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Best Harvard Scholarships for International Students in 2024

Updated on 19 September, 2024

Best Harvard Scholarships for International Students in 2024

Studying at Harvard University is a dream for not just US citizens but also international students worldwide. Did you know for the Class of 2027, the university has admitted 1,966 students out of 56,937 applicants, with 15.4% of them being international students? 

If you aspire to be a part of this list of elite applicants, here’s looking at some Harvard scholarships that can help you ease your way to the destination. 

Benefits of Harvard Scholarships

There are several benefits that Harvard University’s scholarships provide to the aspirants seeking admission there. These are usually based on need and may include coverage for full/partial tuition fees. 

You will have to prove the same to obtain the financial benefits that help you study at the university without facing pressing financial issues. 

Scholarships Offered by Harvard University for Indian Students 

Here are some of the Harvard scholarships that you may consider applying for. 

Scholarship Benefits Provider
Harvard Financial Aid 100% of demonstrated financial need  Harvard University
BigFuture Scholarships Scholarships worth $500 and $40,000 College Board
Aga Khan Scholarship 50% grant and 50% loan for covering study costs  Aga Khan Foundation
AIF Clinton Fellowship Domestic travel, emergency support, insurance coverage, and a monthly living stipend  American Indian Foundation William J. Clinton Fellowship 
Funding for MD Students Tuition and statutory costs  Harvard Medical School (HMS)
MBAID Scholarships Full or partial tuition costs Harvard Business School (HBS)

Source: Official University Website

Eligibility Criteria for Harvard Scholarships 

Here are the general eligibility criteria for some Harvard scholarships: 

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 
Harvard Financial Aid Financial need is the only criterion. Your parent contribution is calculated along with outside awards/student employment. The remaining need is covered by the scholarship.
BigFuture Scholarships

The applicants must complete the BigFuture steps to explore their professional pathways and colleges, apply, and complete formalities.

Upon completion, they will be entered into monthly drawings for scholarships. Just the six qualifying steps have to be completed on BigFuture. 

Those whose families have an income of less than $60,000 annually have higher chances of getting scholarships.

Aga Khan Scholarship

Priority is given to master’s level programs, although PhD programs are also taken into consideration.

Other criteria include excellent academic performance, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience, genuine financial need, creation of a multi-source funding plan, leadership attributes, and participation in extracurricular activities.

AIF Clinton Fellowship Candidates have to be 21-31 years of age and Indian citizens/permanent residents while having got their undergraduate degrees before the beginning of the fellowship.
Funding for MD Students Financial need is the sole criterion (this is calculated by deducting the family contribution from mandatory and tuition costs).
MBAID Scholarships The need is calculated by determining the gross income of the last three years, assets, undergraduate debt, and socio-economic background. Student contributions should be there through student loans, savings, and outside funding/employer sponsorship, if applicable.

Source: Official University Website

Application Process for Scholarships at Harvard University

The application process varies greatly for Harvard scholarships. For institutional/general funding and assistance, you will have to apply for financial support at the time of course application. 

The university will calculate your financial need based on its formula and then award you the funds if you are eligible. 

For external scholarships, like the Aga Khan Foundation, you must check your eligibility and complete the further steps to obtain the scholarship. Many scholarships may require an online application process requiring personal and academic details and documents.

Explore More: New Harvard Business School Scholarship

Documents Required for Harvard Scholarships

There are different documents that you may require to apply for Harvard scholarships. This includes:

  • Scholarship Application Form
  • Additional financial aid forms, such as the business/farm supplement, the cash flow statement, or the federal tax non-filer statement. 
  • Proof of student loans, contribution of parents, and outside scholarships if needed
  • Family income proof and other income documents 

Selection Criteria and Evaluation Process of Harvard Scholarships

The selection criteria and process of evaluation vary from scholarship to scholarship. Financial need is the major criterion for most scholarships at Harvard University. 

The evaluation process involves calculating the applicant's financial need after deducting the parental contribution and other funding sources from the cost of the study. At the same time, their academic performance and family income may also be evaluated, depending on the scholarship.

Conclusion

The article covered some of the prominent Harvard scholarships that Indian students can apply for. Make sure that you keep the application guidelines in mind while enrolling in your preferred academic programs. 

At the same time, look for financial aid sources before zeroing in on your chosen courses. 

Read More:

Here are some detailed articles on Fully Funded Scholarships for top Study Abroad Destination:

Fully Funded Scholarships in UK Fully Funded Scholarships in USA
Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada
Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany Fully Funded Scholarships in New Zealand 
Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland Fully Funded Scholarships in Netherlands
Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy Fully Funded Scholarships in Spain
Fully Funded Scholarships in Singapore Fully Funded Scholarships in France

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FAQs

Can I get a full scholarship to study at Harvard?

It is possible to get a Harvard scholarship that covers full tuition fees if the candidate can demonstrate genuine financial need. This will be calculated based on several parameters before the funds are awarded. 

Is Harvard free if you earn less than $100,000?

If the income of the family is lower than $85,000, the candidate does not have to pay anything in most cases. For those earning between $85,000 and $150,000, the expected contribution is up to ten percent of the annual income.

Is Harvard very expensive?

The average cost of studying at Harvard University is $80,263 (total program cost for 2023-24). However, the average candidate’s net payable funds may come around to $15,210 after receiving need-based financial support.

Did you find this article helpful?

Jyotsna Singh

With over a decade of expertise in international education, Jyotsna has held impactful roles at the British Council, Unilodgers, a prominent UK university, and IDP Education, empowering countless students by not only enhancing their educational experiences but also by offering them guidance in securing essential scholarships and financial aid. She is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals through tailored guidance and financial support.

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