The Cornell Tata Scholarship provides need-based financial aid to eligible undergraduate students who attended secondary school in India. Applicants must gain admission to Cornell University, demonstrate financial need and complete the university’s required financial-aid process.
Created through a $25 million endowment from the Tata Education and Development Trust, the program supports about 20 scholars at any one time and awards assistance annually.
Who qualifies for the Cornell Tata Scholarship?
To qualify, a student must have attended secondary school in India, receive an offer of undergraduate admission from Cornell and be eligible for need-based financial aid.
Applicants do not submit a separate Tata Scholarship application. Eligible students are considered after completing Cornell’s undergraduate admission application and financial-aid requirements, including the CSS Profile.
International students who expect to need financial assistance during their studies must request aid when applying for admission. Cornell’s review of international applicants is need-aware.
Preferred academic programs
The selection process gives preference to qualified students admitted to the College of Architecture, Art and Planning, Cornell’s engineering college, the Applied Economics and Management major, and programs in the biological, physical and other sciences. Preference also extends to students in the social sciences.
How long does the scholarship provide funding?
Tata Scholars may continue receiving assistance while they demonstrate financial need. Funding is generally available for up to eight semesters of full-time undergraduate enrollment.
Students enrolled in the five-year architecture program may receive support for up to 10 semesters. Additional semesters required for double majors or dual-degree programs are not covered.
What applicants should know
Applicants should submit accurate family financial information and respond promptly to requests for supporting documents.
Admission requirements, testing policies and financial-aid deadlines can change between application cycles. Students should therefore review Cornell’s official international admissions and financial-aid instructions before submitting an application.
The scholarship can make a Cornell education more accessible to qualifying students from India, but admission and financial assistance are not automatic. Completing every admissions and aid requirement by the applicable deadline remains essential.
