Cornell University Tata Scholarship – Get to Know More

The Cornell University Tata Scholarship is a prestigious financial aid program designed to support talented Indian students pursuing undergraduate studies at Cornell University. 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: 

Feature	Details
Scholarship Type	College-Specific, Full-Ride, Need-Based
Offered By	TATA Trust
Application Deadline	January 2, 2024
Number of Scholarships	20
Scholarship Amount	Variable
Renewability	Yes, renewed yearly
Eligible for International Students	Yes
Official Website	Cornell Tata Scholarship

Note: Preference is given to students in engineering, applied economics, biological sciences, physical sciences, architecture, and social sciences. Applications open October 1, 2025, for the 2025–2026 academic year.

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.

English Language Proficiency:

• Must submit valid TOEFL or IELTS scores.
• Minimum required scores: IELTS – 7.0 band | TOEFL – 100.

Admission Requirements:

• 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 2025–2026

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.

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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. 

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Conclusion

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 comprehensive study-abroad programs, expert guidance, and tailored learning solutions to help students achieve their academic and career goals.

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