About this opportunity
Harvard's headline cost is over $80,000 a year, but starting with the 2025-26 academic year, students from families earning $100,000 or less have every billed expense covered -- tuition, housing, food, health insurance, and travel -- and students from families earning up to $200,000 pay no tuition at all. The same income-based formula applies to admitted international students, on the same basis as domestic students.
Harvard's aid formula treats international and domestic applicants identically once admitted, though the admission process itself can be need-aware in a way the domestic process is not, for a portion of the applicant pool -- confirm the current cycle's specific policy directly with Harvard College Admissions.
The Harvard College Financial Aid is a fully funded scholarship offered by Harvard College for applicants heading to United States.
Who should apply?
This may be a fit if the following points describe you. Always use the official criteria as the final check.
- Admitted undergraduate applicants, domestic or international, evaluated on the same income-based formula
- Families earning $100,000 or less: full cost covered
- Families earning $100,000-$200,000: full tuition covered, other aid based on individual circumstances
- Families above $200,000: many still receive some aid based on individual review
What the opportunity may offer
- Families under $100K: tuition, room, board, health insurance, and travel fully covered, plus $2,000 start-up and launch grants
- Families $100K-$200K: full tuition covered
- No loans required -- aid is grant-based
- Aid recalculated annually as family circumstances change
Required documents
- Harvard's standard undergraduate admission application materials
- CSS Profile and supporting financial documentation
- Certified translations of non-English financial documents where relevant
- Any additional materials requested by the Griffin Financial Aid Office
Application process
- Review Harvard's official financial aid overview for current income bands
- Confirm which forms apply to your citizenship and family situation
- Submit admission application and financial aid forms together
- Monitor Griffin Financial Aid Office communications closely
- Review your aid letter carefully before accepting; contact the office with questions
Before you apply
- □Check the deadline in your own time zone
- □Confirm that you meet every eligibility condition set by Harvard College
- □Prepare your 4 required documents in the format asked for
- □Ask referees early and share the official instructions
- □Review the official source once more before submitting
Deadline notes
Financial aid forms move on the same timeline as the undergraduate admission cycle -- confirm current Early Action/Regular Decision dates directly with Harvard College Admissions.
Frequently asked questions
How much financial aid does Harvard actually give international students?
Is Harvard need-blind for international applicants?
What counts toward the $100,000 and $200,000 income thresholds?
Does Harvard offer merit scholarships separate from need-based aid?
Can my aid change after my first year?
Programme details can change. Check the original listing before you prepare or submit an application.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-20UShireZone is not affiliated with Harvard College. We never charge applicants to apply. Always verify details and submit through the official website.