Stanford
Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education

For Directors of Graduate Admissions

New School of Engineering students meet at the President's Reception during New Graduate Student Orientation.
New School of Engineering students meet at the President's Reception during New Graduate Student Orientation.

Thank you for your continued dedication to graduate education at Stanford and your adaptability as you continue to support our faculty and students in this admission season. Below, please find important information and resources to support the success of your admissions cycle.

Thank you again for your dedication to ensuring that our students have the best possible educational experiences. 

Best wishes for a successful admissions season.

Graduate Admissions: Info and Resource Support from VPGE

1. 2026-27 VPGE-Administered Fellowship Stipend Level

The 2026-27 stipend for VPGE-administered fellowships is set at $58,500 annually, $14,625 per quarter.

 

2. 2026-27 University Minimum Assistantship Level 

In November 2024, Stanford and the Stanford Graduate Workers Union-United Electric Local 1043, negotiated and finalized a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Under the terms of this agreement the Minimum Assistantship rate, for a 50% appointment, will be:

  • Academic Year 2024-2025 (effective January 1, 2025): $54,952 annualized ($13,513 per quarter)
  • Academic Year 2025-2026: $56,348 annualized ($14,087 per quarter)
  • Academic Year 2026-2027: $58,460 annualized ($14,615 per quarter)

 

3. Conveying Stanford’s Distinctive University Resources and Opportunities

Offer letters and other communications with admits provide key opportunities to help students understand how the degree program will support them and whether Stanford University is a place where they can envisage their success. 

To help you make the best use of these opportunities, here are some key attributes of the Stanford community you may choose to convey in your communications.

Stanford Community Key Attributes

  • One University
    • Graduate education in all seven schools on one campus that supports the inclusion of a diverse set of voices, a community that treats everyone with respect, and opportunities to ensure that students reach their full potential.
  • Welcoming, Excellent, and Inclusive Community
  • Support for Graduate Student Growth, Development, and Learning

VPGE Resources for Recruitment Communications

 

4. Support for Graduate Recruitment

The VPGE Graduate Recruitment Portal provides tools, information, and promising practices that support graduate recruitment by schools, programs and departments. These include:

  • a curated set of promising practices from throughout the Stanford community, including strategies to improve admissions and persuade admits to attend Stanford;
  • data dashboards showing historical enrollment and admissions data to support long-term planning;
  • and planning tools to improve recruitment.

 

5. Graduate Student Fellowships for New Admits 

By Nomination from Degree Program

 

6. Graduate Student Funding Opportunities for Current Students 

By Student Application

By Nomination from School Dean’s Office

Information about the nomination process will be shared with school staff during the first week of February.

 

7. Professional Development Programs for Graduate Students

The VPGE office partners with schools, degree programs, and many other units on campus to offer workshops and experiences for students to build their academic and professional skills.