Harvard University Scholarships Full List for International Students
From need-based grants to prestigious fellowships, Harvard offers some of the most generous financial aid packages in the world. Here is everything you need to know before you apply.
Why Harvard's Financial Aid Stands Apart
Harvard University is not just one of the top universities in the world it is also one of the most affordable for students who qualify for financial aid. Thanks to Harvard's $51 billion endowment, the university runs one of the most generous need based scholarship programs on the planet.
For international students, this is genuinely great news. Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, regardless of their nationality. That means if you get in and show financial need, Harvard will fund your education.
No matter if you are applying from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China, Nigeria, or a country in Europe, the financial aid process is the same for all students. There are also many scholarships based on merit, school specific scholarships, and other funding options that international students can apply for along with need based grants.
This guide explains the main scholarships and financial aid programs available for international students at Harvard. It covers who can apply, how much money you may receive, important deadlines, and helpful tips to make your application stronger.
- Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students
- Families earning under $85,000/year typically pay nothing
- Families earning $85,000–$150,000 pay 0–10% of income
- Aid is primarily grant based not loans
- International students are fully eligible for need based aid
- Aid is renewable for all four undergraduate years
- Graduate schools have separate fellowship programs
- No separate scholarship application admission application is enough
Harvard Scholarships Full List for International Students
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of scholarships, grants, and fellowships available to international applicants across Harvard's undergraduate and graduate schools.
This is Harvard’s main financial aid program for undergraduate students. It can help pay for tuition, housing, food, and other personal costs based on your family’s financial needs. Any student who gets admitted and shows they need financial help can apply, including international students.
These scholarships are named after some of Harvard’s important donors. They give extra financial support to undergraduate students who already receive the Harvard College Need Based Grant. They are given to students based on academic achievement, good character, and financial need.
Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) offers many fellowships for students studying public policy, international development, and government programs. The Mason Fellows Program and the Mid Career MPA are made especially for working professionals from developing countries, including regions like South Asia and East Asia.
Harvard Business School (HBS) gives financial help based on need to MBA students. International students can also apply for this support. HBS also has special programs like the HBS Fellowship for African students and other awards for different regions. About half of all students receive some type of fellowship funding.
Harvard Law School awards fellowship grants to JD students who demonstrate financial need. The LLM program is mostly paid by students themselves, but international students often use outside scholarships like Fulbright and Chevening to support their studies. After graduation, the LIPP program helps students who choose to work in public interest law jobs.
Harvard Medical School (HMS) gives scholarships based on financial need to MD students. These can cover a large part of the yearly tuition, which is over $70,000. International students in the MD program can also apply. The school also offers fellowships in health policy and grants for global health research for students who want to focus on research.
PhD students at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) usually get full funding. This includes their tuition, a living stipend, and health insurance. Master’s students may also receive some financial help, but it is often partial. This funding support is available in different fields such as science, humanities, social sciences, and engineering.
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is a popular way for international students to pay for their studies at Harvard. Many countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China, and most European countries have active Fulbright programs. In some cases, Fulbright funding can also be combined with Harvard financial aid.
Some special fellowships are given to very strong graduate students based only on their academic performance. These include awards like the Harvard Merit Scholarship, the Dean’s Prize Fellowship, and other department based scholarships in subjects such as economics, computer science, and public health.
Harvard Scholarship Comparison Table
A side by side look at the key scholarships, their award amounts, basis, and eligibility for international students.
| Scholarship Name | School / Level | Award Amount | Type | Intl. Eligible | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard College Need Based Grant | Undergraduate | Up to $82,000/yr | Need | ✅ Yes | Nov 1 / Jan 1 |
| Harvard-Radcliffe Scholarships | Undergraduate | $5,000–$30,000 | Merit + Need | ✅ Yes | With Admission |
| GSAS PhD Fellowship | PhD – All Depts. | Full Tuition + $42K stipend | Full | ✅ Yes | Dec – Jan |
| Kennedy School Fellowships | Graduate – MPA/MPP | Up to Full Tuition | Need + Merit | ✅ Yes | Jan – Feb |
| Harvard Business School Fellowship | Graduate – MBA | $15,000–$45,000/yr | Need | ✅ Yes | With Admission |
| Harvard Law School Fellowship | Graduate – JD | Varies | Need | ✅ Yes (JD) | March |
| HMS Need-Based Scholarship | Graduate – MD | Up to Full Tuition | Need | ✅ Yes | Oct – Nov |
| GSAS Merit Fellowship | Graduate – Various | $10,000–$50,000 | Merit | ✅ Yes | With Admission |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | All Levels | Tuition + Living | External | ✅ Yes | Country-based |
| Chevening Scholarship (UK Citizens) | Graduate | Full Funding | External | UK Only | November |
| HEC Pakistan Scholarships | PhD / Graduate | Full Tuition + Stipend | External | Pakistan Only | Varies |
| Chinese Government Scholarship | All Levels | Full Tuition + Living | External | China Only | March – April |
Eligibility Criteria for Harvard Scholarships
Most Harvard scholarships do not require a separate application. Here are the basic requirements international students usually need to meet to be eligible.
Academic Excellence
Harvard admits students from the top 3–5% of applicants globally. A strong GPA, test scores (SAT/GRE/GMAT/LSAT), and outstanding grades are essential.
Demonstrated Financial Need
For need based grants, you must submit your family's financial documents. Harvard uses CSS Profile for undergraduates and its own forms for graduate schools.
Valid Student Visa
International students need an F-1 student visa to study in the USA. Harvard provides a DS-2019 / I-20 form after admission. Aid does not require citizenship.
Program Enrollment
You must be enrolled in a full time degree program at Harvard. Students who study part time, only attend classes without enrolling (auditing), or are not in a degree program are usually not eligible for financial aid from the university.
How to Apply for Harvard Scholarships
Follow these steps to maximize your chances of receiving financial aid at Harvard as an international student.
Submit Your Admission Application
Apply through the Common App (undergrad) or directly through your school's admissions portal. For most Harvard schools, your scholarship consideration begins at the admission stage no separate form is needed.
Complete the CSS Profile
Undergraduate applicants must complete the College Board CSS Profile in addition to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA is optional for international students, but CSS Profile is mandatory).
Submit Financial Documents
Provide your parents' tax returns, bank statements, and any other financial documents requested by Harvard's Student Financial Services. Documents must be translated into English if in another language.
Apply for External Scholarships
Boost your funding by applying for country specific scholarships like Fulbright, Chevening (UK), HEC (Pakistan), MEXT (Japan), or the Chinese Government Scholarship. These can be combined with Harvard's own aid.
Review Your Award Letter & Accept
Once admitted, Harvard will send a detailed financial aid award letter. You can appeal the award if your financial circumstances have changed. Accept or appeal by the stated deadline usually May 1 for undergrads.
Key Application Deadlines
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions international students ask about Harvard scholarships.