Tata Study Scholarships 2026: Eligibility & Application Process

Tata scholarships for studying abroad are offered through two Tata Trusts programmes and one Cornell University endowment funded by a Tata trust, so each follows its own selection and funding terms.

Here is a quick look at the scholarships Tata offers for students who want to study abroad.

1. J.N. Tata Endowment
2. Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship
3. Cornell University Tata Scholarship

1. J.N. Tata Endowment

The J.N. Tata Endowment is the oldest of the three Tata scholarships for study abroad. It was established in 1892 and has funded over 5,800 Indian students so far, including former President K.R. Narayanan and astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar. 

A guarantor, usually a parent or spouse, is mandatory for the loan, while no collateral (like property, fixed deposits, or gold) is required. Selection for J.N. Tata Endowment takes place in four phases: application, an online aptitude test, a subject-expert interview and final selection.

2. Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship

The Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship was established in 1933 in memory of Lady Meherbai D Tata, a sportswoman and advocate for women's empowerment. It selects around 10 women each year through a personal interview with the Board of Trustees in Mumbai. 

Unlike an open online form, applicants must request the application form directly from the Trust by email. This scholarship is currently closed for the 2026-27 cycle, though it typically reopens for a fresh application window each year.

3. Cornell University Tata Scholarship

The Cornell University Tata Scholarship is supported by a $25 million endowment set up by the Tata Education and Development Trust and supports around 20 Indian scholars at Cornell at any given time. 

Eligible students do not need to submit a separate scholarship form, as they are considered through Cornell's regular admission and financial aid process. Funding continues for up to eight semesters, or ten semesters for students enrolled in the five-year Architecture programme.

Financial documents carry the most weight across all Tata scholarships, from the guarantor’s income proof for the J.N. Tata Endowment to a breakdown of tuition fees and funding sources for Lady Meherbai and the CSS Profile for Cornell.

Below, we have listed the complete documents required for the Tata scholarship for study abroad.

1. J.N. Tata Endowment

The J.N. Tata Endowment collects documents in three stages, so only your identity, academic, and SOP documents are needed when you first apply.

• Photograph: Passport-size photo, 500 × 500 pixels, in JPEG format.
• Aadhaar card: Masked copy of your Aadhaar card.
• Passport: First and last pages of your passport.
• Academic records: Mark sheets or transcripts for each academic qualification.
• Statement of Purpose: SOP of up to 800 words, with no fixed template.
• Work documents (for working professionals): Work experience certificate from your previous employer, appointment letter from your current employer, and latest filed ITR or 3 months’ pay slips.
• Interview-stage documents: Admission letter, final-year mark sheets and degree certificate, test scorecards such as GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS or PTE, scholarship, ranking or prize certificates (if any), extracurricular certificates, research or project work, resume, and cost of education/source of funds.
• Letter of Recommendation: One LoR addressed to ‘The Trustees of the J N Tata Endowment’, from a professor or employer.
• Final-selection documents: Your PAN card, a cancelled cheque or latest bank statement, and the guarantor’s PAN card, masked Aadhaar card, passport-size photo, and income proof or latest ITR.

2. Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship

As the Lady Meherbai scholarship covers only part of your costs, most of its documents focus on your course details and how you plan to fund the rest of the expenses.

• Course details: Course and specialisation you plan to pursue, with its duration.
• University admission: Offer letter or proof of application to a university abroad.
• Tuition fee details: Fees for each university you have applied to, presented in a table.
• Funding plan: Proof of funding for your education, presented in a table.
• CV: Resume or biodata outlining your current academic and work profile.
• University financial aid: Any scholarship, bursary, assistantship, fee waiver or other financial concession received from the university, where applicable.
• Proof of funds (if shortlisted): A document showing your financial capacity.

3. Cornell University Tata Scholarship

The Cornell Tata Scholarship has no separate document list, since Cornell uses what you submit for admission and financial aid.

• Financial aid form: Complete the CSS Profile as part of Cornell’s financial aid application.
• Admission documents: Submit your academic records with your Cornell undergraduate admission application.
• Family financial information: Documents showing your family’s financial need.
• Additional documents: Any further financial or supporting documents Cornell requests during its financial aid process.

