Harvard University has long been a leader in its commitment to student financial assistance both on campus and in Washington, D.C. Harvard College was one of the first colleges in the nation to adopt broadly the tenets of the G.I. Bill and provide institutional need-based grant aid to qualified students. These practices served as a model for the creation of the federal system of student financial aid. Harvard remains active on this front today. In 2004, Harvard College began a series of groundbreaking initiatives to dramatically reduce the cost to low and middle income families. Parent contributions for families with income less that $65,000 have been eliminated and families with incomes between $65,000 – $150,000 pay zero to 10% of their income on a sliding scale. Some families with income above $150,000 still qualify for financial aid. Overall, two-thirds of Harvard College undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. Harvard College provided over $169 million in scholarships for undergraduates in the 2011-2012 academic year, with the typical grant totaling $39,345. Between 2003 and 2012, Harvard College’s Pell Grant participation increased from 9% to 20%; and during the 2009-2010 academic year, Harvard College, each of Harvard’s graduate and professional schools, and the Harvard Extension School contributed funds to help pay tuition expenses for veterans through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

In Washington, Harvard works to increase funding for federal student aid programs, including the Pell Grant program, Work Study, and Perkins Loans. We also pursue strong federal student loan policies that provide Harvard’s undergraduate and graduate students with improved access to critical, but affordable, federal student loans.

Financial Aid Data

FY2012 Financial Aid at Harvard College

Federal Aid by Program at Harvard University 2011-2012

Relevant Correspondence

• Pell Letter from local institutions, December 2010
• Letter to Hill on Harvard student aid, September 2012

Useful Links

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• eduPASS: Financial Aid for International Students
• Student Aid Alliance
• Committee on Education Funding
• National Administration for Student Financial Aid Administrators
• NAICU Higher Ed Act 101
• College Board

Harvard Financial Aid Offices

• Links to all undergraduate, graduate, extension school, and summer program financial aid offices