How to Get a Scholarship for Harvard

When you think of Harvard University, your first thought is academic excellence, immediately followed by expensive. Along with being known as one of the most incredibly prestigious universities in the world, Harvard is also known for being one of the most expensive universities, and if you’re not a genius or come from a wealthy family, the chances of being able to afford their cost of attendance is slim to none which can be discouraging for students with a dream. Luckily for you, there is a way to be able to afford Harvard’s costly tuition bill, and it doesn’t have to lead to a future of student loan debt.

Today’s article talks about how to get a scholarship for Harvard University. We will cover everything from what Ivy League is, types of aid, and how you can land a scholarship to Harvard University. So, if you’re interested in going to Harvard but question how you will be able to foot the bill, don’t worry. Where there’s a will, Bold.org is here to show you the way! 

Need additional funding? Make a profile on Bold.org and apply for exclusive scholarships that support your future Ivy League education.

What is the Ivy League?

The Ivy League is an American collegiate group that consists of eight colleges and universities with high academic and social prestige in the northeastern United States. This group includes Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, and the University of Pennsylvania Ivy League. These schools are renowned for their highly selective admission process, academic excellence, and promising career opportunities for students who attend.

According to Harvard, the admissions rate for the 2028 graduating class is 3.59%, the highest acceptance rate in the last four years. This means they are highly selective with their students, as well as faculty. Harvard is committed to providing students a quality education through a challenging curriculum and rigorous academic schedule to ensure strong and prepared future professionals.

Please note: Harvard is committed to affordability with scholarships designed to cover 100% of your demonstrated financial need. Harvard financial aid comes in many forms, like need-based financial aid or merit-based financial aid. Each school is responsible for creating an individualized aid package for each student. See up-to-date information on Harvard's website.

What to Expect at an Ivy League Institution

Getting into an Ivy leave institution is an incredible accomplishment. It means you’ve dedicated your time to your studies and achieved a level of academic excellence not everyone strives for. But for students who do aim for an Ivy League education should expect a highly selective and competitive admissions processes. Ivy leagues admit only a small percentage of applicants each year which means more studying, higher grades, and meaningful extracurriculars for an impressive application.

Students attending an Ivy League can also expect a diverse, active student body that includes international students from all brilliant corners of the world. These schools honor unique campus cultures that enrich student life, along with traditions and activities. An inclusive and diverse environment builds an intimate learning environment for schools as they tend to admit a select number of students, which support strong student-to-faculty ratios.

Aside from the different walks of lives on campus, students can expect research opportunities exclusive to them as professors are actively engaged in various research projects. These opportunities, as well as simply attending an ivy league, can also lead to higher earning potential. 

But more importantly, students can expect a strong alumni network that extends far beyond the student's undergraduate years. If you’ve ever heard that saying “it’s not what you know—it’s who you know,” you know how beneficial that can be during your undergraduate years. Not only can it expand your list of contacts, it can also put you in positions for personal and professional growth.

Opportunities for Ivy League Funding

Now, we know tuition isn’t cheap at a traditional university/college, but Ivy Leagues are in a different tax bracket. This shouldn’t stop you from aiming high, though! These days students can fund their Ivy League dreams through funding programs from a variety of sources like Harvard endowment funds or donor-advised funds through Bold.org designed specifically for an Harvard education.

Others way of funding include, but are not limited to:

• Full-ride scholarships
• Merit-based scholarships
• Need-based scholarships
• Grants
• Federal work study

Please keep in mind that each school has rules and regulations for distributing federal student aid packages and scholarship funds. For example, Harvard Law School does not offer merit scholarships and has a preliminary Student Application form to apply for need-based financial aid to determine financial aid eligibility.

Though full-ride scholarships are not typically offered at Harvard, you can still apply for full-rides through other resources like Bold.org. The institution is also still committed to affordability and offers financial assistance based on need. It’s always important to do your due diligence and research all avenues of funding. Take the time to research the program and school you wish to enroll in to see what work-study options are available to you along with their financial aid packages. Each school and program may have different eligibility requirements, so be sure to start your search sooner rather than later.