The application process for a Tata scholarship to study abroad differs by scholarship, so you must follow the correct portal, forms, and selection process for your chosen programme.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility and Choose the Right Scholarship

Check your course level, academic qualifications, and other eligibility requirements before applying. J.N. Tata Endowment is for postgraduate, PhD, and postdoctoral studies abroad, Lady Meherbai is for eligible Indian women pursuing Master's studies overseas, and the Cornell Tata Scholarship is for eligible Indian undergraduate students at Cornell.

Step 2: Apply Through the Correct Portal

For J.N. Tata Endowment, register online at jntataendowment.org during the January to March window. For Lady Meherbai, email igpedulmdtet@tatatrusts.org with your course, university, and funding details to request the application link.

Cornell applicants must apply for undergraduate admission and indicate that they want need-based financial aid.

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

Enter your academic, personal, and other required details carefully and check every field before submitting. J.N. Tata Endowment allows eligible students to apply even if they have not yet secured admission, but you must update your admission status once you receive an offer.

Step 4: Submit the Required Forms and Documents

For JNTE, write a plagiarism-free SOP of up to 800 words covering your academic goals and choice of course. For Cornell, complete the CSS Profile using Cornell's institutional code 2098 so the university can check your financial need for financial aid.

Step 5: Complete the Assessment or Interview Process

Prepare for the selection stage after submitting your application. J.N. Tata Endowment conducts an aptitude test followed by an interview with a subject expert, while Lady Meherbai selects candidates through its interview process. Cornell does not have a separate Tata Scholarship test or interview, as eligible students are considered through the university's admission and financial aid process.

Step 6: Check Your Result and Complete the Final Formalities

Monitor your email and application portal for updates after the assessment stage. If selected for the J.N. Tata Endowment, complete the required loan and guarantor formalities; Cornell applicants can track their financial aid process and will be contacted if additional documentation is required.

 The selection process for Tata study abroad scholarships starts with application screening, followed by an aptitude test and interview for the J.N. Tata Endowment, a trustee interview for Lady Meherbai, and a financial need review for Cornell.

1. Selection Process of J.N. Tata Endowment 

• Preliminary screening: Your application is screened against the J.N. Tata Endowment's eligibility requirements and the information submitted in your application. 
• Online aptitude test: Shortlisted applicants are invited to take an online aptitude test. The test checks your reasoning and analytical ability rather than your subject-specific knowledge.
• Subject-expert interview: Candidates who clear the aptitude test are invited for an interview with subject experts from prestigious Indian and overseas institutions. The interview assesses your academic and professional goals, commitment to your chosen field and suitability for the proposed course.
• Final selection: The Endowment announces the final awards by email after the interview stage. For the 2026 cycle, awards were scheduled to be announced in mid-July. Selected scholars then complete the required final documentation and loan formalities.

2. Selection Process of Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship 

• Application screening: The Trust reviews the information and documents submitted by applicants, including their course, university, and funding details. Only candidates shortlisted by the Trustees move to the interview stage.
• Academic and profile evaluation: The priority for this scholarship is given to fields related to social work, social welfare, education, women and children, healthcare, and other specified areas.
• Board of Trustees interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview with the Board of Trustees in Mumbai. For the 2026-27 cycle, shortlisted candidates were expected to receive an email by the end of June or early July.
• Final selection and financial verification: The Trustees have discretion over shortlisting and awarding the scholarship. Selected candidates must complete the required financial and other documentation before the scholarship is finalised.

3. Selection Process of Cornell University Tata Scholarship

• Admission review: There is no separate Tata Scholarship application. Eligible Indian students must first be offered admission to Cornell as undergraduate students.
• Financial aid application: To be considered for the Tata Scholarship, eligible applicants must apply for financial aid and complete the CSS Profile. Cornell's institutional code for the CSS Profile is 2098.
• Tata Scholarship consideration: Cornell considers eligible Indian undergraduates who have attended secondary school in India, received an undergraduate admission offer, and qualify for need-based financial aid. There is no separate Tata Scholarship interview or application form.
• Award notification: If selected, the Tata Scholarship forms part of the student's Cornell financial aid award. Cornell also contacts international applicants if additional financial documents are required through IDOC.

Treating all Tata scholarships as one common application can lead to missed requirements or the wrong application route. Check the scholarship's study level, funding type, and application process first, then prepare your documents around its specific requirements. Most importantly, remember that the J.N. Tata Endowment is a loan, while the other two follow different funding models.

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