46% of recent Knight-Hennessy Scholars held non-U.S. passports. From 25+ countries. Zero citizenship restrictions. Here's everything internationals need to know.
Knight-Hennessy explicitly welcomes applicants from every country. Unlike Rhodes (which restricts to specific countries), Marshall (U.S. only), or Chevening (excludes UK citizens), KHS has no nationality requirements whatsoever. Your passport does not advantage or disadvantage your application.
Stanford issues I-20 form
After you accept both KHS and your Stanford program admission, Stanford's Bechtel International Center issues an I-20 form for F-1 student visa application.
Pay SEVIS fee and schedule interview
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee (~$350) and schedule a visa interview at your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Wait times vary significantly by country — some embassies have 2-3 month waits.
Visa interview
Present your I-20, proof of KHS funding, Stanford admission letter, and passport. With full KHS funding documented, financial proof is straightforward. Most Stanford-bound students are approved.
Arrive and register
You can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before your program start date. Stanford's Bechtel Center provides orientation specifically for international students.
This is where international students face a significant and often unexpected financial issue. Scholarship funds exceeding tuition (primarily the living stipend) may be considered taxable income under U.S. tax law.
Tax treaty countries: If your home country has a tax treaty with the U.S. (UK, Germany, India, China, Japan, and many others), you may be exempt from some or all tax on the stipend portion. The specific exemption varies by treaty.
Non-treaty countries: If your country has no U.S. tax treaty (many African nations, some Asian countries), Stanford may be required to withhold 14% of the stipend for federal tax. This reduces your take-home stipend meaningfully.
Stanford's Bechtel International Center and the university tax office can help navigate this. Get professional tax advice before making financial plans based on the full stipend amount.
The Bay Area is one of the most expensive regions in the U.S. The KHS stipend is designed for a comfortable graduate student lifestyle, but not luxury. A car is not necessary — Stanford's campus is bike-friendly and served by the Caltrain commuter rail.
Stanford guarantees housing for graduate students for the first year. After that, on-campus housing is available but competitive. Off-campus housing in Palo Alto and surrounding areas is expensive ($2,000-$3,000+/month for a studio or shared apartment).
Stanford's student health insurance is included in your enrollment. For international students, this provides coverage comparable to good employer-sponsored plans in the U.S. Family members require separate coverage.
As an F-1 student, you can apply for a Social Security Number if you have on-campus employment or OPT/CPT authorization. You'll need an SSN for tax filing and banking.
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