Knight-Hennessy Funding 2027 – Possibly the Most Generous Scholarship

ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE

$200K–$450K+

Depending on degree type and duration

What's Covered

$

Full Tuition

100% of tuition and associated fees for the duration of your degree. Stanford tuition ranges from $67,000 to $90,000+ per year depending on the school and program.

Living Stipend

An annual stipend to cover living expenses in the Bay Area. The exact amount varies but is designed to cover housing, food, and daily expenses at a comfortable (not luxurious) level for the Stanford/Palo Alto area.

Travel Allowance

A travel stipend for academic and enrichment travel, including the King Global Leadership Program experiences. This covers both KHS-specific travel and some academic travel.

King Global Leadership Program

Full access to the enrichment program, including workshops, speaker series, global experiences, and community events. No additional cost.

Funding Duration by Degree Type

Degree	Duration	Est. Total Value
MBA (GSB)	2 years	~$250,000+
JD (Law)	3 years	~$350,000+
MD (Medicine)	Up to 3 years*	~$400,000+
PhD	Up to 3 years*	~$300,000+
MA/MS (1-year)	1 year	~$120,000+
MA/MS (2-year)	2 years	~$200,000+
Joint/Dual Degree	Up to 3 years*	~$350,000+

*KHS funds a maximum of 3 years. PhD students who take longer than 3 years would need alternative funding for remaining years. Stanford typically provides departmental funding for PhD students beyond the KHS period.

Tax Implications Warning

In the United States, scholarship funds that exceed tuition and required fees may be considered taxable income. This means your living stipend and some portion of your funding could be subject to federal and state income tax.

For international students, tax treaties between the U.S. and your home country may reduce the tax burden. However, students from countries without tax treaties (many African and some Asian nations) could face withholding of 14-30% on the stipend portion.

This is not tax advice. Consult a tax professional, ideally one experienced with graduate student scholarships. Stanford's Bechtel International Center can help international students navigate this.

What's NOT Covered

✕ Spouse or family expenses: If you bring a partner or children, their living expenses are not covered by KHS.
✕ Pre-enrollment expenses: Visa application fees, travel to the U.S. before enrollment, and pre-program costs are generally your responsibility.
✕ Health insurance beyond Stanford's plan: Stanford's student health insurance is included, but supplemental insurance for family members is not.
✕ Years beyond the funding cap: If your degree takes longer than the KHS funding period (typically 3 years max), you'll need alternative funding.
✕ Car, luxury housing, or lifestyle extras: The stipend covers a comfortable graduate student lifestyle in the Bay Area, not a luxurious one.

Next: Acceptance Rate Data

Year-by-year numbers, visual funnel, and how KHS compares to other prestige scholarships.

Acceptance Rate Data →