Is Harvard really free for low-income students?
I keep reading online that Harvard is free if your family earns under a certain amount, but I wanted to hear from real students or people who have actually gone through the process. Are there any hidden costs or fees that still end up being a problem? My parents make less than $60,000 a year, and I’m the first kid in my family to consider applying to college out of state.
Can anyone share what their actual financial aid package looked like, and did Harvard cover everything? I’m curious about things like travel expenses and living costs too, not just tuition. Just trying to figure out if this is really as good as it sounds or if I should be worried about out-of-pocket costs.
Can anyone share what their actual financial aid package looked like, and did Harvard cover everything? I’m curious about things like travel expenses and living costs too, not just tuition. Just trying to figure out if this is really as good as it sounds or if I should be worried about out-of-pocket costs.
6 months ago
•
78 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Harvard’s financial aid policy for families making under $75,000 a year is quite generous. For admitted students, Harvard promises that families in this income range generally pay nothing for tuition, room, and board. That means your parents' contribution is expected to be $0, and the aid package covers the official cost of attendance.
That said, there are a couple of details to consider. Most students in this income bracket do not have to take out loans. Aid comes as grants and scholarships, not debt. So, in most cases, you won’t have to borrow in order to attend.
However, there can be some costs not directly covered. The official aid offer includes tuition, housing, meal plan, and required fees. Some additional costs, like books, certain personal expenses, and travel to and from campus, are estimated in your aid package, but reimbursement or coverage can vary. For travel costs, Harvard adjusts aid for students traveling long distances, but it may not always fully cover every trip (for instance, if you travel home more often than average).
Many low-income students say there are occasional small out-of-pocket expenses (like supplies, certain extracurricular activities, or room decor), but most needs-based costs are covered. There’s also the Harvard Student Events Fund and other support programs that give students free access to museums, events, and the MBTA (Boston’s transit system).
For example, one student whose family income was under $40,000 reported their annual bill was $0 other than some personal purchases, and they were able to apply for supplemental funding for emergencies or special projects. Another student said textbooks were partially covered; some via the aid award, others through textbook grant programs. For those eligible, Harvard also helps with the cost of health insurance if your family plan won't cover it.
To sum up: if your family makes less than $60,000, you should expect nearly all core costs to be covered, with very minimal out-of-pocket expenses. You can definitely reach out to Harvard’s financial aid office to get an estimate based on your specific circumstances—they’re very helpful and transparent. Also, consider applying for travel grants and other resources once admitted. People from low-income backgrounds do attend Harvard without significant financial strain, and the university has strong systems in place to help first-gen and lower-income students thrive.
That said, there are a couple of details to consider. Most students in this income bracket do not have to take out loans. Aid comes as grants and scholarships, not debt. So, in most cases, you won’t have to borrow in order to attend.
However, there can be some costs not directly covered. The official aid offer includes tuition, housing, meal plan, and required fees. Some additional costs, like books, certain personal expenses, and travel to and from campus, are estimated in your aid package, but reimbursement or coverage can vary. For travel costs, Harvard adjusts aid for students traveling long distances, but it may not always fully cover every trip (for instance, if you travel home more often than average).
Many low-income students say there are occasional small out-of-pocket expenses (like supplies, certain extracurricular activities, or room decor), but most needs-based costs are covered. There’s also the Harvard Student Events Fund and other support programs that give students free access to museums, events, and the MBTA (Boston’s transit system).
For example, one student whose family income was under $40,000 reported their annual bill was $0 other than some personal purchases, and they were able to apply for supplemental funding for emergencies or special projects. Another student said textbooks were partially covered; some via the aid award, others through textbook grant programs. For those eligible, Harvard also helps with the cost of health insurance if your family plan won't cover it.
To sum up: if your family makes less than $60,000, you should expect nearly all core costs to be covered, with very minimal out-of-pocket expenses. You can definitely reach out to Harvard’s financial aid office to get an estimate based on your specific circumstances—they’re very helpful and transparent. Also, consider applying for travel grants and other resources once admitted. People from low-income backgrounds do attend Harvard without significant financial strain, and the university has strong systems in place to help first-gen and lower-income students thrive.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years