Tuition, Cost & Aid

Harvard's financial aid is probably the best in the country. (I received a much bigger scholarship than I thought I would.) What's great is that the scholarships are need-based and Harvard does its absolute best to meet 100% of your need.

By and far, Harvard has the best financial aid of any college in the world. Income < $60k, you're in for free. FREE. You can't beat free. Even upper income family receive a lot of aid here.

In many cases, they'll even send you refund checks when you have a positive balance from extra outside scholarship money.

This university is definitely worth the tuition, and I would defintiely make the decision to go here again. The current financial aid program is excellent and is much better than the aid offered by other private universities, including the other Ivy League schools.

Harvard is one of the leading institutions for comprehensive and extensive financial aid. If you get into Harvard, you will not have to worry about paying to actually go. Harvard will make sure that you are able to attend. Undoubtedly, there are many costs that are not included in one's financial aid package like airfare, but considering the uniqueness of this school, it's definitely big bang for all your buck.

You have to acknowledge that most of your money goes to the name. As I mentioned before, you learn the same material at other universities in the same fashion. If you choose to go to Harvard or other big name universities, you have to understand that the education you receive won’t be light years better than that from other colleges. So in that sense, for all the extra money you pay, the education really is not the “bang for the buck”. However, it’s the opportunities and the atmosphere that are different. A less prestigious university may offer an education that’s close in scope to that of Harvard, but can it also offer a talented, worldly student body? Can it offer the same level of enrichment and depth to the education it gives? Can it offer quality and variety in its subjects of study? Harvard has its advantages here – not only are there the resources, but the resources are present in all its subjects of study. As a liberal arts college, Harvard focuses on breadth and opportunity, and you, as a student, reap the benefits of this focus since you can choose any field and know you’ll receive a quality education. Other universities specialize in certain studies, and are quite strong within those limited areas. However, if you choose to go there and either change your mind on your major or wish for a more broad education, you may find the opportunities lacking. To me, Harvard is worth every penny of its very expensive tuition for these reasons – it combines a superb, expansive education with endless opportunities and incredible networking.

So, I am on practically full financial aid, so this is skewed, but I really love my experience here. Also if you are on significant financial aid, they'll help you get a winter coat, and pay for 5 event tickets a semester. There are plenty of free, fun things, and you probably won't use them for much more than formals and the occasional show, but it's great that it's there.

The best kept secret about Harvard: their financial aid is amazing. Honestly if it weren't for the aid, I'd be taking out $35-40000 a year in student loans, but I'm saved by their amazing alumni and their donations. I sound kind of like a sellout, but they're the reason I get to go to this amazing school, so yeah I kind of am. The classes are amazing (even if they're tough, and sometimes a little unorganized), the people you meet and the experience you have every day is something that has no price tag on it. No, not even a $70,000 debt every year would have stopped me now that I know what it's like.

Several top tiered private schools advertise that their financial aid packages are amazing, but Harvard University is the only one that has supported their words with tangible proof. I received a more than generous financial aid package. They also have tons of unique financial aid programs such as a computer reimbursement program where the institution will reimburse up to $2,000 for a new computer and/or related gadgets. Depending on your financial situation, they will also give you money for winter clothes! Tons of grants are also available if you are interested in traveling/studying abroad or even if you would like to throw social events! The Office of Careers and Services, as well as other clubs on campus, will guide you along the grant application process as well!

The only downside is that they only allow you to apply $4,000 of outside scholarship money to your fees. This policy stems from their philosophy that their financial requests are very reasonable and therefore you should be able to meet their requests. Any outside scholarships you receive that exceed the $4,000 is put in Harvard’s bank to use as they see fit.

Living, learning, and sharing ideas with some of the most intellectual, famous, interesting people in the world? An unlimited meal plan? Beautiful old buildings kept in pristine condition? A wonderful location? Priceless.

Harvard is not cheap, but if your family qualifies, financial aid is very generous. It is a true investment in your future. A Harvard degree is a strong starting place for any career, which means you will probably be able to pay off any debts you incur.