one of the following four conditions:
- You are applying separately but concurrently to KHS and a full-time Stanford graduate degree program such that you will start both in the same year.
- You have already been offered and deferred admission to a full-time Stanford graduate degree program, and will apply to KHS such that you will start both in the same year.
- You are a current Stanford graduate student who will apply to add a second full-time Stanford graduate degree program, such that you will start both KHS and the new program in the same year.
- You are a current Stanford PhD student in your first year of enrollment, and will apply to KHS such that you will start KHS in your second year of PhD enrollment.
- Please note that the following Stanford graduate degree programs are not eligible for Knight-Hennessy Scholars:
- Applicants to the Honors Cooperative Program
- Applicants to the Master of Liberal Arts
- Applicants to the Doctor of Science of Law (JSD) and the Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
- Current Stanford students pursuing coterminal graduate study
- Current Stanford PhD students adding an MA or MS degree in their current discipline
Minimum Qualifications
You must have earned, in January 2019 or later, a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing.
To apply to join the cohort in:
You must have earned your first bachelor’s degree by:
To apply to join the cohort in: 2026
You must have earned your first bachelor’s degree by: January 2019 or later
English Proficiency
As a graduate student enrolled at Stanford, you will be expected to read English with ease, understand rapid idiomatic English as used in lectures and group discussions, and express thoughts quickly and clearly in spoken and written English.
- If your first language is not English, you are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) before your program’s application deadline.
- Refer to the link above for more information, including Stanford’s minimum TOEFL score requirements and TOEFL waivers/exemptions.
To know more about TOEFL click here!
Application Overview
Click here to understand the application process
Application Fee
- The application fee is INR 10,245 / $125 and is nonrefundable.
- You are prompted to pay the application fee at the time you submit your application.
- We accept payments via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club) or via bank transfer from a U.S. checking account.
- The application fee may not be refunded under any circumstance, including withdrawal of the application from admission consideration prior to receiving a decision.
Fee Waivers
Click here to view Fee Waivers conditions
How to Apply?
- Click the Apply Now button above.
- Click Create Account under First-Time Users.
- If you are a current Stanford student or affiliate, you may use the Login with SUNet ID option and you will not need to complete the remaining steps below.
- Enter your email address, first name, last name, and birthdate. Click Continue. A temporary PIN is sent to your email address.
- Follow the instructions in the email you just received to establish your account password.
- Log in and click Start New Application.
Click here for the official application link.
Deadline
October 8, 2025
The application closes at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on your program’s deadline.
