Scholarships

Scholarships and financial aid for Harvard students


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Scholarships for Harvard University

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Key takeaways about Harvard scholarships and financial aid

  • Many students pay far less than Harvard’s published cost thanks to the university’s need-based financial aid program.
  • Families with annual incomes below $100,000 generally aren’t expected to make a parent contribution, and many families earning up to $200,000 may qualify for full tuition coverage.
  • Harvard does not offer merit scholarships, so financial aid is based on your family’s financial circumstances rather than grades, test scores, or extracurricular activities.
  • Outside scholarships can work alongside Harvard financial aid and may help lower your out-of-pocket costs even further.
  • Applying for scholarships throughout college—not just before freshman year—can help reduce future borrowing and college costs.

Harvard scholarships: Where do I start?

Harvard University is one of the most recognizable colleges in the world. It’s also a school with a published cost that can make students and families pause.

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One of the biggest misconceptions about Harvard is that only wealthy families can afford to attend. In reality, Harvard’s financial aid program is designed to make the university accessible to students from a wide range of financial backgrounds.

Harvard’s financial aid is need-based, not merit-based. The school uses need-blind admissions, bases aid on need rather than merit, and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students.

Private scholarships can play an important role, too. Outside awards may help cover expenses beyond what institutional aid covers and reduce what students and families need to contribute out of pocket.

This guide explains how Harvard scholarships and financial aid work, where private scholarships fit into the picture, and how students can build a practical strategy to make Harvard more affordable.

What scholarships and financial aid does Harvard offer?

Harvard’s financial aid system looks different from what many students expect. Instead of awarding merit scholarships, Harvard builds aid packages based on each family’s demonstrated financial need.

Financial aid for Harvard students may include:

  • Harvard scholarship and grant funding
  • Federal grants, such as the Pell Grant, for eligible students
  • Student employment
  • Outside scholarships
  • Optional student or parent borrowing

Harvard scholarship and grant aid

Harvard bases financial aid on financial need, not merit. The university meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all four years of undergraduate study.

  • Families with annual incomes below $100,000 generally aren't expected to make a parent contribution toward educational costs.
  • Families with annual incomes up to $200,000 may qualify to have tuition fully covered through financial aid, depending on their circumstances.
  • Families with incomes above $200,000 may still qualify for aid based on their overall financial situation.

How Harvard determines financial need

Harvard determines financial aid eligibility based on factors such as:

  • Family income
  • Assets
  • Household expenses
  • Other financial circumstances

Because every family's situation is different, it's important to use Harvard's net price calculatorand complete all required financial aid forms to estimate your potential aid package.

Harvard financial aid at a glance

Harvard’s financial aid program combines institutional scholarship funding, grants, employment opportunities, and outside resources to help students cover educational expenses.

Aid type Based on? Repayment required?
Harvard scholarships and grants Financial need No
Federal Pell Grant Financial need No
Student employment Financial need No
Private scholarships Varies No
Harvard loans Financial need Yes
Federal loans Financial need Yes
Private loans Creditworthiness Yes

How do outside scholarships affect Harvard financial aid?

Outside scholarships can be used alongside Harvard financial aid, although Harvard may adjust portions of a student’s financial aid package depending on the scholarship amount and current institutional policies.

Students should report outside scholarship awards to Harvard’s financial aid office and review current scholarship coordination guidelines.

Even when a student receives a lot of aid from the school, outside scholarships may help reduce what you're expected to pay, lower educational costs, or reduce future borrowing.

Does Harvard offer merit scholarships?

No. Harvard does not offer institutional merit scholarships based on grades, test scores, athletic ability, leadership activities, or extracurricular achievements.

Instead, Harvard focuses on need-based financial aid.

Merit scholarships vs. need-based aid

Aid type How it works Does Harvard award it?
Merit scholarships Awarded based on talent, academics, athletics, leadership, or other accomplishments No, not through Harvard institutional aid
Need-based aid Awarded based on family financial need Yes
Private scholarships Awarded by outside organizations; requirements vary Students can apply outside Harvard

Private scholarships for Harvard students

Private scholarships for Harvard students can help cover education-related expenses and may reduce what students and families need to pay out of pocket.

It’s smart to understand your Harvard financial aid package first. But many students are surprised by how much scholarship funding exists outside the university.

Research from Sallie Mae’s "How America Pays for College 2025" shows that 70% of families who didn’t use scholarships never applied. That means many students may be missing opportunities simply because they never start the process.

National scholarships

National scholarships are available to students across the country and may focus on academics, leadership, community service, career goals, personal interests, or volunteer experience.

