Harvard does not offer merit scholarships. Every dollar of Harvard College financial aid is need-based, calculated from your family’s finances. The good news is that Harvard meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for every admitted student, with grants rather than loans.
Starting in the 2025-26 academic year, Harvard expanded its aid: families earning 200,000 dollars or less pay no tuition, and families earning 100,000 dollars or less pay nothing at all, with tuition, housing, food, and other costs covered. Harvard estimates about 86 percent of US families qualify for aid under the expanded plan.
The older thresholds still describe the sliding scale. Families earning under 85,000 dollars were already expected to contribute nothing, and families earning between 85,000 and 150,000 dollars contribute between zero and 10 percent of income. Families above 150,000 dollars may still qualify depending on circumstances.
International students receive the same need-based aid as US students. Admissions are need-blind, so asking for aid does not hurt your chances. To apply, submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the published deadlines, which differ for early and regular applicants.
If Harvard is on your list, also read how much Harvard costs for international students and Harvard scholarships for international master’s students. General advice on maximizing financial aid applies to the FAFSA and CSS Profile too.
