Harvard scholarships for international students?

I've always dreamed of attending Harvard and I'm an international student. Does anyone know what scholarships or financial support Harvard offers to international students? How competitive is it to receive aid from them?

Yes, Harvard does provide financial aid to international students, and the good news is it's based on need, not merit. What this means is that if you are admitted to Harvard and demonstrate financial need, they commit to meeting 100% of your demonstrated need.

The process is relatively straightforward. As an international student, you'll need to fill out the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile. This will allow Harvard to assess your family's financial situation. Harvard then uses this information to determine your financial aid package, which can include a combination of grants (scholarships), work-study, and possible loans.

The competitiveness for receiving aid isn't an issue as it isn't merit-based, however, getting admitted to Harvard is. The school is known for its low acceptance rates, so it's important to have a strong academic record and show a high level of achievement in your chosen fields of interest.

Remember, financial aid at Harvard is solely need-based. The university aims to make sure that all students admitted can afford to attend, irrespective of their financial circumstances. It is important to note the more expensive the education, the bigger the aid package can be.

Examples of other funding sources you may consider include private scholarships from your home country, international organizations, or nonprofits. It's generally a good idea to seek as many funding sources as possible to alleviate the financial burden.