Harvard University offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid programs to help students with their educational costs. Here are the key components of Harvard’s financial aid offerings:
1. Harvard College Financial Aid
Harvard College, which is the undergraduate division of Harvard, offers need-based financial aid. The university follows a need-blind admission policy, meaning that the admissions process does not consider your ability to pay. Once admitted, the amount of aid awarded is based solely on your financial need.
- Need-Based Aid: Harvard’s financial aid is entirely need-based, meaning they do not offer merit scholarships. The aid packages include a combination of grants (which do not need to be repaid), student loans, and work-study jobs.
- Family Contribution: Harvard calculates your family’s expected contribution based on your financial situation. The rest of the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, and board) is covered through financial aid.
- No Loans for Families Earning Below a Certain Amount: For families with incomes below $85,000, Harvard offers aid packages that do not include loans. For families with incomes between $85,000 and $150,000, Harvard offers very affordable packages, typically requiring no more than 10% of the family income.
Important Criteria for Need-Based Aid:
- Application Process: To apply for financial aid, you need to submit the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- International Students: Harvard also offers need-based financial aid to international students, and they are considered on the same terms as U.S. students.
- Satisfactory Academic Progress: To continue receiving financial aid, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
2. Graduate Scholarships
Financial aid for graduate students varies by department and program. Some graduate programs at Harvard offer fellowships, scholarships, or teaching assistantships to support students. However, many graduate students are expected to secure their own funding through fellowships, research assistantships, or other external sources of funding.
- Harvard Kennedy School: For example, Harvard’s Kennedy School offers the Public Service Fellowship, which helps students who are planning careers in public service.
- Harvard Business School: The HBS Fellowship Program offers need-based aid, and they also have several fellowships based on merit, such as the Rockefeller Fellowship.
Most graduate programs at Harvard have their own financial aid processes, and applicants should check specific program websites for detailed information on funding opportunities.
3. External Scholarships
In addition to Harvard’s financial aid programs, students are encouraged to apply for external scholarships. Many private organizations, foundations, and governmental bodies offer scholarships to college and graduate students, and Harvard allows students to apply for and use these external funds.
Key Resources:
- Harvard College Financial Aid: https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid
- Graduate School Financial Aid: Check the specific program page.
If you’re applying for undergraduate or graduate programs at Harvard and need assistance with the financial aid process, be sure to contact the financial aid office directly for guidance on scholarships, grants, and fellowships that may be available for you.
Sure! Here’s a deeper look into the financial aid and scholarship opportunities at Harvard University, covering both undergraduate and graduate options.
1. Harvard College (Undergraduate) Financial Aid
Need-Blind Admission
- Harvard is need-blind for all U.S. and international applicants. This means that your ability to pay is not a factor in the admissions decision.
- Once admitted, the amount of financial aid you receive is based entirely on your family’s financial circumstances.
Financial Aid Package
- Grants: Harvard’s financial aid packages typically include grants that do not need to be repaid. These grants cover the difference between what your family is expected to contribute (calculated based on your financial situation) and the cost of attending Harvard.
- Student Loans: While some aid packages may include loans, Harvard has a policy of no loans for families earning less than $85,000 annually. For families earning more than this amount, there may be loans, but they are often minimal.
- Work-Study: Financial aid packages also include a work-study component, where students work part-time (typically 10-12 hours per week) in campus jobs to help cover expenses.
Harvard’s Financial Aid for Families with Varying Incomes
- Families with incomes below $85,000: These families typically pay $0 for tuition, and the student’s financial aid package does not include loans.
- Families with incomes between $85,000 and $150,000: Harvard expects these families to contribute a portion of their income, but the financial aid package remains generous. The contribution is usually around 10% of the family income.
- Families with incomes above $150,000: For higher-income families, the expected contribution increases, but it is still designed to be affordable based on family income.
Application for Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Harvard College:
- CSS Profile: This is a financial aid application required by Harvard, which collects detailed financial information from your family.
- FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is also required for U.S. students. This provides information about your family’s income and eligibility for federal aid.
