Established through a $25 million endowment by the Tata Education and Development Trust, this scholarship aims to provide funding to around 20 Indian students each year. It covers tuition and other academic expenses for the duration of the undergraduate program, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access to world-class education.
To qualify, students must be Indian citizens, demonstrate financial need, and have secured admission to Cornell’s undergraduate programs. Preference is given to students in fields such as engineering, economics, and life sciences. Since its inception, the Tata Scholarship has helped numerous Indian students achieve their academic goals at one of the world’s top universities.
Key Highlights of Cornell University Tata Scholarship:
Eligibility criteria for Cornell University Tata Scholarship
Cornell University Tata Scholarship is completely based on merit and need-based financial aid. Indian students need to fulfill the eligibility criteria to apply for the scholarship. The scholarship program is meant for undergraduate programs, which is suitable for high school graduates.
Citizenship & Residency:
Must be a permanent citizen of India with a valid residence in the country.
Educational Qualifications:
Must have completed formal secondary education (10+2) in India without any study gaps.
Should have scored a minimum of 70% in high school in the relevant field of study.
Must have a confirmed admission offer for a full-time, undergraduate classroom program (3-4 years) at Cornell University.
Admission must be secured through the general admission process; students using a quota-based admission are not eligible.
Financial Need:
Must be eligible for need-based financial aid as determined by Cornell University.
Applicants must have secured admission to an undergraduate program at Cornell University. Explore the available Cornell University Courses to find a suitable program.
Benefits of Cornell University Tata Scholarship
The Cornell University Tata Scholarship is a prestigious financial aid program that supports Indian undergraduate students pursuing higher education at Cornell University. This scholarship ensures that deserving students can access world-class education without financial constraints. Here are the key benefits:
Comprehensive Financial Support: The scholarship covers the full tuition and annual course fees for the entire duration of the undergraduate program, typically four years.
Renewable Funding: Recipients receive annual scholarship awards that are renewable for the length of their undergraduate studies, provided they maintain satisfactory academic performance.
Merit and Need-Based Assistance: The scholarship is designed to support outstanding Indian students who demonstrate both exceptional academic achievements and financial need, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access to quality education.
Exclusive Opportunity: Each year, approximately 20 Indian students are selected for this prestigious scholarship, highlighting its competitive nature and the emphasis on attracting top talent from India.
Documents required for Cornell University Tata Scholarship
Indian students need to submit a list of documents to complete the application process at the time of application. There is an online background verification check with the complete list of documents submitted by the applicant and the application form. Students need to be careful that the information stated in the application form should be similar to the documents submitted. Here’s the complete list of documents that applicants need to upload along with the application form –
English language proficiency test scorecards are important documents that need to be submitted at the time of application. Cornell University Tata scholarship accepts IELTS and TOEFL scores. Students need to submit either of the language proficiency test scorecards while applying for the scholarship online.
All the academic records and transcripts need to be uploaded in original scanned copies. It can be degree or certificate courses done by the students. Students can submit any kind of relevant academic records.
Financial proof and financial statements are very important to submit at the time of application for the scholarship. Students need to prove that they are financially stable to manage the cost of study even without the scholarship program.
Proof of citizenship and permanent residents in India. Students need to prove that they are permanent residents in India and hold Indian citizenship.
Minimum two letters of recommendation are compulsory at the time of application for the scholarship. It can be from past faculties that have closely marked the academic records of the students.
A personal statement or statement of purpose is an important document that states the purpose and goals regarding the student’s admission at Cornell University. It is an important eligibility criterion based on which the scholarship panel shortlists the students.
Passport size photographs.
Updated resume or curriculum vitae with complete information regarding achievements, personal information, contact details, and relevant activities.
Medical reports to prove that the applicant is completely fit to travel and study.
How to apply for Cornell University Tata Scholarship?
Indian students need to complete the Cornell University Tata Scholarship application program online through the official website. Applicants need to complete the college scholarship service profile. The scholarship form is available online which the students need to fill by creating a student profile. In the application process, students need to complete two application forms online for the scholarship.
Cornell University Tata Scholarship Application
Need-based Financial Aid Form for International Students
The online application forms mentioned above will require some information details at the time of application. Applicants need to be very careful while offering the information which should resemble the supporting documents that are submitted along with the online application form –
Indian citizenship documents
Permanent resident documents
Photocopy of a valid passport
Self income proof
Non-custodial asset and income proofs of parents
School and academic records till 10 + 2
Counselor recommendation. Cornell University requires a personal statement from the school counselor or advisor from the past education institution of the student.
