Do most Harvard students receive scholarships?

I'm thinking about applying to Harvard, and I'm curious about how many of its students actually receive scholarships. Does Harvard offer good financial aid, and what are the chances of getting a scholarship if accepted?

Absolutely, Harvard is known for its generous financial aid. Harvard University has a need-based policy, which means they assess your family's financial situation and offer an aid package that covers the rest of the cost. Harvard does not provide merit-based scholarships; all of their scholarships are need-based, and they are committed to making sure that admitted students can afford to attend.

Harvard states that 55 percent of their undergraduate students receive some form of need-based scholarship aid, and the average amount of that aid is around $53,000 per year. Additionally, families with an income below $65,000 annually are not expected to contribute to college costs.

You don't need to apply separately for these scholarships. You'll be automatically considered when you fill out the financial aid application, which usually includes the CSS Profile and the FAFSA. The financial aid committee at Harvard will use this information to come up with a financial aid package that fits your needs.

Keep in mind that every situation is unique, so the specific amount of aid you're offered may vary. It's a great idea to use Harvard's Net Price Calculator to get a rough estimate of how much you might receive.