Highlights
- Type of scholarship: The University offers only need-based grants. However, every year 20 Indians avail the benefits of the TATA endowment scholarship
- For International students: The university provides Assistantships and Fellowships only to international students.
- For technical students: Knight Fellowship that offsets USD 60,000 from your tuition fees. GEM fellowship programme that will allow you to avail USD 10,000 per semester
- For Indian students: JN TATA Endowment Scholarship and TATA Scholarship Cornell University are specifically designed for Indian students
- Accepted external scholarships: Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship, KC Mahindra Trust Scholarship, Fulbright Scholarship and Inlaks Scholarship
Cornell University scholarships offer need-based financial aid to international students. Cornell University scholarships are certainly not into talent-based, athletic or merit-based segments. For the first year, international students, specifically the Indian applicants, the university already received a 25 million endowment fund from Tata Education and Development Trust. You will be eligible for TATA Scholarship, Cornell University if you are:
- An Indian citizen who attended high school in India
- Accepted offered admission from Cornell as an undergraduate student
- Comply with the criteria of need-based financial support
Then, you are eligible for TATA Cornell scholarship funding up to your 8th semester. If you are a research fellow then you will get multiple fellowship options like
- Deans Excellence Fellowship
- UNY Graduate Diversity Fellowship
- Deans McNair and McNair SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowships
- Deans Mellon Mays and Mellon Mays SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowships
- Sage fellowship
Cornell University Scholarship Grants and Financial aids
Cornell University scholarships, grants and financial aid are subject to your demonstrated financial needs. Based on the final assessments and family earnings, the university offers
- Pell grants
- Endowment Scholarship
- Zero or low student loan
- Work Study opportunity
For international students, JN TATA Endowment scholarships act as gift aid. So, you don't need to repay the amount. The details are illustrated in the below section.
Cornell University Scholarships for International Students
Cornell University scholarship for international students, 2024 is limited to TATA endowment scholarship only. Instead of specific scholarships, the university offers multiple fellowships and assistantships. These are:
| Category | Name | Key minutes |
| Assistantship | Graduate Research Assistantship | Stipends are subjected to degree-related research |
| Research Assistance | No separate application is required | |
| Graduate Assistantship | The stipend is related to an academic appointment | |
| Fellowships | Cornell Fellowship | Provide financial aid for one semester or academic year. Based on the demonstrated financial need, the student gets tuition, a stipend and individual health insurance |
| Sage Fellowship | The two-year fellowship will provide tuition, stipend and individual health insurance |
To avail of the assistantship and fellowship, you need to apply by May 1 of every fiscal to the Graduate school. Apart from these, if you are pursuing any technical degree, the College of Engineering of Cornell University is offering two merit-based scholarships.
- Through Knight Fellowship, you can get USD 60,000 (INR 50,01,693.00) to support your international tuition fees as per Cornell University scholarship for international students
- Through the GEM fellowship programme, you can get USD 10,000 (INR 83, 3615.50) as a tuition reward per semester
- Cornell University scholarship amount depends upon your pursued programme
Cornell University Scholarships for Indian Students
If you are planning to study at one of the Lvy Leagues institutions like Cornell University, then you will have the following options.
| Name of the financial aids/grants/scholarships | Type of Degree | Amount (In USD) | Eligibility Criteria |
| JN TATA Endowment Scholarship | Undergraduate | 1200 | An Indian citizen with an aggregated score of 60% from any Indian Institution. Also, not older than 45 years |
| TATA scholarship Cornell University | Undergraduate | Variable | Must be an Indian citizen and received a formal offer letter for any full-time undergraduate course |
| Federal Work-Study | Both undergraduate and postgraduate | 1000-4000 | Proof of financial need and an admission letter from Cornell |
| Cornell University Grant | Undergraduates | 5500-7000 | An Indian citizen who has also completed the CSS profile |
| Cornell Endow Scholarships | Both undergraduate and postgraduate | 1100-1500 | An Indian citizen who has also completed the CSS profile |
Before you apply for any of the above-mentioned scholarships, you need to consider the below-mentioned facts.
