What are the steps to getting a scholarship to Harvard University?
I'm a junior this year and starting to seriously look at which colleges I want to apply to. Harvard is obviously a dream school for me, but it's also super expensive and my family can't really afford the tuition without some kind of financial help.
I've heard that Harvard has a lot of financial aid programs, but I'm not really sure how the scholarship process works compared to just regular financial aid. Is there an application you have to fill out specifically for scholarships? Or do you just fill out the regular Harvard financial aid forms like the FAFSA and CSS Profile and then they decide how much money to give you?
If anyone has gone through this or knows how it works, I'd appreciate any tips. Also, do you have to be super exceptional in something to get a separate merit scholarship, or is most of the aid there based on need only? Any info about what they look for in scholarship recipients (besides grades) would really help.
I've heard that Harvard has a lot of financial aid programs, but I'm not really sure how the scholarship process works compared to just regular financial aid. Is there an application you have to fill out specifically for scholarships? Or do you just fill out the regular Harvard financial aid forms like the FAFSA and CSS Profile and then they decide how much money to give you?
If anyone has gone through this or knows how it works, I'd appreciate any tips. Also, do you have to be super exceptional in something to get a separate merit scholarship, or is most of the aid there based on need only? Any info about what they look for in scholarship recipients (besides grades) would really help.
6 months ago
•
171 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Harvard handles financial aid differently from many other schools when it comes to scholarships. The most important thing to know is that Harvard does not offer merit-based scholarships or separate scholarships that you apply for based on academic, athletic, or extracurricular achievements. Instead, nearly all financial support at Harvard is based on financial need.
Here are the main steps to apply for financial aid (sometimes called scholarships) at Harvard:
1. When you apply to Harvard, indicate your interest in financial aid on your application. This doesn’t affect your admissions decision.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is required by all U.S. colleges for federal aid.
3. Complete the CSS Profile, which is run by the College Board. Harvard requires this for both U.S. and international students, and it enables them to understand your family’s financial situation in depth.
4. Submit any additional documentation that Harvard requests, such as tax returns or non-custodial parent statements if your parents are divorced or separated.
You don’t need to fill out a separate application for a 'Harvard scholarship'. Once you submit the required financial aid documents, the Harvard Financial Aid Office will review your family’s finances and determine your aid package. Most students from families with annual incomes under $85,000 pay nothing for tuition, and those with higher incomes often receive significant aid depending on other factors (like assets or unusual expenses).
If you are wondering about merit scholarships, Harvard simply doesn’t have those. All admitted students are considered for need-based aid and there is no extra application or criteria. However, you can look for outside scholarships (local nonprofits, community organizations, etc.) and use those to lower your costs or help pay for things Harvard’s package may not cover, like travel or books.
For example, one student might get into Harvard and receive a financial aid package that covers tuition, room, and board because her parents’ income is under $65,000 and they have few assets. She didn’t need to win any special scholarship -- it’s based on her family’s needs, not her test scores or extracurricular achievements.
Key tip: Submit all forms and documents early. Pay attention to Harvard’s deadlines, which can be well before the spring of your senior year. If you have more questions, Harvard’s Financial Aid Office is very responsive and can offer more tailored help if you reach out directly.
In summary, Harvard’s process is straightforward: focus on the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and getting admitted. You don’t need a separate scholarship application. Good luck with your applications and financial aid process!
Here are the main steps to apply for financial aid (sometimes called scholarships) at Harvard:
1. When you apply to Harvard, indicate your interest in financial aid on your application. This doesn’t affect your admissions decision.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is required by all U.S. colleges for federal aid.
3. Complete the CSS Profile, which is run by the College Board. Harvard requires this for both U.S. and international students, and it enables them to understand your family’s financial situation in depth.
4. Submit any additional documentation that Harvard requests, such as tax returns or non-custodial parent statements if your parents are divorced or separated.
You don’t need to fill out a separate application for a 'Harvard scholarship'. Once you submit the required financial aid documents, the Harvard Financial Aid Office will review your family’s finances and determine your aid package. Most students from families with annual incomes under $85,000 pay nothing for tuition, and those with higher incomes often receive significant aid depending on other factors (like assets or unusual expenses).
If you are wondering about merit scholarships, Harvard simply doesn’t have those. All admitted students are considered for need-based aid and there is no extra application or criteria. However, you can look for outside scholarships (local nonprofits, community organizations, etc.) and use those to lower your costs or help pay for things Harvard’s package may not cover, like travel or books.
For example, one student might get into Harvard and receive a financial aid package that covers tuition, room, and board because her parents’ income is under $65,000 and they have few assets. She didn’t need to win any special scholarship -- it’s based on her family’s needs, not her test scores or extracurricular achievements.
Key tip: Submit all forms and documents early. Pay attention to Harvard’s deadlines, which can be well before the spring of your senior year. If you have more questions, Harvard’s Financial Aid Office is very responsive and can offer more tailored help if you reach out directly.
In summary, Harvard’s process is straightforward: focus on the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and getting admitted. You don’t need a separate scholarship application. Good luck with your applications and financial aid process!
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years