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The decision to pursue graduate study represents a significant academic and financial commitment. These pages are prepared to assist students in the financial planning essential for a successful graduate career.

Aid Application Process For Prospective Students 

Most applicants for admission are asked to file the Statement of Financial Resources for Graduate Study. Graduate School resources are not sufficient to support all degree candidates. This information helps ensure that each applicant has planned for the financing of their graduate education. The following departments do not require financial information:

• Astronomy
• Biology,Medical Sciences
• Biology,Molecular and Cellular
• Biological Sciences in Dental Medicine
• Biological Sciences in Public Health
• Biostatistics
• Business Economics
• Chemistry and Chemical Biology
• Chemical Physics
• Earth and Planetary Science
• Engineering and Applied Sciences (PhD only)
• Organizational Behavior
• Physics
• Science,Technology and Management
• Systems Biology
  

In the case of need-based aid, the Admissions and Financial Aid Office uses this information to determine the ability of applicants to financially support themselves for the first two years of graduate study. The calculated personal/family contribution is subtracted from the standard budget to determine the Harvard grant recommendation.

Based on this analysis, a recommendation for grant support is provided to the department to which the applicant has applied. Grant recommendations vary but ordinarily do not exceed tuition plus $21,830 in stipend support (2008–2009 rates). The grant may not fall below the minimum aid recommendation given by the Admissions and Financial Aid Office. In some instances, a teaching fellowship or research assistantship may be offered to partially meet the recommendation. Teaching fellowships and research fellowships may also be substituted for stipend support during the second year.

If a multi-year offer of financial support is made, the offer is usually renewed provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress. Students are required to file a financial aid application each year even if they received a multi-year guarantee of support.

After the first two years of graduate study, students can expect to be able to meet their living expenses through a combination of teaching fellowships, research assistantships, and grants. Opportunities to teach and participate in research provide both significant financial support and valuable experience. An average teaching fellowship annual salary pays $21,830 (2008–2009 rates).

Tuition and fee charges drop from $35,386 in the first two years, to $11,294 in the third and fourth years, and $4,984 in the fifth year and beyond (2008–2009 rates).

Students may want to supplement University aid with need-based financial assistance such as loans and/or work-study employment. All students interested in applying for this type of assistance must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which may be obtained by contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FEDAID. The FAFSA is also available on the web.

Students who are married as of the date of filing the FAFSA should complete questions concerning their spouses. We request that applicants send a photocopy of their completed FAFSA form directly to the GSAS Admissions Office. The original should be sent to the Department of Education. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office for information on the additional materials required to complete their application.