- For the TATA scholarship at Cornell University, apply before January 2 of every fiscal
- For the JN TATA endowment scholarship, try to apply on or before April of every fiscal
- For Federal Work-Study at Cornell, you will get a maximum financial aid of USD 5000 (INR 41,66,62.50) per year
External Scholarships for Indian Students to Study at Cornell University
Cornell University scholarships list consists of several diverse scholarship options. Other than that, the university accepts a generous number of external scholarships too. If you are an international student, then you will have options for external scholarships to bear the cost of your international degree. These are:
| Scholarship name | Amount (in USD) | Eligibility Criteria |
| Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship | Half grant and half loan, applicable for tuition fees only | Must be an Indian student holding a bachelor's degree with average agreed marks of 60%. |
| KC Mahindra Trust Scholarship | Up to 6000 | Must be an Indian candidate holding a first-class degree or equivalent degree from any recognized Indian University |
| OPEC International Student Development Scholarship | Up to USD 50,000 | A Master’s degree pursuing student from any recognized USA University within the age bracket of 23-32. Must have a Cumulative GPA of 3.0. |
| Fulbright Scholarship | USD 35,000 | Must be an Indian Student, completed bachelor's degree with 55% aggregate from an Indian University |
| Inlaks Scholarship | 100,000 | Must be an Indian, holding a first-class undergraduate Degree and must not be above the age group of 30 |
(1 USD = 83.33 INR as per 29th May 2024)
Before you apply for any one of the above-mentioned ones, remember each one has its eligibility criteria. So, check the eligibility criteria to complete your bachelor's, master's or research academic programme and avail of Cornell University scholarship opportunities.
Cornell University Scholarship Application Process
If you are a prospective student and need assistance with need-based financial grants, you can express the concern at the time of your admission. Initially, you need to complete the College Scholarship Service or CSS profile for international students form. Before that, you need to keep the below points in mind.
- The early decisions for any kind of financial aid are made on November 1st. Regular decisions are made on January 2 of every fiscal year, and it is considered the Cornell University scholarship deadline.
- To complete the CSS application, you need to have a tax return file, a record of untaxed income, bank statements and a record of current income.
Being an international student, if you have anticipated financial need, then you need to apply at the time of application. At any point in time, as an undergraduate, you will not get any financial aid if you do not apply at the application. So, consider these matters before you apply for any financial aid to the University.
FAQs
Ques: How to get a full scholarship to Cornell University?
Ans: If you have demonstrated financial need with low family income, then being an international student, you are eligible for financial grants. Pell grants and NY State grants (when eligible), work-study, and zero or low student loans, depending on total family income, you will get any one of the above-mentioned ones.
Ques: Does Cornell offer a 100% scholarship?
Ans: Yes, the University offers that, but still the majority of that provides partial financial grants. Other external financial aid and scholarship options will help you to cut down your tuition fees.
Ques: Does Cornell give scholarships to Indian students?
Ans: Yes, the University offers lucrative opportunities to Indian students only. Other than that, the Cornell University Tata Scholarship is a blessing for international students, through which every year 20 Indian students get the opportunity to study at the USA university.
Ques: Can an average student get into Cornell?
Ans: The overall acceptance rate is 7.1%. So, you need to be very competitive to get into the University. Other than that, the university set certain GPA and SAT percentages to get into the University.
Ques: Is Cornell worth the cost?
Ans: Yes, the University is one of the best Lvy language schools. The University has a strong alumni network that highlights the university in the international arena.
Ques: How can an Indian get into Cornell?
Ans: Common Application, SOP, guidance Counsellor recommendation and then apply for Teacher evaluations. The application fee is USD 80.
Ques: Does Cornell accept Indian students?
Ans: Yes, the University accepts Indian students. However, you have to have an exceptional academic background. Also, must comply with the English language exam. Then you have the option to get into the university.
Ques: Is Cornell a top 10 university?
Ans: As per the QS news, the University secured 2nd position. The cost of tuition fees is USD 66,014.
Ques: Why is Cornell so famous?
Ans: The university's renowned research initiatives in areas like genomics, cancer biology, and regenerative medicine contribute to advancements in understanding diseases and developing novel therapies
Ques: What is the acceptance rate for Cornell University students in India?
Ans: The acceptance rate is 10%.











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