Stanford University 2024 Fully Funded Knight Hennessy Scholarship In USA

As you consider whether Knight-Hennessy Scholars is the right complement to your Stanford graduate studies, we invite you to explore why we exist, who we are, what we do, where we do it, and how we financially support you. We also encourage you to consider the benefits of joining a multidisciplinary and multicultural cohort.

A Multidisciplinary Cohort

Nearly 3,000 graduate students enroll at Stanford annually. Next year, more than 80 (growing to 100 over time) will be Knight-Hennessy scholars. Knight-Hennessy scholars span all seven schools at the university and bring a wide array of diverse academic experiences prior to enrolling at Stanford.  Knight-Hennessy scholars are surrounded by fellow Stanford graduate students solving complex problems from different disciplinary approaches.

A Multicultural Cohort 

Knight-Hennessy scholars have lived, studied, and worked in a wide array of communities and cities, colleges and universities, companies and organizations throughout the world. Knight-Hennessy scholars also bring varied cultural perspectives based on (but not limited to) sex and gender identity, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and more.  Each cohort includes a breadth of backgrounds, beliefs, lived experiences, and aspirations. This is a multicultural community united by independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and civic mindset.

• Table of Content
• About Stanford University
• Stanford University Knight Hennessy Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Stanford University Knight Hennessy Scholarship
• Requirements for Stanford University Knight Hennessy Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Stanford University Knight Hennessy Scholarship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Stanford University

Stanford University was founded in 1885 by California senator Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, “to promote the public welfare by exercising an influence in behalf of humanity and civilization.”

Stanford University Knight Hennessy Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Stanford University Knight Hennessy Scholarship

Knight-Hennessy scholars receive funding for up to three years for any graduate degree(s) at Stanford. This funding applies to the degree(s) to which scholars are preparing to enroll at the time of scholar selection.

During each of the first three years of graduate study, Knight-Hennessy scholars receive several types of funding:

• A fellowship applied directly to cover tuition and associated fees
• A stipend for living and academic expenses (such as room and board, books, academic supplies, instructional materials, local transportation, and reasonable personal expenses)
• A travel stipend intended to cover an economy-class ticket for one annual trip to and from Stanford

Additional funding specific to certain years:

• Newly enrolling scholars receive a one-time relocation stipend intended to offset some of the costs associated with relocation to the area and/or technology purchases.
• Scholars in their second and third years may apply for supplemental funds to support academic enrichment activities  (e.g., conference travel).?

Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) provides funding for the degree program listed in the initial KHS admission letter. Scholars who wish to enroll in an additional graduate program may apply to KHS to receive additional funding up to the maximum of three years. This additional funding is not guaranteed. 

If a scholar is admitted to a degree program that exceeds three years — such as an MD, PhD, or Stanford dual- or joint-degree program — then funding is based on the graduate degree program’s standard funding commitment. This varies by department and school, as indicated in the chart below. Please contact the graduate program with specific questions about their funding commitment. 

Requirements for Stanford University Knight Hennessy Scholarship Qualification

Knight-Hennessy Scholars has no restrictions based on age, college or university, field of study, or career aspiration. We encourage citizens and residents of all countries to apply.  We do not require applicants to seek endorsements from colleges, universities, or other institutions. 

There are two baseline eligibility requirements.

Requirement 1: Admission to Stanford

First, in addition to applying to Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS), you must apply to, be accepted by, and enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate degree program including, but not limited to, DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or PhD programs.  You must meet at least one of the following four conditions:

1. You are applying separately but concurrently to KHS and a full-time Stanford graduate degree program such that you will start both in the same year.
2. You have already been offered and deferred admission to a full-time Stanford graduate degree program, and will apply to KHS such that you will start both in the same year.
3. You are a current Stanford graduate student who will apply to add a second full-time Stanford graduate degree program, such that you will start both KHS and the new program in the same year.
4. You are a current Stanford PhD student in your first year of enrollment, and will apply to KHS such that you will start KHS in your second year of PhD enrollment.  

There are no quotas by discipline or program. Note that we will give priority consideration to those who will spend at least two years studying at Stanford.

Please note that a small number of Stanford graduate degree programs are not eligible for Knight-Hennessy Scholars:

• Applicants to the Honors Cooperative Program
• Applicants to the Master of Liberal Arts
• Applicants to the Doctor of Science of Law (JSD)
• Current Stanford students applying for coterminal graduate study
• Current Stanford PhD students adding an MA or MS degree in their current discipline

Requirement 2: Undergraduate Degree Date 

Second, you must have earned, in January 2017 or later, a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing.

For applicants who served in the military, we extend the eligibility window by two years in acknowledgement of longer service commitments; you must have earned your degree in January 2015 or later to enroll in 2024. Current college students are eligible if you will earn your first degree by September 2024. Within the eligibility window, we do not give preference based on recency of the degree.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Stanford University Knight Hennessy Scholarship

Our criteria clarify what we seek in your application, help you assess your alignment with our values, and prepare you to demonstrate the criteria in your application.

There is neither a typical nor a prototypical Knight-Hennessy scholar. Each cohort is diverse by design; no two candidates are equally strong across all criteria, and you may demonstrate different strengths in different ways. As we evaluate and select Knight-Hennessy scholars, we look for evidence of three criteria:

1. Independence of Thought

We seek visionary thinkers who are curious, open-minded, analytical, eager for cross-cultural perspective, and genuinely excited to boldly and creatively address  our world’s important challenges.

• Demonstrates intellectual ability and clear thinking
• Communicates clearly based on reflection and introspection
• Seeks out new knowledge, perspectives, and experiences
• Makes sense of ambiguous circumstances
• Generates ideas to solve problems

2. Purposeful Leadership

We seek courageous leaders who are ethical, decisive, resilient, driven to achieve meaningful results, and motivated to inspire others to effect positive change at scale.

• Achieves impactful results
• Confronts challenges with courage, persistence, and resilience
• Seeks to improve self and others
• Includes and inspires others to effect change
• Makes decisions in accordance with values

3. Civic Mindset

We seek collaborative community members who are humble, empathetic, trustworthy, oriented to act in service of others, and deeply passionate about contributing to the greater good.

• Demonstrates humility, kindness, integrity, and accountability
• Makes a habit of serving and helping others
• Thoughtful and considerate of others’ perspectives
• Embraces difference and celebrates diverse opinions and experiences
• Strives to make our world a better place

We find evidence of these selection criteria throughout your application and, if you are invited to participate, in your video statement and at Immersion Weekend. We look forward to getting to know you, including what you have done, who you are now, and what you aspire to do in the future.

Note: Knight-Hennessy Scholars recognizes that the Supreme Court on June 29, 2023, issued a ruling about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during the 2023-2024 admission cycle will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

KHS Application Deadline:
October 11, 2023, 1:00pm Pacific Time

Stanford Graduate Degree Program Deadline for KHS Applicants: No later than December 1, 2023
KHS applicants must apply to the graduate program by this date or the program’s standard deadline, whichever is earlier.

For more details visit: Stanford University website.