Cornell University Graduate School Funding 2025 | PhD & Master’s Scholarships, Fellowships, and Assistantships

Cornell University Graduate School Funding 2025: Overview

Cornell University provides comprehensive funding support for most graduate students, especially those pursuing doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees. Funding covers tuition, health insurance, and living stipends, while master’s students receive more limited aid but still have access to fellowships, assistantships, travel grants, and loans. Nearly 97% of Ph.D. students are fully funded, while master’s students may combine department support, fellowships, and educational loans to manage expenses.

Cornell University Graduate School Funding 2025: Eligibility

• Ph.D. students: Typically guaranteed full funding for the duration of their studies.

• Master’s students: Funding varies by department, degree type, and external awards.

• All graduate students: Eligible for fellowships, loans, travel grants, and assistantships (where applicable).

Cornell University Graduate School Funding 2025: Benefits

Funding may include:

• Full tuition coverage

• Student Health Plan (SHP)

• Living stipends (monthly or lump sum depending on award type)

• Conference travel grants (especially for Master’s students)

• Summer stipends in some programs

• Educational loans through federal and private sources

Fellowship & Assistantship Options

a) Assistantships

• Include stipend, tuition, and SHP.

• Require 15–20 hours/week of academic service.

• Types:

  • Teaching Assistantships (TAs) – teaching-related duties.

  • Research Assistantships (RAs) – research-related duties.

  • Graduate Assistantships (GAs) – administrative or academic tasks.

  • Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) – directly tied to student’s thesis; no strict weekly time limit.

b) Fellowships

• Merit-based awards that do not require teaching/research service.

• Cover tuition, stipend, and SHP.

• Funded by Cornell or external organizations (e.g., government agencies, foundations).

c) Stipends

• Help offset housing, food, and living costs.

• Fellowship stipends: Paid in lump sum at semester start (no taxes withheld, taxable income).

• Assistantship stipends: Paid semi-monthly via payroll (taxes withheld).

• Stipends typically increase annually with inflation and cost of living.

Application Requirements

• Admission application (funding details are often included in the admission letter).

• Fellowship or assistantship applications (where required).

• Supporting documents for external scholarships or loans (if applicable).

Selection Criteria

• Ph.D. students: Nearly all admitted students receive funding.

• Master’s students: Considered based on academic merit, department resources, and availability of awards.

• Fellowship recipients: Selected based on academic excellence, research potential, and competitiveness.

Application Process

1. Apply for admission to a graduate program at Cornell.

2. Review the admission letter for funding details.

3. Explore additional support:

   • Fellowships (Cornell-based or external).

   • Assistantships via departments.

   • Loans (federal or private).

4. Apply separately for travel grants or external fellowships if eligible.