How to get a Harvard scholarship?

So, I've always dreamed of going to Harvard, but I'm concerned about the tuition cost. I'm a junior in high school and want to start preparing now. Does anyone know how to go about getting a scholarship to Harvard? Are there specific programs or criteria I should be aware of? Any tips on how to make myself a strong candidate, academically and otherwise, would be really helpful. Thanks!

It's great to see that you're planning ahead and prioritizing your finances! The key thing to know for students looking for financial aid at Harvard is that they have one of the most generous need-based financial aid program, precisely to ensure that students of all income levels can afford to attend.

When applying to Harvard, you should simultaneously fill out the FAFSA and CSS profile. The information you provide on these forms allows Harvard's Financial Aid Office to determine your family contribution. Harvard does not offer merit scholarships, so there are no separate scholarship applications.

Families with an income under $65,000 pay nothing for their child to attend. Families with incomes between $65,000-$150,000 will contribute from 0 to 10% percent of their income. Fees can increase slightly for families earning above $150,000.

To make yourself a strong candidate, you should prioritize getting excellent grades, partaking in meaningful extracurricular activities (think in terms of quality over quantity), and demonstrating leadership and passion in your area(s) of interest. Harvard is among the most selective colleges, and they give particular consideration to students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement or leadership at the national or international level.

Showcasing a "spike", or highly-developed specialty in a particular area, alongside excellent academic performance is often regarded favorably by highly selective schools like Harvard. Preparing for the SAT or ACT is also crucial, as a stronger score can further bolster your application.

Remember to tell a compelling story in your application essays about who you are, why you're passionate about your interests, and how you'll contribute to Harvard's community. Tailoring your application to show how you would specifically contribute to and benefit from Harvard will help you stand out.

Lastly, don't forget to apply to Harvard's single-choice Early Action program if possible, as it's statistically shown to increase your chances of admission. But of course, do this only if you're confident that your application will be in its best possible shape by the Early Action deadline.

Good luck with your college journey!