International Graduate Financial Aid Program 2027 | Study in United States — Harvard University
“Does Harvard fund international graduate students?” is one of the most searched questions by prospective applicants, and the honest answer is: it depends entirely on which of Harvard’s schools you’re applying to, since each one (the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Business School, the Kennedy School, and others) runs its own financial aid process with its own criteria.
About the Scholarship
Harvard doesn’t operate a single, university-wide scholarship for international graduate students. Instead, each graduate and professional school at Harvard administers its own need-based financial aid, assistantships, or fellowship funding for admitted students, including those from outside the United States. Your eligibility and the amount you might receive depend on the specific program you’re admitted to. Students who don’t secure full funding at Harvard sometimes also apply to merit-based options elsewhere, such as American University’s Emerging Global Leader Scholarship or George Washington University’s Presidential and International Scholarships.
Scholarship Benefits
- Need-based financial aid packages that vary by school and program
- Some Harvard graduate programs offer full funding (tuition plus stipend) for PhD students in particular
- Aid decisions are generally made without regard to citizenship for many of Harvard’s graduate programs
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be admitted to a graduate or professional program at Harvard University
- You must apply for financial aid through the specific process used by your admitting school
- Demonstrated financial need is typically a factor, alongside admission merit
Fields of Study Covered
Every graduate and professional field offered at Harvard, since financial aid is administered separately by each individual school rather than through one central scholarship.
Required Documents
- Your completed graduate admission application to the relevant Harvard school
- Financial aid application forms specific to that school (which can include forms like the CSS Profile for some programs)
- Supporting financial documentation as requested
- Any additional funding applications, such as fellowship nominations, where applicable
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Apply for admission to your chosen graduate or professional program at Harvard
- Research that specific school’s financial aid process, since it differs across Harvard
- Submit any required financial aid forms by that school’s own deadline, which is often different from the general admission deadline
- Respond to any requests for additional financial documentation promptly
Selection Process
Each Harvard school reviews financial aid applications internally, weighing demonstrated financial need against the funding available for that specific program and admission cycle. PhD programs in particular often guarantee funding as a standard part of admission, while some master’s programs offer more limited aid.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Research your specific Harvard school’s financial aid page directly rather than relying on generic “Harvard scholarship” information, since the process genuinely differs by school
- Submit financial aid materials as early as your target school allows, since funding at some schools is limited
- If you’re applying to a PhD program, ask directly whether funding is guaranteed as part of admission, since many Harvard PhD programs do guarantee this
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Harvard have one central scholarship for all international students?
No, financial aid at Harvard is administered separately by each graduate or professional school, not through a single university-wide scholarship.
Are PhD students usually funded?
Many Harvard PhD programs guarantee funding, including tuition and a stipend, as a standard part of admission. Check your specific program for confirmation.
Is financial aid only based on need, or also merit?
Admission itself is merit-based, and financial aid is then typically allocated based on demonstrated need within the admitted pool.
Does applying for financial aid affect my admission chances?
Harvard states that many of its graduate programs make admission decisions independent of financial aid need, but you should confirm this for your specific program.
When should I apply for financial aid?
As soon as possible after being admitted, and ideally researched well before you apply, since some schools have separate, earlier financial aid deadlines.