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Best Harvard Scholarships for International Students in 2024

Updated on 17 April, 2024

Pragya Sharma

Pragya Sharma

Sr. Content Editor

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. 

ScholarshipBenefitsProvider
Harvard Financial Aid100% of demonstrated financial need Harvard University
BigFuture ScholarshipsScholarships worth $500 and $40,000College Board
Aga Khan Scholarship50% grant and 50% loan for covering study costs Aga Khan Foundation
AIF Clinton FellowshipDomestic travel, emergency support, insurance coverage, and a monthly living stipend American Indian Foundation William J. Clinton Fellowship 
Funding for MD StudentsTuition and statutory costs Harvard Medical School (HMS)
MBAID ScholarshipsFull or partial tuition costsHarvard Business School (HBS)

Source: Official University Website

Eligibility Criteria for Harvard Scholarships 

Here are the general eligibility criteria for some Harvard scholarships: 

ScholarshipEligibility Criteria 
Harvard Financial AidFinancial 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 FellowshipCandidates 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 StudentsFinancial need is the sole criterion (this is calculated by deducting the family contribution from mandatory and tuition costs).
MBAID ScholarshipsThe 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. 

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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.

Pragya Sharma

Sr. Content Editor

Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and has now scaled up as a 360-degree content professional well-versed with the intricacies of digital marketing and different forms of content used to drive and hook the target audience. She is also a co-author of 2 stories in an anthology based on the theme- women empowerment.

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