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the USA Closing soon Closes 1 November 2026

Tata Scholarship for Students from South Asia

Established in 2008 from a USD 25 million endowment by the Tata Education and Development Trust, the Tata Scholarship Fund supports undergraduate students from South Asia at Cornell University who would otherwise be unable to afford the cost. Up to 20 scholars are funded at any one time across all four years. Sri Lankan citizens, alongside Indian, Bangladeshi, and Nepali applicants, are eligible. The scholarship effectively guarantees a 100% need-met package for the small group of South Asian admits with the most demonstrated financial need — bridging the gap between Cornell's standard aid budget and the full cost of attendance.

Early Decision closes 1 November 2026; Regular Decision deadline 2 January 2027 for Fall 2027 entry

Cornell University

External Organization-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Coverage

100% of Demonstrated Need

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Duration

4-Year Bachelor's

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Eligibility

South Asian Citizens (Sri Lanka Included)

info How this award actually works

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This is a separate, highly competitive application

Awards from external organisations like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.

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Who awards it

Cornell University — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.

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What it covers

Full Demonstrated Need Met (up to USD 90,000/yr). Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.

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Where we come in

We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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South Asian Citizenship

You must be a citizen of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, or Bhutan. Sri Lankan citizens are explicitly eligible since the fund's establishment.

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Admitted to Cornell University

You must first be admitted to Cornell's undergraduate class. Cornell is need-aware for international applicants, so demonstrated financial need is considered alongside academic credentials.

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High Demonstrated Need

The Tata Scholarship specifically targets the most financially constrained South Asian admits. Household income generally well under USD 100,000/year and limited family assets are typical.

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Indian Secondary Education or Equivalent

Originally designed for Indian school-leavers but extended to other South Asian citizens — including Sri Lankan A/L, IB, and Cambridge International A Levels graduates. International school qualifications are equally accepted.

account_tree Application Process

Apply to Cornell

Submit your Cornell undergraduate application via the Common App or QuestBridge by the relevant deadline. Indicate clearly that you intend to apply for financial aid (this triggers Tata consideration).

Submit aid forms (CSS Profile + ISFAA equivalent)

Complete the CSS Profile, Cornell's International Student Certification of Finances, parent income documents (translated if needed), and tax returns or bank statements. Submit by the financial-aid deadline that mirrors your admission deadline.

Admission + aid review

Cornell's admissions and financial aid offices review applications. South Asian admits with high demonstrated need are automatically considered for Tata — no separate Tata application.

Award notification

Tata recipients are notified alongside the admission and aid decisions in March-April for Regular Decision, or mid-December for Early Decision. The award is renewable annually based on family circumstances.

Why Tata at Cornell?

Cornell is an Ivy League university ranked in the world top 20, with one of the largest US graduate research programmes. The Tata Scholarship turns Cornell from one of the most expensive options into one of the most affordable — for a tiny, highly competitive South Asian cohort.

#16

QS World Ranking 2026

~20

Tata Scholars in Residence at Any Time

USD 25M

Initial Endowment from Tata Trusts

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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