Harvard University

According to recent enrollment statistics, Harvard University's college admissions rate of 4%. This Ivy League school accepted a record low of 3.19% of applicants for 2026. So, when a school is this particular about its student body, how do they distribute their funds?

How Harvard Distributes Aid

As previously mentioned, Harvard offers students, including international, need-blind admissions, offering need-based financial aid rather than merit-based aid. So, how do they distribute their funds? Let’s talk about it.

One of the first things Harvard University looks at to determine a student's financial aid package is parent contribution. Family income helps the federal government and Harvard determine the estimated parental contribution, which is a determining factor for funding your college education. The Harvard admissions team works closely with your family to ensure open communication about affordable attendance and expectations. If 100% of demonstrated need is shown, eligible students may be able to receive aid for all four years.

Secondly, Harvard factors in student employment and funds from outside awards. Because they are a need-based institution, Harvard Business School verifies all streams of income to determine how much aid is available to an applicant depending on their income.

GPA Requirements

It’s important to note that no specific GPA is required for a Harvard scholarship. Though most students tend to have higher than average GPAs and demonstrate leadership skills, it is not a factor in aid distribution. All aid offered through Harvard University is need-based. To receive a Harvard University scholarship, a student must submit a financial aid application and have demonstrated the need to obtain a fulfilling financial aid package from Harvard.

However, if you do have an impressive GPA and need extra funding, seek out scholarships that are looking for top performers! Bold.org has exclusive scholarship opportunities for students with certain GPAs.

Any Harvard student can inquire at the school’s financial aid office to find out what financial aid packages they are eligible for. Scholarships are available for students of all backgrounds. If you're an international student applying for a Harvard scholarship, you can also receive a need-based financial aid package.

International Students

Harvard University scholarships for international students vary depending on the school a student enrolls in. Students from other countries are eligible to receive financial assistance on the same basis as Americans at Harvard. For international students, Harvard College offers jobs and scholarship money.

As an international student planning to attend Harvard graduate school, contact the Harvard University Committee on General Scholarships to find out what Harvard University scholarship program may work for you and inquire about any additional resources.

Applying for Scholarships

Now that you’ve decided on Harvard, it’s time to start applying for those scholarships! Here are some things to consider when applying for Harvard scholarships:

• Pay attention to ALL application deadlines.
• Gather required application materials early.
• Don’t ignore small scholarship amounts—every penny counts!
• Request letters of recommendation early; ask mentors, teachers, colleagues, etc.
• Write a great essay.
• Apply, apply, apply.
• Believe in yourself!

Good luck on your scholarship hunt. If you have any questions about the applications process, check out our article here for more information. Happy applying!

Frequently asked questions about Harvard scholarships

What GPA is required for a Harvard scholarship?

Fortunately for students, no specific GPA is required for a Harvard scholarship, though most students tend to have higher than average GPAs and demonstrate leadership skills, community involvement, passion, and integrity. All aid offered through Harvard University is need-based. To receive a Harvard University scholarship, a student must submit a financial aid application and have demonstrated the need to obtain a fulfilling financial aid package from Harvard. However, if you do have an impressive GPA and need extra funding, seek out scholarships that are looking for top performers! Bold.org has exclusive scholarship opportunities for students with certain GPAs.

Does Harvard award scholarships to international students?

Yes, Harvard University does offer international student’s need-based financial assistance. Contact the Harvard University Committee on General Scholarships to find out what Harvard University scholarship program may work for you and inquire about any additional resources specifically for international students.

Bold.org understands the importance of education, which is why the platform is dedicated to fighting student loan debt by offering college students gratifying scholarship opportunities. Several excellent scholarships for domestic and international students are available here at Bold.org.

Where can you find Ivy League funding?

Though Harvard doesn’t typically offer full-ride scholarships or merit-based scholarships, they do offer need-based scholarships to those who need it. Student’s can also apply for grants, other kinds of scholarships, and federal work study through the school. Students should fill out a FAFSA application to ensure what they do and do not qualify for and inquire about work study with the school.

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