Massachusetts scholarships

Local and state-based Massachusetts scholarships can be especially valuable because they often receive fewer applications than large national programs. Look for opportunities from community foundations, local businesses, civic organizations, professional associations, and nonprofit groups.

Field-of-study scholarships

Students pursuing specific majors may qualify for scholarships tied to their academic interests and future careers.

Popular categories include STEM scholarships, business scholarships, healthcare scholarships, education scholarships, public service scholarships, and arts and humanities scholarships.

Diversity and identity-based scholarships

Many organizations offer scholarships designed to support students from specific communities or backgrounds.

Leadership and service scholarships

Because Harvard students often have strong records of leadership and community involvement, scholarships tied to public service, advocacy, volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement can be a good fit.

Use Scholly® Scholarships to discover opportunities that align with your interests, background, major, and goals.

Scholly Scholarships

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Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.

Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.

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How to apply for Harvard financial aid and scholarships

Applying for Harvard financial aid is easier when you know what forms you'll need and when to submit them. Harvard encourages students to apply for financial aid at the same time they apply for admission.

1. Complete the CSS Profile

The CSS Profile is required for students seeking Harvard financial aid and helps determine eligibility for institutional aid.

2. Submit financial documents

Harvard may request tax returns and other financial records through the College Board's IDOC service.

3. Complete the FAFSA

U.S. citizens and permanent residents should also complete the FAFSA® to determine eligibility for federal financial aid.

4. Meet financial aid deadlines

Submit all required forms by the appropriate deadline:

  • Restrictive Early Action: November 1
  • Regular Decision: February 1
  • Transfer Applicants: March 1

5. Review your financial aid offer

After reviewing your information, Harvard will provide a financial aid decision outlining your scholarship and grant eligibility.

6. Search for private scholarships

Outside scholarships can help lower college costs even if you receive Harvard financial aid. Tools like Scholly® Scholarships can help you find opportunities that match your background and interests.

7. Keep applying throughout college

Scholarships aren't only for incoming students. New opportunities become available throughout college, so it's worth continuing your search after enrollment.

Tips to reduce Harvard costs

A strong affordability strategy goes beyond financial aid alone. The goal is to reduce the amount you and your family need to cover while minimizing future borrowing.

Start with Harvard financial aid, then layer in outside scholarships, budgeting, and a realistic plan for expenses beyond tuition.

Applying to more scholarships means more chances to win
Save your best essays and answers, and reuse them whenever possible. If you meet the criteria and it feels like your kind of scholarship, go for it. Once you’ve got a system down, the applications get quicker and easier.

Look beyond tuition

Many students focus only on tuition, but housing, food, books, personal expenses, transportation, and health insurance can also affect your overall budget.

Apply for outside scholarships every year

New scholarship opportunities become available throughout college. Continuing to apply can help offset future costs.

Search locally

Local scholarships may receive fewer applications than national awards, which can improve your chances.

Match scholarships to your story

Instead of applying randomly, focus on scholarships connected to your major, interests, background, leadership experience, community involvement, or career goals. A better match often leads to stronger applications.

Don’t count yourself out

Many students assume they aren’t competitive scholarship candidates. In reality, many scholarship programs consider leadership, service, personal background, interests, and future goals—not just grades.

If you meet the criteria and can submit a thoughtful application, let the scholarship committee decide. Don’t reject yourself before you apply.

Can scholarships reduce student loan costs?

Yes. Scholarships help reduce the amount students and families need to cover through savings, income, payment plans, or student loans. Because scholarships generally don’t need to be repaid, every scholarship dollar earned is one less dollar that may need to come from borrowing.

Scholarship stacking can help lower costs

Scholarship stacking means combining multiple scholarships from different sources rather than relying on a single award.

For example:

Scholarship Award amount
Local scholarship $1,000
Private scholarship $2,500
Field-of-study scholarship $1,500
Total scholarship funding $5,000
Potential impact Up to $5,000 less to borrow or pay out of pocket

A few smaller scholarships can add up quickly and help lower overall college costs.

Scholarships for graduate students at Harvard

Graduate students at Harvard may find funding through fellowships, assistantships, departmental awards, professional school aid, employer tuition assistance, and private scholarships.

Because funding structures vary significantly across Harvard’s graduate and professional schools, students should review the resources available through their specific program.

Graduate fellowships

Fellowships may provide tuition support, living stipends, research funding, or a combination of all three. Some are awarded through Harvard schools and departments, while others come from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, or private sponsors.