International Students
- Harvard provides the same need-based financial aid to international students as it does to U.S. students. There are no additional scholarships specifically for international students, but the same financial aid process applies.
Special Circumstances
- Harvard also considers families with unusual or difficult financial situations on a case-by-case basis, and adjustments can be made to their financial aid packages based on these circumstances (e.g., medical expenses or multiple children in college).
2. Graduate Financial Aid at Harvard
Each Harvard graduate school or program has its own policies regarding financial aid, fellowships, and scholarships. Here’s a summary of the main options:
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS)
- Fellowships and Scholarships: Many graduate students receive fellowships, which are need-based or merit-based. These fellowships often cover full tuition, living expenses, and provide stipends.
- Teaching and Research Assistantships: GSAS offers assistantships in many departments, where students can work as teaching assistants or research assistants. These positions come with a stipend and often include full tuition coverage.
- External Fellowships: GSAS encourages students to apply for external fellowships (e.g., from the National Science Foundation, Ford Foundation) and also provides support for the application process.
Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)
- Public Service Fellowships: The Kennedy School offers several fellowships for students pursuing careers in public service. One such fellowship is the Public Service Fellowship which helps cover the costs of tuition.
- Need-Based Financial Aid: Like other schools at Harvard, HKS provides need-based financial aid based on the applicant’s financial need.
- Merit-Based Fellowships: HKS also has merit-based fellowships for applicants with exceptional academic or professional achievements in public service.
Harvard Business School (HBS)
- Need-Based Financial Aid: HBS offers need-based financial aid to its MBA students. Applicants are required to submit financial information to determine their eligibility for financial aid.
- Fellowships: HBS offers various fellowships, including Baker Scholars (for students who demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities) and Rockefeller Fellowships (for those pursuing careers in the nonprofit sector).
- External Scholarships: HBS also encourages students to seek external funding from organizations, and the school provides guidance on how to apply.
Harvard Law School (HLS)
- Harvard Law School Fellowships: HLS offers multiple fellowships for both domestic and international students. These include public service fellowships for students who wish to work in the legal field and benefit society.
- Loan Assistance: HLS offers a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) for graduates pursuing public interest law careers.
Harvard Medical School (HMS)
- Need-Based Aid: HMS provides need-based financial aid to students. Financial aid packages are tailored to individual circumstances.
- Harvard Medical School Fellowships: In addition to need-based aid, HMS offers various fellowships for students in specific areas of medicine and health, including research fellowships.
- External Funding: HMS students can also apply for external research grants and fellowships to support their education.
3. External Scholarships and Fellowships
While Harvard provides significant financial aid, there are numerous external scholarship opportunities available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Here are some prominent external scholarship programs:
- National Merit Scholarship Program: This is available for U.S. high school students who achieve high scores on the PSAT.
- Rhodes Scholarship: An international postgraduate award for students to study at the University of Oxford, but it is a competitive and prestigious award.
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship: A postgraduate scholarship that covers tuition and living expenses for students studying at the University of Cambridge.
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship: A fellowship for graduate students in the fields of science, engineering, and mathematics.
4. How to Maximize Your Financial Aid Opportunities
- Start Early: Be sure to start the financial aid application process early. Meet all deadlines for the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and any other required documents.
- Seek External Scholarships: In addition to Harvard’s own funding, apply for external scholarships and fellowships to supplement your financial aid package.
- Consult Harvard’s Financial Aid Office: If you have specific financial concerns or questions, reaching out to Harvard’s financial aid office can help clarify any doubts and provide guidance.
Conclusion
Harvard University offers substantial financial aid to students, especially those with demonstrated financial need. For undergraduates, the university offers a very generous financial aid program that reduces or eliminates student loans for families with low to middle incomes. For graduate students, financial aid options include fellowships, assistantships, and external funding opportunities. Each graduate program has its own set of resources, and students are encouraged to explore all available financial support options.
For more detailed and up-to-date information, it’s always best to consult Harvard’s official financial aid websites or contact the financial aid office directly.
