Introduction
The Tata Scholarship at Cornell University was established through a $25 million endowment from the Tata Education and Development Trust, a philanthropic affiliate of India’s Tata Group. The scholarship supports outstanding Indian students who require financial assistance to pursue undergraduate studies at Cornell.
The scholarship is closely associated with Ratan Tata, a Cornell alumnus, former trustee, and one of India’s most respected business leaders. His contribution reflects a long-term commitment to expanding educational opportunities for Indian students globally.
How many Tata Scholars are selected?
The Tata Scholarship was created to ensure that talented Indian students can access a world-class education at Cornell regardless of their financial background. The fund supports approximately 20 scholars at any given time. Recipients receive funding for the full duration of their undergraduate program, subject to continued financial need.
Unlike merit-only scholarships, the Tata Scholarship is primarily need-based. Students must first secure admission to Cornell University and demonstrate significant financial need through Cornell’s financial aid process.
Who is eligible for the scholarship?
To receive the undergraduate scholarship, a recipient must be:
- a student who has attended secondary school in India
- offered admission to Cornell as an undergraduate student
- eligible for need-based financial aid.
There is no separate Tata Scholarship application form.
Preferred Areas of Study
The Tata Scholarship selection process gives preference to qualified students accepted to the following programs:
- College of Architecture, Art and Planning
- Cornell Duffield College of Engineering
- Applied Economics and Management major in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
- Majors across colleges in the biological sciences, physical sciences, and other sciences, as well as the social sciences.
Students applying to these programs may have an advantage during scholarship consideration, although admission remains highly competitive across all colleges.
What does the scholarship cover?
The Tata Scholarship is designed to support students with demonstrated financial need. Funding may help cover: tuition, housing, meals, books and other educational expenses, depending on the student’s financial aid package.
Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted undergraduate students who qualify for aid. Since the scholarship is integrated into Cornell’s broader financial aid system, the exact amount awarded varies from student to student.
Is the Tata Scholarship guaranteed until graduation?
As long as Tata Scholars have financial need, Cornell is committed to providing them with Tata Scholarship funding. With the exception of the five-year program in architecture, which requires ten semesters of full-time enrollment, Cornell will provide up to eight semesters of funding. Funding for additional semesters due to double majors or dual degrees is not available.
Application Process
Undergraduate applicants eligible for the Tata Scholarship will be considered if they complete the admission application and apply for financial aid. All applicants must apply for financial aid by completing the CSS Profile.
Conclusion
The Tata Scholarship at Cornell University represents a life-changing opportunity for Indian students who aspire to study at one of the world’s leading universities but require financial support.For students targeting Fall 2027 admission, the key is to prepare early, build a strong academic and extracurricular profile, submit a compelling Cornell application through Common App, and complete the financial aid process correctly and on time.
