Harvard University offers scholarships based on financial need or athletic ability. The reviewer did not receive a scholarship from Harvard but did have a graduate scholarship at New York University (NYU).
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Harvard University offers 50+ scholarships and fellowship programs, of which 30+ are accessible to Indian applicants.
Aid at Harvard is almost entirely need-based, not merit-based. The university is need-blind for international undergraduates and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.
- Standard undergraduate tuition (2026-27): USD 62,226 (INR 52.58 Lakhs) per year
- With need-based aid (family income under USD 85,000 / INR 71.83 Lakhs): USD 0 tuition, full parent contribution waived
- Full scholarship + housing + food + health insurance combo: total value USD 95,134 to 100,134 (INR 80.39 to 84.61 Lakhs) per year
- Next major deadline: Harvard College Restrictive Early Action closes November 1, 2026; Regular Decision closes January 1, 2027
Currency Note: All INR conversions use the live rate of 1 USD = INR 84.50 as of July 2026. "Need-blind" means an applicant’s ability to pay does not affect admission decisions. "Demonstrated need" is the gap between total cost and what a family can pay based on Harvard’s own aid formula.
Table of Contents
- Harvard University Scholarships for UG Students
- Harvard University Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
- India-Specific Scholarships at Harvard University
- Harvard University PhD Scholarships
- External Government Scholarships for Harvard University
- Harvard University Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
Harvard University Scholarships for UG Students
Harvard College uses one unified need-based aid programme instead of dozens of named merit awards. Indian undergraduates apply for admission and aid together.
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility for Indian Applicants | Deadline (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard College Scholarship (Griffin Financial Aid) | Up to USD 95,134 (INR 80.39 Lakhs) per year covering tuition, housing, food and health insurance | Admitted undergraduate; family need assessed via CSS Profile and tax documents | November 1, 2026 (Early Action); January 1, 2027 (Regular Decision) |
| Harvard Full Scholarship for Low-Income Families | USD 62,226 tuition (INR 52.58 Lakhs) plus USD 23,192 room, board and insurance (INR 19.60 Lakhs) fully covered | Family income under USD 85,000 (INR 71.83 Lakhs) with typical assets | Same as Harvard College application |
| Start-Up Grant | USD 2,000 (INR 1.69 Lakhs) one-time payment | First-year Indian students on financial aid, arriving on campus | Awarded automatically at matriculation in August 2027 |
| Term-Time On-Campus Employment | USD 3,500 (INR 2.96 Lakhs) per year via campus jobs | Undergraduates receiving Harvard aid; F-1 visa allows 20 hours per week on campus | Job placement in September 2026 for fall term |
Harvard’s need analysis does not use a fixed loan or family self-help expectation. Indian families earning between USD 85,000 and USD 150,000 (INR 71.83 to 126.75 Lakhs) still contribute a small parent share. That share is typically 10% or less of income.
The Griffin Financial Aid application requires the CSS Profile (fee waived for aid applicants), parental income tax records and bank statements. Documents must be uploaded through the Applicant Portal by mid-February 2027.
Harvard University Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
Master’s-level aid at Harvard varies sharply by school. HBS, HKS and HGSE offer generous need-based fellowships. GSAS master’s programmes provide limited funding.
