Fellowships for Graduate Study

Each year, the Aero/Astro department awards several graduate fellowships, primarily to entering master's degree candidates with the potential for doctoral study.

Fellowships normally provide full tuition and a substantial living-expense stipend for one academic year (Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters). The department also nominates outstanding applicants for Stanford Graduate Fellowships, which provide three years of full support.

Fellowship awards are based solely on an evaluation of the graduate school application, and no additional forms or materials are required for consideration. There is a box on the application form that indicates whether the applicant wishes to be considered for financial aid; those who check "yes" and whose applications are complete by our aid deadline will be considered for fellowship support. Fellowship awards are generally announced by March 15 of each year, with a reply deadline of April 15.

Applicants are also strongly encouraged to apply for national fellowships such as the NSF, Hertz, and NDSEG programs (for U.S. citizens) or for comparable financial aid programs from their home countries.

Competition for all categories of fellowship is, of course, very strong, and our limited funds will not allow us to offer Stanford support to most of the outstanding students whom we admit each year. U.S. citizens may also wish to consider need-based, federally funded student loan programs; for information and the appropriate forms, contact the Financial Aid office at Stanford or at your home institution. (Graduate students are currently considered independent of their parents for these loan programs.)

Knight-Hennessy Scholars cultivates and supports a highly-engaged, multidisciplinary and multicultural community of graduate students from across Stanford University. Knight-Hennessy Scholars admits up to 100 applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a multidisciplinary and multicultural cohort, participate in up to three years of KHS's leadership program, and receive full funding for up to three years of your graduate studies at Stanford. Candidates from any country may apply. Candidates must submit two applications to be considered; one to Knight-Hennessy Scholars by October 8, 2025 and one to the graduate degree program by December 2, 2025. Visit the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Website to learn more.