Research assistantships

Graduate students in research-focused programs may receive funding through faculty-led research projects. Depending on the position, assistantships may include stipends, tuition support, or both.

Teaching assistantships

Some graduate students receive compensation and educational support through teaching roles. Opportunities vary by department and academic program.

Professional school funding

Students pursuing degrees in law, business, medicine, public policy, education, or other professional programs should check directly with their school for program-specific scholarships, grants, fellowships, and financial aid opportunities.

Private scholarships for graduate students

You can also search for outside graduate student scholarships based on degree program, career goals, professional interests, employer affiliations, identity-based eligibility, or research interests.

Private scholarships can help reduce out-of-pocket costs and may lessen the need for graduate student borrowing.

Find more scholarships with Sallie

Finding legit scholarships can take time. Scholarship matching tools like Scholly® Scholarships can make the process easier by helping you find opportunities that align with your background, interests, and goals.

Simplified applications can also help you keep momentum. Scholly® Easy Apply Scholarships lets you apply to multiple scholarships with one quick application. You can also enter Sallie’s $2,000 No Essay Scholarship in 2 minutes or less, and grad students can apply to Sallie’s $5,000 Grad No Essay Scholarship.

The goal isn’t to spend hundreds of hours searching for scholarships. It’s to find quality opportunities efficiently and keep applying consistently.

Additional scholarship resources

These resources can help you find opportunities based on your major, background, education level, and personal experiences.

Your next steps

Many students reduce college costs by combining Harvard financial aid, grants, student employment, and outside scholarships. The key is understanding Harvard’s need-based aid model first, then looking for additional scholarship opportunities that can help lower your remaining costs.

Start by completing Harvard’s financial aid requirements and reviewing your aid package carefully. Then expand your search to local scholarships, national awards, field-of-study scholarships, and scholarship search tools like Scholly® Scholarships.

Every application creates another opportunity to reduce college costs and potentially lower future borrowing.

FAQs about Harvard scholarships

What’s the easiest way to find scholarships for Harvard?

Start with Harvard’s financial aid process, then expand your search to private scholarships. Scholarship search tools such as Scholly® Scholarships can help match you with opportunities based on your background, interests, and goals.

Does Harvard really give free tuition?

Families with annual incomes up to $200,000 may qualify to have tuition fully covered through financial aid, depending on their circumstances. Families with higher incomes may also qualify for aid.

Are there scholarships specifically for Harvard freshmen?

Incoming students may be eligible for Harvard financial aid as well as private scholarships designed for first-year college students. Students should explore both institutional aid and outside scholarship opportunities.

Can graduate students get scholarships at Harvard?

Yes. Graduate students may receive fellowships, assistantships, school-based aid, professional program funding, employer tuition assistance, and private scholarships.

What scholarships can lower student loan borrowing at Harvard?

Any scholarship that does not need to be repaid may help reduce the amount students and families need to cover through savings, income, or loans. This includes Harvard grant aid, private scholarships, local scholarships, and national awards.

How do students combine Harvard aid with outside scholarships?

Students should report outside scholarship awards to Harvard. Depending on Harvard’s current policies, outside scholarships may be coordinated with institutional financial aid.

Where can Harvard students find no essay scholarships?

Students can explore Sallie’s $2,000 No Essay Scholarship and other simplified application opportunities through Scholly® Easy Apply Scholarships. Graduate students can also explore Sallie’s $5,000 Grad No Essay Scholarship.

Does Harvard offer merit scholarships?

No. Harvard does not offer institutional merit scholarships based on academics, athletics, leadership, or extracurricular achievements. Harvard’s institutional aid is based on financial need.

Is Harvard free for low-income students?

For some families, Harvard may cost significantly less than its published sticker price. Harvard says families with annual incomes below $100,000 are generally not expected to make a parent contribution, though eligibility depends on each family’s full financial circumstances.

What GPA do I need for Harvard scholarships?

There is no specific GPA requirement for Harvard’s institutional financial aid because aid is awarded based on financial need. Private scholarships may have their own GPA requirements.

How hard is it to get financial aid at Harvard?

Harvard says it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. Eligibility depends on a family’s financial circumstances rather than academic performance. Students from a wide range of income levels may qualify for aid, so it’s important to complete all required financial aid forms and review Harvard’s aid policies.

Can outside scholarships reduce Harvard costs?

Yes. Outside scholarships can help reduce educational costs and may lower what students and families need to contribute toward college expenses. Students should report outside scholarship awards to Harvard and review the university’s current policies regarding how outside funding interacts with institutional financial aid.

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