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility for Indian Applicants | Deadline (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBS MBA Need-Based Fellowship | Average USD 46,000 (INR 38.87 Lakhs) per year; two-year total near USD 100,000 (INR 84.50 Lakhs) | Admitted MBA students; awarded on demonstrated need using tax, salary and asset data | September 4, 2026 (Round 1); January 6, 2027 (Round 2) |
| Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Fellowship | USD 20,000 to full tuition of USD 55,000+ (INR 16.90 to 46.48 Lakhs) per year | Admitted MPP, MPA and MPA/ID candidates; considers need and public-service commitment | December 1, 2026 (application closes) |
| Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) Scholarship | Average USD 30,000 (INR 25.35 Lakhs); some cover full tuition | Admitted Ed.M. and Ed.L.D. students; auto-considered on admission | January 7, 2027 (Ed.M. application closes) |
| Harvard Law School LL.M. Financial Aid | Up to USD 78,000 (INR 65.91 Lakhs) tuition plus living stipend for full-need candidates | Admitted LL.M. applicants; needs-tested | December 1, 2026 (LL.M. application closes) |
| SEAS Master’s Fellowship (limited) | Partial tuition awards up to USD 20,000 (INR 16.90 Lakhs) per year | Admitted MS Computer Science, Data Science or Engineering students; merit-plus-need | December 15, 2026 (SEAS master’s deadline) |
| GSAS Master’s Departmental Aid | Partial tuition of USD 5,000 to USD 15,000 (INR 4.23 to 12.68 Lakhs) per year, rarely more | Admitted GSAS AM and SM candidates; department-nominated, not applied for separately | December 2026 to January 2027 (varies by department) |
Reddit Insight: HBS applicants report the average USD 46,000-per-year need-based fellowship kicks in mostly for those with family income below USD 100,000 and modest assets. Six-figure salary applicants typically get zero HBS aid and rely on JN Tata Endowment or a US private loan.
GSAS master’s programmes (AM, SM, ME) fund very few students. Indian applicants targeting a Harvard master’s almost always plan around external funding from Fulbright, Inlaks or JN Tata.
India-Specific Scholarships at Harvard University
Harvard runs a small number of programmes and grants aimed specifically at applicants from India or students working on India-related research.
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility for Indian Applicants | Deadline (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard South Asia Institute Graduate Student Grants | USD 500 to USD 5,000 (INR 42,250 to INR 4.23 Lakhs) per project | Enrolled Harvard graduate students conducting research in or on India | February 15, 2027 (Spring cycle); October 15, 2026 (Fall cycle) |
| Harvard South Asia Institute Winter Session Grants | USD 3,000 (INR 2.54 Lakhs) travel and research grant | Harvard undergraduate and graduate students spending January in India | November 1, 2026 |
| Tata Fellowship for the Study of India (HBS) | Full tuition plus stipend of roughly USD 130,000 (INR 109.85 Lakhs) over two years | Indian citizens admitted to HBS MBA committing to work in India post-MBA | Awarded to admitted MBA students; tied to HBS deadlines |
| Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship | Partial tuition contribution of USD 95,000 (INR 80.28 Lakhs) plus travel allowance | Admitted MBA candidates with an internship placement at Boustany Foundation; Indians eligible | Applications open March 2027 for the 2027 MBA intake |
| Harvard Presidential Scholarship (HKS) | Up to full tuition of USD 55,000+ (INR 46.48 Lakhs) per year | Admitted MPA/ID students from developing countries including India | December 1, 2026 (HKS application deadline) |
The South Asia Institute grants are small but competitive. They matter for Indian students in humanities, public health, education and design departments where department-level PG aid is thin.
The Tata Fellowship at HBS is the highest-value India-tied award. Only a handful of recipients are named each MBA cohort.
Harvard University PhD Scholarships
All Harvard PhD students receive full funding for the standard duration of their programme. Aid packages are automatic; there is no separate scholarship application.
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility for Indian Applicants | Deadline (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSAS PhD Funding Package (Years 1-2) | Tuition USD 59,048 (INR 49.90 Lakhs) plus stipend of about USD 50,976 (INR 43.07 Lakhs) plus health insurance | Admitted PhD student in any GSAS department; automatic on offer | December 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 (varies by department) |
| GSAS PhD Continuation Support (Years 3-5) | Reduced tuition of USD 15,352 (INR 12.97 Lakhs) plus teaching or research fellowship stipend of about USD 50,000 (INR 42.25 Lakhs) | PhD students in good standing after the G2 year | No application; continues with departmental review |
| GSAS Dissertation Completion Fellowship | Full living stipend of about USD 30,000 (INR 25.35 Lakhs) for one year | G6 or G7 PhD students entering the final writing year | February 1, 2027 (departmental nomination) |
| Harvard Business School Doctoral Fellowship | Tuition plus stipend of USD 50,000 (INR 42.25 Lakhs) for five years | Admitted HBS PhD candidates (Marketing, OB, Strategy, Accounting) | December 1, 2026 |
| SEAS PhD Fellowship (CSE, Data Science, Applied Sciences) | Full tuition of USD 67,504 (INR 57.04 Lakhs) plus stipend of USD 50,000+ (INR 42.25 Lakhs) | Admitted SEAS PhD students; usually funded through research assistantships from Year 3 | December 15, 2026 |
Indian PhD applicants do not need external funding to survive at Harvard. The GSAS package is one of the most generous in the US and matches or beats Stanford, MIT and Princeton offers.
