Harvard University Scholarship

The Griffin Financial Aid Office provides need-based aid that allows Harvard to admit the best students regardless of their ability to pay. Aid is entirely need-based — there are no academic "merit" scholarships — and eligibility is determined in the same way for every admitted student, domestic or international. Harvard commits to meeting 100% of a family's demonstrated financial need for all four years, and 100% of students can graduate debt-free.

Families earning $100,000 or less (with typical assets): pay nothing — aid covers all billed expenses (tuition, fees, food, housing), plus a $2,000 start-up grant (first year), health insurance if needed, travel between campus and home, winter gear, event fees, and a $2,000 launch grant (junior year)

Families earning up to $200,000 (with typical assets): "Free Tuition Plus" — aid covers full tuition, plus additional costs (fees, food, housing) based on individual circumstances

Families earning above $200,000: "Tailored Financial Aid" — many still qualify depending on individual circumstances; aid staff work individually with each family

Students are expected to cover $3,500/year in personal expenses, typically through work-study (about two-thirds of students work during the academic year)

Available equally to international/foreign students — though they aren't eligible for federal funding, Harvard has its own job and scholarship funds for them

Must be an admitted Harvard College student (undergraduate)

Aid is based entirely on demonstrated financial need — there is no minimum GPA or merit criterion for aid eligibility

Open to all admitted students regardless of nationality or citizenship status — international students are assessed identically to domestic students