During Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, matriculated students are generally expected to register at the full-tuition rate, with some exceptions.
Stanford charges several mandatory and optional student fees, including ASSU fees that fund student organizations, a quarterly Campus Health Service Fee for Vaden Health Center services, and required health insurance unless waived. Additional special fees may apply for specific programs or services (such as orientation, document processing, late study lists, labs, or dissertations), with most billed per quarter or as one-time charges depending on the fee type.
By enrolling at Stanford, students agree to pay all tuition and fees on time, with charges managed through their student account and multiple payment options available. Late or unpaid balances may result in fees, financial holds, credit reporting, or collection actions, while refunds and billing access are handled electronically through designated systems.
Stanford offers need-based financial aid to undergraduates, meeting demonstrated need while expecting students and families to contribute and use outside resources, with aid calculated based on financial circumstances and cost of attendance. Eligibility is generally limited to the first four years (with some exceptions), and aid may be adjusted based on outside scholarships, enrollment status, and academic progress.
Stanford graduate students are funded through a mix of university support, external fellowships, and personal resources, with some students relying on loans or other funding to cover remaining costs.
Stanford guarantees up to five years of continuous funding for PhD and DMA students in good academic standing through a combination of fellowships and assistantships, ensuring financial support for degree completion without requiring students to obtain external funding or self-fund.
Coterm students are assigned to either the undergraduate coterm tuition group or the graduate coterm tuition group. The tuition group dictates a student's tuition rates, enrollment policies, access to some University services and benefits, and degree progress standards.
Students who withdraw from the University before the end of a term may be eligible to receive refunds of portions of their tuition under certain limited circumstances.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) provides funding for tuition, fees, books, and housing, with tuition paid directly to Stanford and other benefits paid to students, and may be supplemented by the Yellow Ribbon Program. At Stanford, VA benefits can be combined with financial aid (especially for undergraduates with demonstrated need) and do not affect eligibility for federal student loans.
Stanford participates in the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, which protects eligible students using VA Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 benefits from being penalized or restricted due to delayed VA payments. Covered individuals must provide required VA documentation and complete certification steps, but may still owe any difference between VA funding and total tuition/fees.
The Office of the University Registrar serves as the liaison between the University, its students, and the various federal, state, and local agencies concerned with Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits and Department of Defense (DoD) tuition assistance. Stanford certifies enrollment for eligible students in programs approved by the California State Approving Agency (CSAAVE) for VA education benefit use. All students eligible to receive Veterans education benefits while attending the University are urged to complete arrangements with the appropriate agency in advance of enrollment.
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