Reddit Insight: Indian doctoral students report the Year 1-2 stipend of roughly USD 4,250 per month (INR 3.59 Lakhs) covers Cambridge rent, food and MBTA transit. Roughly 20% of the stipend is left over for savings. Doctoral living costs run tighter for those with dependents on F-2 visas.
External Government Scholarships for Harvard University
Indian students at Harvard commonly stack one external Indian scholarship on top of Harvard aid. These external awards close much earlier than Harvard’s own deadlines.
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility for Indian Applicants | Deadline (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship (USIEF) | Full tuition, stipend, airfare and health cover for one or two academic years; value up to USD 80,000 (INR 67.60 Lakhs) | Indian citizens with at least 55% in Bachelor’s and 3 years of work experience | May 15, 2027 (annual cycle for Fall 2028 intake) |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | Up to USD 100,000 (INR 84.50 Lakhs) covering tuition, living and one-way airfare | Indian citizens under 30 with a first-class Bachelor’s; admitted to a Harvard master’s or PhD | March 15, 2027 (annual cycle opens November 2026) |
| JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | Gift component of INR 1 Lakh to INR 10 Lakhs plus interest-free loan of INR 1 Lakh to INR 10 Lakhs | Indian citizens with an excellent academic record; any Harvard programme | March 24, 2027 (annual application closes) |
| KC Mahindra Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad | Grant up to INR 10 Lakhs; six named awards of INR 25 Lakhs each (All-India Scholarship) | Indian citizens under 25 admitted to a Harvard master’s programme | March 31, 2027 (annual cycle) |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | 50% grant plus 50% loan; covers tuition and living for master’s programmes | Indian applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds; admitted to a Harvard master’s or PhD | March 31, 2027 (India office deadline) |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship | Interest-free loan of up to INR 20 Lakhs | Indian citizens under 30 admitted to a Harvard master’s or MBA | January 31, 2027 (annual cycle) |
- Apply to Harvard first: Most external Indian scholarships (Inlaks, KC Mahindra, JN Tata) require a Harvard admission offer before the grant is disbursed.
- Report external awards: Federal rules require applicants to inform the Harvard Financial Aid Office; grants may reduce the Harvard portion but never below full-need coverage.
- Deadline sequencing: Fulbright-Nehru closes in May 2027 for Fall 2028; KC Mahindra and JN Tata close in March 2027 for Fall 2027 intake.
The JN Tata Endowment and Inlaks Foundation are the two most common external awards stacked with Harvard need-based aid. Both allow the recipient to keep the Harvard fellowship alongside the external grant.
Explore More: Harvard University Overview | Harvard University Admissions | Harvard University Fees | Harvard University Programs | Harvard University Rankings
Harvard University Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the maximum scholarship stack an Indian student can build at Harvard University?
Ans. An Indian undergraduate from a family earning under USD 85,000 (INR 71.83 Lakhs) receives full tuition, housing, food and health insurance. That package covers USD 95,134 (INR 80.39 Lakhs) per year via the Harvard College Scholarship. A GSAS PhD student receives a full tuition waiver plus stipend and insurance worth about USD 110,000 (INR 92.95 Lakhs) per year for five years. Master’s applicants combine Harvard need-based aid with external grants like Fulbright-Nehru or Inlaks to reach roughly 90% cost coverage.
Ques. When should Indian applicants apply for Harvard University scholarships?
