The Ins and Outs of Harvard Scholarship Programs

iEditorial Note: These blog posts represent the opinion of DoNotPay’s Writers, but each person’s situation and circumstances vary greatly. As a result, you should make sure to do your own independent research. Because everyone is unique, our self-help tools are never guaranteed to help with any specific situation. DoNotPay is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and is not equivalent to the services of a licensed lawyer. DoNotPay provides a platform for legal information and self-help, and does not offer legal services. Third party news articles mentioned on our website do not necessarily reflect the views of the company, or the current services that we offer.

Understanding How Harvard Scholarship Programs Work

Harvard makes a promise that no student admitted at the institution can drop out due to schooling expenses. This Ivy League school covers 100% of students' expenses during their undergraduate studies. If you’d like to know how to secure a Harvard scholarship, read this guide to learn how the programs work.

The Basics of Harvard University Scholarships

Harvard University scholarships can be categorized as follows:

  1. Need-based scholarships
  2. Federal and state grants
  3. Restricted graduate scholarships
  4. International graduate students scholarships

Need-Based Scholarships

Harvard University offers need-based scholarships to help students who face financial hardship cover their education-related expenses. Students who receive this financial aid must reapply every year.

The school determines the amount students can receive on a case-by-case basis. Here’s what the process looks like:

  1. The school considers parents’ contribution and determines the award amount a student should receive according to that
  2. Any student employment remuneration or outside scholarships are deducted from the award amount
  3. The remaining expenses are covered by a Harvard need-based scholarship

The financial aid package for each academic year is influenced by the changes in a student’s financial situation and external awards they received.

Federal and State Grants

Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents can be eligible for the following federal and state grants:

Grant NameWho Is It For?
Federal Pell GrantAwarded to students who qualify for federal grants after filing the FAFSA
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)You must be eligible for the Pell Grant to receive this grant
Gilbert GrantThe grant is available to Massachusetts residents

These grants are awarded by the federal and state governments and administered by Havard’s financial aid office. Students must demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA form to apply.

Restricted Graduate Scholarships

Harvard offers restricted scholarships funded by alumni and individual donors to support particular types of grad students. The eligibility criteria for these scholarships include:

  • Ancestry or name
  • Birthplace, residency, or citizenship
  • Schools the applicant has attended

To secure a restricted scholarship, you must be nominated by the Havard school you are enrolled in. You can find an opportunity that matches your profile and ask the financial aid office for consideration. If selected, you might be required to submit paperwork that confirms your eligibility for the award.

International Graduate Students Scholarships

Harvard offers a number of scholarships for international students who attend professional and graduate schools. These programs are offered based on the country of origin. You should check the programs available in your country, read the details, and apply according to the guidelines.

Outside Scholarships and Grants

Harvard students can also receive scholarships from organizations outside of the University, but any award received must be reported to the school. These awards can replace Havard’s need-based scholarships.

How To Find Harvard Scholarships

The administration of most Harvard scholarships is usually done by the financial aid offices at each Harvard school. You should begin your scholarship search by contacting the financial aid office in your respective school to discuss the available opportunities and application process.

If you wish to find outside scholarships, you can do so by:

  • Checking with civic organizations in your area
  • Browsing through the National Merit Scholarship Program website
  • Searching online, using the terms that describe your demographic profile, such as women, high school seniors, college students, veterans, Asians, Native Americans, Muslims, Christians, etc.
  • Contacting your guidance counselor
  • Asking your religious institution
  • Visiting local foundations and organizations

For a more streamlined and faster search process, use DoNotPay. Our app will give you a list of all the scholarships that match your profile in less than five minutes. now and start applying for scholarships in no time.

How To Apply for a Scholarship for Harvard

The financial aid application process is the same for all Harvard students. Although you can apply for financial aid at any year of study, prospective students are advised to apply when submitting admission applications. Applying for financial aid does not affect the admission decision.

Here’s the application process for Harvard scholarships:

  1. Get in touch with the financial aid office of the Harvard school you will be attending
  2. Apply for financial aid by following your school’s guidelines

For outside scholarships, you may be required to submit cover letters, essays, personal statements, and recommendation letters.

The Easiest and Fastest Way To Find and Apply for Scholarships

Finding scholarships is tiresome and time-consuming, but there is a solution. DoNotPay will curate a personalized list of scholarships and grants for you to help you make your search as easy and quick as possible. You will never worry about a missed opportunity again. To use our app, follow these steps:

  1. Pick our Apply for Scholarships product
  2. Answer a couple of questions about your education level and academic interests

We will use the information you provide to generate a comprehensive list of all the scholarships you can apply for. You can also choose to have our app send your applications for any no-essay scholarship automatically.

Explore DoNotPay’s Product Range

Are you looking for additional assistance from our app? We’re happy to inform you that DoNotPay provides you with a number of useful tools that you can use to complete mundane tasks in the blink of an eye! Sign up for our app and let us help you get:

DoNotPay Resolves Your Financial Issues in a Few Taps

You don’t have to struggle to figure out how to resolve financial problems yourself when you have our app at your disposal. In only a few clicks, you’ll be able to discover any unclaimed money under your name, submit insurance and warranty claims, or request compensation for delayed flights.

But that is not all! Lowering your utility bills, appealing parking tickets, or canceling memberships and subscriptions is also something you can do in no time and with minimum effort if you use DoNotPay! Work smarter, not harder!

Fight for your rights