Harvard University Scholarships

Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the United States. Harvard consistently ranks among the top universities worldwide. It ensures that both domestic and international students can pursue their education without financial barriers through its need-based aid system, fellowships, assistantships, and research funding opportunities.While the cost of attendance exceeds $85,000 per year, Harvard ensures that finances are never a barrier to education by offering a wide range of scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs. From need-based assistance to fully funded fellowships, Harvard provides opportunities that make world-class education accessible to students from all backgrounds.

Features of Harvard Scholarships

  • Need-Based Financial Aid: Harvard does not award merit scholarships; all aid is based on demonstrated financial need.
  • Full Coverage Potential: Many students pay little or nothing; families earning under $85,000 annually are not expected to contribute toward tuition.
  • No Student Loans: Harvard financial aid is structured to minimize debt, focusing instead on grants and scholarships.
  • Global Eligibility: Both U.S. and international students are eligible for the same financial aid programs.
  • Renewable Aid: Scholarships and grants are reviewed annually and adjusted according to family financial circumstances.

Harvard Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

Harvard College offers one of the most generous financial aid systems worldwide. Over half of all undergraduates receive some form of scholarship or grant.

1. Harvard International Student Financial Aid

Type:

  • Need-based aid for international students.

Eligibility:

  • All admitted international undergraduates with demonstrated financial need.

Coverage:

  • Can cover up to 100% of tuition, housing, and living expenses depending on family income.

Funding Options:

  • Grants (not loans), reviewed annually.

Benefits:

  • Puts international students on equal footing with U.S. applicants, ensuring affordability for talented students regardless of origin.

2. Harvard Need-Based Financial Aid

Type:

  • Core undergraduate scholarship program.

Eligibility:

  • U.S. and international undergraduates based solely on financial need. Families earning less than $85,000 annually contribute nothing.

Coverage:

  • Full tuition, housing, and fees where required. Partial aid is available for higher-income families.

Scholarship Options:

  • Harvard Grants (non-repayable), Federal/State Aid (for U.S. students).

Benefits:

  • No merit criteria or GPA requirements—students are supported purely based on financial background.

3. Harvard Research and Innovation Grants

Type:

  • Funding for student-led research and innovation projects.

Eligibility:

  • Undergraduates who wish to pursue independent research, summer projects, or innovation challenges.

Coverage:

  • Partial to full funding for research costs, travel, and living expenses during projects.

Funding Options:

  • Provided by Harvard’s research centers and donor-supported funds.

Benefits:

  • Offers undergraduates a chance to work alongside top professors, access world-class labs, and gain hands-on innovation experience.

Types of Research Grants

  • Harvard College Research Program (HCRP): Provides stipends for undergraduates conducting independent research projects across disciplines.
  • Harvard Undergraduate Research Fund (HURF): Offers funding for students collaborating on faculty-led research initiatives.
  • Harvard Start-Up Grants: Supports students developing entrepreneurial ventures, from idea incubation to early-stage innovation.

Harvard Scholarships for Graduate Students

Graduate scholarships at Harvard vary by school and discipline. From MBAs to law and research, Harvard provides extensive funding to attract the best global talent.

1. Harvard Business School (MBA Scholarships)

Type:

  • Need-based and merit funding for MBA candidates.

Eligibility:

  • Admitted MBA students, both U.S. and international, demonstrating financial need.

Coverage:

  • Scholarships average $42,000 per year and can reach full tuition.

Scholarship Options:

  • HBS Fellowships, Global Opportunity Fellowships.

Funding Options:

  • Fellowships, employer sponsorships, and loan assistance.

Benefits:

  • Makes one of the world’s top MBA programs financially accessible while encouraging diversity.

2. Harvard Graduate Fellowships

Eligibility:

  • Graduate students across engineering, sciences, humanities, and social sciences.

Coverage:

  • Full tuition remission, stipends for living, and research funding.

Types:

  • Presidential Graduate Fellowships (highly prestigious).
  • Departmental Fellowships (field-specific funding).
  • Diversity Fellowships (supporting underrepresented groups).

Benefits:

  • Provides financial security, academic freedom, and professional networking opportunities.

3. Harvard Law School Scholarships

Type:

  • Need-based aid for Juris Doctor (JD) and LL.M. programs.

Eligibility:

  • Admitted law students with demonstrated financial need.

Coverage:

  • Partial to full tuition, depending on need.

Scholarship Options:

  • HLS Grant Program, Low-Income Protection Plan (loan repayment assistance).

Funding Options:

  • University grants and external law fellowships.

Benefits:

  • Reduces financial barriers for students pursuing legal careers in both the private and public sector.

4. Harvard Research and Teaching Assistantships

Type:

  • Work-based funding for graduate and doctoral students.

Eligibility:

  • Graduate students engaged in teaching undergraduates or contributing to research projects.

Coverage:

  • Tuition remission, living stipends, and professional development opportunities.

Funding Options:

  • Departmental budgets and faculty-led research grants.

Benefits:

  • Offers valuable teaching/research experience, mentorship, and direct involvement in groundbreaking studies.

How to Apply for Harvard University Scholarships

Applying for scholarships and financial aid at Harvard requires careful planning. Here’s a step-by-step guide for undergraduate and graduate students:

For Undergraduate Students

1. Apply for Admission

  • Submit your application through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or Universal College Application, along with the Harvard supplement.

2. Submit Financial Aid Forms

  • CSS Profile (required for all financial aid applicants, including international students).
  • FAFSA (for U.S. citizens and permanent residents).

3. Provide Supporting Documents

  • Parents’ income statements, tax returns, and bank statements.
  • Additional documents may be required for international students (translated into English where necessary).

4. Consider Research & Innovation Grants

  • Apply separately through Harvard College Research Program (HCRP), HURF, or Harvard Start-Up Grants if interested in research or entrepreneurship funding.

5. Receive Aid Package

  • Harvard will calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and provide a 100% need-based aid package that may include grants, stipends, and work-study opportunities.

For Graduate Students

1. Apply for Admission

  • Submit your application directly to the specific Harvard graduate school (e.g., Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, GSAS).

2. Indicate Financial Aid Interest

  • On the application, indicate if you are applying for financial aid, fellowships, or assistantships.

3. Submit Financial Aid Forms

  • CSS Profile (for international students).
  • FAFSA (for U.S. students).
  • Department-specific funding applications may also be required.

4. Explore Fellowship and Assistantship Options

  • Apply for Graduate Fellowships, Teaching Assistantships, or Research Assistantships through your department.
  • Students in professional schools (e.g., MBA, Law) should also check for school-specific scholarships.

5. Apply for Research & Innovation Grants

  • Graduate students can apply for dissertation completion fellowships, research grants, and entrepreneurship funding through Harvard centers and innovation labs.

6. Receive Funding Package

  • Most Ph.D. students receive a fully funded offer covering tuition, stipends, and health insurance. Professional degree students (MBA, Law, Medicine) typically receive partial scholarships, fellowships, or need-based aid.

With its world-leading financial aid system, research opportunities, and graduate fellowships, Harvard ensures that financial barriers do not stand in the way of talent and ambition.