Ans. Undergraduates submit financial aid documents at the same time as the Harvard College application. Restrictive Early Action closes November 1, 2026; Regular Decision closes January 1, 2027. HBS MBA financial aid decisions arrive with admission offers. Round 1 closes September 4, 2026 and Round 2 closes January 6, 2027. External scholarships like Fulbright-Nehru and Inlaks close between March and May 2027 for Fall 2027 intake.
Ques. How does the Harvard University financial aid application work for Indian students?
Ans. Indian undergraduates complete the CSS Profile through the College Board, submit parental income tax returns translated into English and upload bank statements. The application fee is waived for financial aid candidates. HBS uses its own MBA Financial Aid application after admission. GSAS PhD funding is automatic on offer; no additional form is required.
Ques. What academic threshold do Indian applicants need to compete for Harvard University aid?
Ans. Harvard financial aid is need-based, not merit-based; there is no minimum GPA required to qualify for the aid itself. Admitted students are automatically considered for the Harvard College Scholarship. To be admitted first, undergraduates typically show 95%+ in Class 12 boards, SAT scores of 1500+ and IELTS 7.5 or TOEFL 110. Master’s applicants at HBS or HKS need a GMAT/GRE of 720+/325+ with several years of career progression.
Ques. How generous is the HBS MBA Need-Based Fellowship at Harvard University for Indian applicants?
Ans. The average HBS Need-Based Fellowship for Indian students is roughly USD 46,000 (INR 38.87 Lakhs) per year. Across the two-year MBA this totals about USD 100,000 (INR 84.50 Lakhs). HBS assesses need using undergraduate loans, current income, family assets and country cost-of-living. Indian applicants earning INR 15 Lakhs or below at admission typically receive above-average fellowship awards. Those earning INR 40 Lakhs+ usually receive minimal HBS aid and combine JN Tata or Prodigy Finance loans.
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Harvard University Scholarships: Students' Opinion
AI-Generated Summary based on 6 Reviews
By Collegedunia’s Personal AI
Scholarships offered
Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $10,000
- Type: College-Specific
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: 10
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $100,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Doctorate
- Number of Scholarships: 480
Go Clean Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $3,500
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1
BL Mandhana Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $10,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1
Novus Biological Scholarship Program
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $1,500
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Associate
- Number of Scholarships: 1
Business Administration Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: No
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
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Sciences (1)
6 Reviews Found
Likes
- I loved the open ended nature to study whatever I wished to study.
- I loved the faculty. They were very nice and warm .
Dislikes
- I would have appreciated a rigorous classroom environment.
Likes
- The people are what make it. The university inherently attracts the smartest people in the world and this is what makes your experience. I personally have a great number of smart and kind friends which have made my experience.
Dislikes
- The requirements of the university can be stringent and inflexible at times, but the aim is to become a better researcher. However, it’s an all encompassing requirement and I think each person should choose individually how they wish to spend their time.
Scholarship
None.
The experience so far has been great. Being surrounded by such excellent people is really where the benefit comes from. This enables one to fuel their research in a collaborative environment getting ideas from many people and making progress all the time.
0 0
Getting into Harvard is somewhat difficult because of its low admission rate of 3.44%. You need to have a GPA of above 4.22 and a TOEFL score of above 90 to have a fair chance of admission. You should get an SAT score of above 1500 to enhance your chances of admission.
0 0
Scholarship
NA
It's the best like no other University as good as Harvard in the world rankings. The computer was chosen by me because I found its content interesting.
0 0
Scholarship
I had a graduate scholarship at NYU and Harvard.
Brand name, Course structure, Location, Academic excellence, Entrepreneurial opportunities, Cross registration opportunities, Faculty, Career opportunities
0 0
Scholarship
I did not get a scholarship to Harvard, they base scholarships off of financial need or athletic ability.
I decided to attend Harvard because I saw it as an opportunity for a new experience. I wanted to go abroad, and I wanted to attend a university with some renown and where I was sure I would be supported. Harvard does not require that you apply to a specific major: they let you in based on potential and then you choose what you want to do in your second year, and that appealed to me.
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