Cornell University Graduate Fellowships
Cornell University · All India
| Scheme Name | Cornell University Graduate Fellowships |
| Provided By | Cornell University |
| Eligibility Summary | PhD, Masters · No income limit |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Cornell University Graduate Fellowships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
$36,000 to $50,000/mo (approx. ₹58.1 Lakh+)
Cornell University Graduate Fellowships for doctoral students typically include full tuition, individual student health insurance, and a nine-month stipend. A summer stipend may also be provided. The estimated annual stipend ranges from approximately $36,000 to $50,000 USD, which converts to roughly INR 3,006,000 to INR 4,175,000 (based on an approximate exchange rate of 1 USD = 83.5 INR). Assistantship stipends are paid semi-monthly through Cornell's payroll system, while fellowship stipends can be deposited as a lump sum or through regular payments via direct deposit to a U.S. bank account. Taxes are not typically withheld for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, but some international students may be subject to tax withholdings under U.S. tax treaties. Students are encouraged to plan for their tax obligations. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts is not applicable as this is a U.S. university scholarship.
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Target Degree Levels:Primarily Ph.D. programs and research-oriented Master's programs. While Master's students may receive limited funding, the comprehensive fellowships are predominantly for doctoral candidates.
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Nationality:Open to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and international students for general Cornell Fellowships. Specific fellowships like the Founder's Excellence Fellowships are for nominated domestic doctoral students (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or Indigenous peoples of Canada).
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Admission Status:Must be an incoming student applying for admission to a Cornell University graduate program. Continuing students are generally ineligible for new student fellowships.
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Academic Requirements:Applicants must meet the admission requirements of their chosen graduate field. There is no specific minimum GPA cutoff, but undergraduate coursework and grades are thoroughly considered in the admissions review process.
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English Language Proficiency:All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English, typically by submitting official TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores, unless exempted.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | PhD, Masters |
| Course / Stream | PhD, Masters |
| Minimum Marks | 90% |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Completed Cornell's Online Graduate School Application
- ✓Unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts (official transcripts required upon admission)
- ✓Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, if required by the specific graduate field (official scores to Cornell University code 2098)
- ✓Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, if required by the specific graduate field
- ✓Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- ✓2-3 Letters of Recommendation
- ✓Statement of Purpose
- ✓Official English language proficiency test scores (TOEFL or IELTS Academic), if applicable
Selection Process
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Admission to Cornell's graduate programs, and subsequently to fellowships, is highly competitive and merit-based
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Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree with a highly competitive undergraduate GPA, often around 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or 90% in the Indian education system
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Key selection criteria include academic achievement, submission of GRE or GMAT scores (if required by the program), official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a compelling statement of purpose outlining research interests and career goals
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All international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS scores unless exempt
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Fellowships are typically awarded at the time of admission, and prospective students apply for them through the main admissions application.
Renewal Policy
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Funding for doctoral students is generally provided for up to five years, contingent upon maintaining satisfactory academic progress and fulfilling any associated teaching or research responsibilities if the funding is part of an assistantship
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Some specific fellowships, like the Sage Fellowships, are two-year awards (first year and dissertation year) with four summers of funding, requiring students to actively pursue scholarship and maintain satisfactory academic progress, including filing an academic plan
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Students are not eligible for fellowship funding after completing specific examinations (e.g., B-exam) or exceeding the allowed timeframe for their degree completion.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Identify Your Program
Explore the nearly 100 graduate fields of study offered by Cornell's Graduate School and choose the program that aligns with your academic and career goals.
- 2Review Program-Specific Requirements
Each graduate field has specific application criteria and deadlines. Visit the program's page on the Graduate School website to understand detailed requirements.
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Complete the Online Graduate School Application: Begin by setting up an ApplyWeb account through Cornell's online application portal.
- 4Prepare Required Documents
This typically includes unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts (official paper transcripts are required upon admission), GRE or GMAT scores (if required by your program, sent to Cornell University using code 2098), a resume or CV, and 2-3 letters of recommendation.
- 5Write a Statement of Purpose
Craft a well-written statement outlining your research interests, academic goals, and career aspirations, explaining why you are interested in the specific program and faculty.
- 6Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
If your native language is not English, submit official TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic scores that meet the Graduate School's minimum requirements (e.g., TOEFL iBT 100 overall, IELTS 7.0 overall), unless you qualify for a standing exemption.
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Apply for Fellowships within the Application: Cornell University Fellowships are awarded at the time of admission, and prospective students are automatically considered for many internal fellowships when they apply for admission. There is no separate application for these fellowships.
- 8Pay the Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $105 USD is required. Fee waivers based on financial hardship may be available for select programs and can be requested through the payment page of the application form.
- 9Submit the Application
Ensure all sections are complete and submit your application by your program's deadline. International application deadlines vary by program.
- 10Track Application Status
After submission, you can usually track your application status through the ApplyWeb portal where you applied. For financial aid decisions, these may not be available until later in the admission cycle.
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Certify Funds (for admitted international students): If admitted, you will receive an email to complete the Admission Supplement for International Students. This form collects information needed to finalize your admission and issue your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019) for visa application purposes. You will need to certify sufficient funds for your studies.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Are these fellowships specifically for Indian students in India?
Cornell University Graduate Fellowships are offered to outstanding graduate students admitted to Cornell, regardless of nationality. While there isn't a specific 'in India' fellowship program, Indian students are eligible to apply for the general graduate fellowships available to all international students. There is a specific Tata Scholarship, but this is for Indian *undergraduate* students.
What does 'fully funded' mean for a graduate fellowship at Cornell?
For doctoral students, 'fully funded' typically means that the fellowship package covers full tuition costs, individual student health insurance, and provides a living allowance or stipend. This comprehensive support helps students focus on their academic and research pursuits without significant financial burden.
How do I apply for these fellowships, and what are my chances of receiving one?
Prospective graduate students are considered for most Cornell University Fellowships automatically when they submit their application for admission to a graduate program. There isn't a separate fellowship application. Admission and fellowship awards are highly competitive and merit-based, considering your academic record, recommendations, statement of purpose, and test scores. Approximately 99% of Cornell's Ph.D. students are fully funded, indicating a strong commitment to supporting its doctoral candidates.
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