Financial Aid to New Students

Introduction

The Graduate School offers a comprehensive program of financial support including grants and fellowships from internal and external sources, traineeships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships, other academic employment opportunities, and several types of loans. Eighty-five percent of graduate students receive financial assistance either from Harvard or from outside sources. Some aid offers are granted on the basis of merit, others are based on an analysis of financial resources, while still others reflect a combination of merit and need.

Financial Aid

The financial aid program seeks to offer financial support to make graduate school possible for academically qualified applicants. Our budgets allow living at modest but adequate standards.

Awards may include grants for living expenses, tuition, and fees; loans from one of several federal programs; work-study jobs; teaching fellowships or research assistantships. International applicants should seek information at their universities about Fulbright Grants and other grants and loans provided by their home governments.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

The Statement of Financial Resources should be completed whether or not you are applying for financial aid. 

International applicants are advised that US visa requirements state that sufficient funds must be available to support the student and all accompanying dependents.

Harvard Grants

Students awarded financial support in their first year of graduate study can expect continuation of funding in the second year provided they are making satisfactory academic progress. Many awards provide tuition support for up to five years and include teaching fellowships and/or research assistantships in later years.

Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships (FLAS)

Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships, funded by Title VI of the Higher Education Act and available to US citizens and permanent residents, support graduate training in modern foreign languages for those who wish to combine world area studies with an academic discipline. Eligible world areas are: East Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. The FLAS application is available online and should be submitted separately with academic transcripts and a letter of recommendation to: FLAS Coordinator, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Holyoke Center, 3rd floor, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138. The application deadline is January 4, 2010.

Teaching Fellowships and Research Assistantships

Teaching fellowships and research assistantships are ordinarily available to second-year students in the natural sciences and third year students in the humanities and social sciences. In a few departments, students may teach after the first year. Teaching appointment opportunities vary widely from department to department.

Alternative Funding Sources

Because it is not possible to offer full fellowship support to all graduate students, it is important that prospective graduate students explore every available source of funding for graduate study. It is wise to check with various offices at your undergraduate institution, such as the dean of students, financial aid, and career services, for materials about financial support for graduate study.

Grant Reference Books

The Graduate School revises and updates the Graduate Guide to Grants, which lists possible sources of support for graduate students. It is available online. Advice on writing winning proposals can be found on the Scholarly Pursuits website.

Most libraries and career planning offices includes useful publications such as Grants for Graduate Students. In addition, faculty advisors are often helpful in suggesting funding sources appropriate to an applicant’s particular field of study. We suggest that you plan ahead as many fellowship application deadlines are in the early fall.

Selected Non-University Sources

National Science Foundation Fellowships

The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers graduate fellowships through a national competition each year. Awards are made for study leading to master’s or doctoral degrees in the mathematical, physical, biological, and social sciences, and in the history and philosophy of science. Eligibility is limited to individuals who are US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents at the time of application. Contact: (866) 673-4737 from the US and Canada; (202) 331-3542 from international locations.

Ford Foundation Fellowships

Minority applicants in the humanities and social sciences should seek information regarding Ford Foundation fellowships: Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships, National Research Council, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 334-2872; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

GEM

The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science (GEM) covers tuition and stipend, plus a summer internship at a participating company. Contact: The National GEM Consortium, 1430 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 562-3646; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Jacob K. Javits Fellowships

The Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program sponsors an annual national competition each year for students undertaking study at the doctoral level in selected fields of the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Eligibility is limited to individuals who are US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents at the time of application. Contact: US Department of Education, OPE, Teacher and Student Development Programs Service, Jacob K. Javits Fellowships Program, 1990 K Street, NW, 6th floor, Washington, DC, 20006-8524, (202) 502-7542, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

National Defense Science and Engineering Fellowships

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program (NDSEG) is intended for students at or near the beginning of graduate study for doctoral degrees in mathematical, physical, biological, and engineering sciences. It is open to US citizens and nationals of the United States. Contact: National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program (NDSEG), c/o American Society for Engineering Education, 1818 N Street, NW #600, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 331-3516, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

National Physical Science Consortium Fellowships

The National Physical Science Consortium (NPSC) awards fellowships to US citizens for graduate study at participating NPSC institutions. Contact: NPSC, USC_RAN, 3716 S. Hope, Ste. 348, Los Angeles, CA 90007-4344; (800) 854-6772, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Loans

Ford Federal Direct Loan Programs

Subsidized
Harvard University has been selected by the US Department of Education as a participating institution in the Direct Loan Program. GSAS students who are US citizens or permanent residents may borrow under the Ford Federal Direct Loan Programs.

The terms and conditions of the Ford Federal Direct Loan Programs are very similar to those of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan and Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan). The difference lies in simpler processes for the borrower and educational institution and customer service provided by the US Department of Education.

Total borrowing under the Ford Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, and Federal Supplemental Loans for Students (replaced by the new Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program), both as an undergraduate and graduate student, cannot exceed $138,500.

Unsubsidized
These loans have the same terms and conditions as the Ford Federal Direct Subsidized Loans except that the borrower is responsible for interest that accrues while he or she is in school and there is no analysis of need. 

While a student is in school, grace period, or period of authorized deferment, she or he may make interest payments or defer interest payments.

Federal Perkins Loan (Formerly National Direct Student Loan)

Federal Perkins Loans are available to those who demonstrate the greatest financial need. The maximum loan varies according to need and is generally disbursed in two equal installments. The aggregate loan limit is $40,000 (including undergraduate Federal Perkins Loan borrowing).

Non-Federal Loans

The Graduate School participates in a number of non-federal student loan programs. Information may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid after the student has been admitted. A co-applicant is ordinarily required of non-US citizens.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP)

The FWSP Program is a federally funded program which provides eligible students with employment opportunities in public and private nonprofit organizations. Applicants with the greatest financial need are given preference. Work-study placements are approved through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

A graduate student must file a FAFSA to apply for a Ford Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, and the Federal Work-Study Program. The FAFSA is available on the web.
 
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