Stanford MSx: Financial Aid Webinar

Quick Overview

Stanford's GSB financial aid operates strictly on a need-based philosophy, meaning merit aid is not offered, and the average fellowship award for the MSx program is approximately $50,000 for the 12-month program, which about 30% of students qualify for.

Key Points: The total estimated cost of attendance for the Stanford MSx program is just above $200,000 for single students and about $240,000 for married students for the 12-month program. Financial aid at the GSB is strictly need-based; Liz Lamas stated, "We do not offer merit-based aid" because the university believes everyone admitted is special and deserves underlying fairness and equity. The application for financial aid begins only after a candidate is admitted to the program, and the award letter is issued prior to accepting the admissions offer. The average fellowship award for the MSx program is around $50,000, and approximately 30% of MSx students qualify for aid. For international students, exploring financial resources like scholarships and loans from their home country should be their number one priority before applying to the GSB. The MSx program qualifies as a STEM program, allowing international students who consider staying in the US after graduation to apply for OPT eligibility for potentially up to three years. Liz Lamas emphasized that applicants should start applying for external scholarships immediately, as many opportunities award students a year in advance, and waiting until after admission means missing most opportunities.

Context: This transcript captures a Financial Aid Webinar for the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) MSx program, featuring Katherine Lilygren and Liz Lamas, the Director of Financial Aid for the GSB. The discussion centers on demystifying the cost of attendance, explaining the need-based financial aid philosophy, detailing the application process, and outlining various funding sources available to prospective students, including domestic and international applicants.