How do scholarships work for international students at Harvard?

I'm curious about how international students can get scholarships at Harvard. Does anyone know if they offer a lot of financial support to students coming from abroad? I'm aiming for Harvard and would need financial assistance.

Absolutely! Harvard University is committed to ensuring that all students admitted to their programs can afford to attend, regardless of their financial background—and this extends to international students as well.

Harvard’s financial aid program makes use of a need-blind admissions process, which means your ability to pay does not impact whether or not you're accepted. For students who are admitted, Harvard then pledges to meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need.

For international students, Harvard will take a look at your family income, assets, and financial circumstances to determine your 'Student Aid Index' (SAI), which is a figure indicating what Harvard believes your family can contribute to your education on an annual basis. If your family's income is less than $85,000 per year, you'll likely be eligible for a financial aid award that covers your full cost of attendance, comprising tuition, room, board, health services fee, and some allowance for personal expenses and travel. For families with higher incomes, the contribution amount increases proportionally.

Applying for financial aid at Harvard is a two-step process for international students. First, you'll provide your financial information on the CSS Profile; Harvard will use this data to determine your aid eligibility. Second, you will submit additional financial documentation—which may include tax forms, pay stubs, or other proofs of income—for verification purposes.

Remember, financial aid at Harvard is largely need-based rather than merit-based, so scholarships awarded by other institutions, states, or countries won't affect your financial aid package from Harvard.

Best of luck in your application and potential scholarship endeavors!