Harvard College Tuition & Costs

Understanding Financial Aid at Harvard College

Once you are admitted to Harvard, we work closely with your family to ensure you can afford to come here. Because we seek the best students regardless of their ability to pay, we are committed to meeting 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all four years. International students receive exactly the same financial aid as Americans. In fact, approximately 70 percent of our students receive some form of aid, and about 60 percent receive need-based scholarships and pay an average of $12,000 per year. Twenty percent of parents pay nothing. No loans required.

The Basics

• 55% of our undergraduates receive need-based Harvard scholarships.
• 20% of our parents have total incomes less than $65,000 and are not expected to contribute.
• Families with incomes between $65,000 and $150,000 will contribute from 0-10% of their income, and those with incomes above $150,000 will be asked to pay proportionately more than 10%, based on their individual circumstances.
• Families at all income levels who have significant assets are asked to pay more than those in less fortunate circumstances.
• Two-thirds of students work during the academic year.
• 16% of the roughly 6,600 current undergraduate students are Pell Grant recipients.

Eligibility for aid

Our generous financial aid program- bolstered by the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative, which seeks to increase low- and middle-income students' awareness of Harvard's affordability- aims to make Harvard accessible to any student who is admitted.

Use our Net Price Calculator to quickly estimate your aid package and expected family contribution

A variety of options

In addition to need-based scholarships, we also offer financing options such as a parent monthly payment plan, various loan programs, and the opportunity to pre-pay tuition for four years at your freshman year rate.

We will also help you find alternative sources of financial assistance, like research grants and student employment in our libraries, dining halls, museums, and academic departments.

Here to help

Our staff is available year-round to speak with you. If your family encounters adverse financial changes, we will also help you submit an appeal for a reconsideration of your award.

Get more details on our financial aid fact sheet.

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