Evaluation and recommendation from past faculties
Degree certificate with high school marks
Language proficiency scorecards
Important Dates for Cornell University Tata Scholarship 2025
The Cornell University Tata Scholarship offers financial assistance to Indian students pursuing undergraduate studies at Cornell University. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the key dates are:
Early Decision Deadline: November 1, 2024.
Regular Decision Deadline: January 2, 2025.
To be considered for the Tata Scholarship, applicants must complete the CSS Profile and indicate their financial need by the respective admission deadlines.
Selection criteria of Cornell University Tata Scholarship
The selection criteria of Cornell University Tata Scholarship are completely based on need and merit-based. Undergraduate Indian students from weak economic backgrounds are eligible for this scholarship program. Based on academic proficiency and academic merit, 20 scholars are chosen for this scholarship program every academic year.
The academic records and English language test proficiency test scores along with soft skills are evaluated by the scholarship trust association. Indian students need to be brilliant with their academic records as the acceptance rate is very low. Almost 10 times, application forms are submitted with regards to the actual intake capacity of the scholarship.
The Cornell University Tata Scholarship is a game-changer for Indian students aspiring to study at Cornell University but facing financial constraints. By covering tuition and essential costs, this scholarship enables deserving students to pursue their academic dreams at a world-class Ivy League institution.
With its merit and need-based approach, it ensures that financial limitations do not stand in the way of talent and ambition.
For those looking to explore global education opportunities beyond this scholarship, upGrad offers comprehensivestudy-abroad programs, expert guidance, and tailored learning solutions to help students achieve their academic and career goals.
How to get a Tata Scholarship for Cornell University?
To apply for the Cornell University Tata Scholarship, students must first secure admission to an undergraduate program at Cornell. They must then apply for need-based financial aid through the university’s financial aid process. The scholarship is awarded based on financial need and academic excellence.
Does Cornell give a 100% scholarship?
Cornell University offers need-based financial aid, which can cover up to 100% of tuition and other costs for eligible students. The Tata Scholarship specifically provides full tuition support for selected Indian undergraduate students.
How can an Indian get into Cornell?
Indian students must meet Cornell’s admission requirements, including a strong academic record, competitive SAT/ACT scores (if required), and English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS). They also need to submit essays, recommendation letters, and participate in interviews if required.
How many marks are required for the Tata Scholarship?
Applicants should have scored at least 70% in their high school (10+2) exams in the relevant field of study. Additionally, they must meet Cornell’s admission criteria and demonstrate financial need.
What are the fees of Cornell University in Indian rupees?
Cornell’s undergraduate tuition for international students is around $66,000 per year, which is approximately INR 55,00,000 (based on exchange rates). Additional expenses include accommodation, food, and other fees.
Who is eligible for the Tata Cornell Scholarship?
The scholarship is exclusively for Indian students who:
Have secured admission to an undergraduate program at Cornell University.
Demonstrate financial need.
Have completed secondary education in India without gaps.
Meet English language proficiency requirements (IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100).
Does Cornell University offer scholarships to international students?
Yes, Cornell provides need-based financial aid to international students, including Indian applicants. The Tata Scholarship is specifically for Indian students, but other funding options are available for students from different countries.
Who is the Cornell University Tata Scholarship designed for?
This scholarship is designed for financially disadvantaged Indian students with exceptional academic records who wish to pursue a full-time undergraduate degree at Cornell University. It supports students who gain admission through the general admission process without any quota-based benefits.
Can I apply for the Tata Scholarship before getting admission to Cornell?
No, you must first receive an admission offer from Cornell University for an undergraduate program. Once admitted, you can apply for the Tata Scholarship as part of the need-based financial aid process.
Is the Tata Scholarship available for master’s programs at Cornell?
No, the Tata Scholarship is only for undergraduate programs at Cornell University. If you're looking for postgraduate scholarships, you can explore other funding options offered by Cornell or external organizations.
How competitive is the Tata Scholarship at Cornell?
The Tata Scholarship is highly competitive, as only 20 Indian students are awarded this scholarship each year. To improve your chances, maintain excellent academic records, demonstrate financial need, and ensure a strong application to Cornell.
With over a decade of expertise in international education, Jyotsna has held impactful roles at the British Council, Unilodgers, a prominent UK university, and IDP Education, empowering countless students by not only enhancing their educational experiences but also by offering them guidance in securing essential scholarships and financial aid. She is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals through tailored guidance and financial support.
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