It has been suggested that a foliar application of nitrogen (N) to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings could partially offset some of the deleterious effects of early season water deficit. However, very little research has been conducted in this area. Therefore a growth chamber study was initiated to investigate the benefits of foliar N to cotton seedlings during a drought. Plant response was monitored by frequent measurements of components of water potential, stomatal resistance, transpiration, and leaf extension. Leaf area, plant height, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight were quantified the day before the onset of water deficit stress, on the day spray treatments were applied, and four days after spraing. The only significant effect was due to whether the treatments were well watered or water deficient for components of water potential, stomatal resistance, transpiration, and leaf elongation. Plant height at day eight of the stress was increased with a foliar-urea application above the control, however, a water spray at the same total volume had the same effect. The results from this study showed that although there was a slight increase in plant height under drought conditions, due primarily to the water applied with the urea, there was no increased drought tolerance from foliar-urea application. Therefore the potential benefit from such an application is not sufficient to warrant its usage.