Does Harvard Give Scholarships? Complete 2026 Guide

Does Harvard Give Scholarships?

Harvard University does give scholarships, but they do it differently from many other schools. Harvard does not offer merit-based scholarships for academic, athletic, or artistic talent. Instead, Harvard focuses entirely on need-based financial aid, ensuring that admitted students can attend regardless of their family’s financial situation.

Over 55% of Harvard undergraduates receive need-based scholarships, with many families paying nothing at all. Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, and most aid comes in the form of grants and scholarships that do not have to be repaid.

Harvard University Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Summary & Highlights

• Type: Need-based grants (do not need to be repaid)

• Who can apply: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA, and international students

• Amount: Packages can cover up to the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room, board, and personal expenses

• Repayment: None (it’s not a loan)

Scholarship Coverage: What Does Harvard Pay For?

When Harvard calculates your need, it builds a full Cost of Attendance budget that includes:

• Tuition and fees (approx. $56,000/year for 2025-2026)

• Room and board ($20,000/year)

• Books and personal expenses ($4,000–$5,000/year)

• Travel costs

Most Harvard aid packages substantially reduce what your family pays, sometimes to zero.

Who is Eligible for Harvard Scholarships?

Eligibility Criteria

Harvard’s financial aid is open to:

• U.S. citizens & permanent residents

• Undocumented & DACA students

• International students from any country

There are no rigid income cutoffs, but most aid goes to families earning below $150,000/year, with many paying a fraction of the sticker price. Families earning under $85,000/year often pay nothing.

GPA Requirements

There is no set GPA to qualify for a Harvard scholarship, but of course, getting into Harvard is highly competitive—most admitted students have outstanding academic records. Once admitted, aid eligibility is based solely on financial need, not your grades.

How to Apply for Harvard Scholarships

Application Steps

You apply for Harvard financial aid at the same time you apply for admission. Here’s how:

1. Submit the CSS Profile (for U.S. & international students).

2. Submit the FAFSA (for U.S. students only).

3. Upload your tax returns and other documents through IDOC.

Deadlines for Aid Applications

• Early Action: Nov 1 for admissions, Nov 15 for financial aid

• Regular Decision: Jan 1 for admissions, Feb 1 for financial aid

Harvard Financial Aid vs Other Ivy League Schools

What is the Ivy League?

The Ivy League is a group of eight prestigious U.S. universities—including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia—known for academics and need-based aid.

How Does Harvard’s Aid Compare?

Harvard, Princeton, and Yale consistently offer the most generous need-based aid in the Ivy League. Unlike many colleges, they don’t package loans—meaning your aid comes as grants, not debt.

Scholarships & Grants Beyond Harvard

Federal & State Grants

Many Harvard students also receive federal Pell Grants and, if applicable, state grants, which reduce Harvard’s aid dollar-for-dollar.

Outside Scholarships

You can also bring outside scholarships. Harvard will adjust your aid to ensure total aid doesn’t exceed your need, often reducing work-study or term-time employment before cutting Harvard grants.

How to Find Outside Awards

Use these resources to search for scholarships:

• Fastweb.com, College Board Scholarship Search, Scholarships.com

• Local organisations, employers, and foundations

Loans & Work-Study at Harvard

Harvard aims to keep borrowing to a minimum. Many students graduate debt-free. Harvard also offers:

• Work-Study programs, allowing students to work part-time on campus

• Harvard Loans for those who still need extra support

Can you get a full scholarship to Htovard?

Yes — Harvard offers full scholarships through its need-based financial aid program. Harvard does not give merit scholarships, but it commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. This means if your family income and assets show you can’t afford Harvard, they’ll cover the rest through grants and scholarships, so you can attend with little or no out-of-pocket coManymany students from families earning less than $85,000 a year pay nothing at all. This effectively makes it a full scholarship, covering tuition, fees, room, and board.

Does Harvard give scholarships to Nigerian students?

Yes, Harvard provides the same need-based financial aid to international students — including Nigerian students — as it does to U.S. students. If you’re admitted, Harvard will calculate your family’s financial circumstances and offer aid that can cover up to the full cost of attendance. Harvard does not offer special scholarships just for Nigerian students, but their generous financial aid ensures that qualified Nigerian students can study there regardless of family income. You’ll need to submit financial documents (via the CSS Profile and IDOC) during your application.

What happens if you get into Harvard but can’t afford it?

If you’re admitted to Harvard and can’t afford to pay, Harvard’s financial aid program ensures you still get to attend. Harvard guarantees to meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need through scholarships and work-study, so you won’t be forced to take on burdensome loans. They’ll assess your family’s income, assets, and circumstances to create a personalised financial aid package. Many students pay far less than the sticker price — some pay nothing. Harvard’s policy is designed so that financial concerns never keep an admitted student from enrolling.

Does Harvard provide a $100 scholarship?

Not exactly. Harvard does not give out small, flat-amount awards like a $100 scholarship. Instead, Harvard’s financial aid is need-based and can cover thousands of dollars, even up to the entire cost of attendance. Their aid packages typically involve grants and scholarships that do not need to be repaid, plus a small work expectation. So while you won’t see a tiny award like $100 from Harvard, you might receive a package worth $50,000+ per year, tailored to your financial needs. That’s much more substantial — and far more helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What GPA is required for a Harvard scholarship?

There’s no GPA minimum for receiving Harvard financial aid. Scholarships are based entirely on financial need, not on your academic performance after you’re admitted.

Does Harvard give scholarships to international students?

Yes, Harvard’s need-based aid is equally available to international students. Their financial aid process is “need-blind” for U.S. citizens and “need-aware” for international students, but once admitted, aid is calculated the same way.

How much do parents typically pay after aid?

• Families earning under $85,000/year typically pay $0.

• Families earning $85,000–$150,000/year pay 0–10% of income.

• Above that, aid scales down, but men still get help.

Can outside scholarships reduce what I owe?

Yes, but Harvard may adjust its rates. Usually, outside scholarships reduce student work expectations first.

Conclusion

So, does Harvard give scholarships? Absolutely. While Harvard does not award merit scholarships, it provides some of the most robust need-based aid anywhere in the world. This makes a Harvard education accessible to outstanding students from every financial background—whether you’re from Boston, Bangladesh, or anywhere in between. If you’re considering Harvard, apply confidently knowing their financial aid office will work to ensure cost isn’t a barrier.