The true cost of a Harvard education and the secrets to making it affordable for students from the US, India, China, and beyond. When you hear the words Harvard University you probably think of two things: prestige and a whole lot of money. The sticker price is enough to make anyone’s eyes water. But here is the thing: that big scary number is not what most people actually pay.
The Sticker Shock
First let us look at the full price tag. For a single year including tuition room board and fees the total cost of attendance can be upwards of eighty thousand US dollars. That is a huge amount of money for anyone whether you are in the US India or China. It is easy to look at that number and think “well there goes my dream.”
The Financial Aid Reality
Here is the secret that Harvard admissions doesn’t always shout from the rooftops: very few students pay that full sticker price. Harvard has a massive endowment which is basically a giant savings account. They use a lot of this money to provide financial aid. In fact they are “need blind” for US citizens and permanent residents meaning your ability to pay does not affect your chances of getting in.
How to Lower the Cost
For international students the process is a little different but the goal is the same: to make it affordable. You will need to fill out forms like the CSS Profile and provide detailed information about your family’s finances. This can be a headache but it is worth it.
The Bottom Line
Don’t let the sticker price scare you away from applying. Harvard’s financial aid is based on need not merit and they are committed to meeting 100% of your demonstrated need. So if you get in they will work with you to make sure you can afford to go. Focus on your application and your dreams not the price tag.
Has anyone tried a different approach here? Curious if it scales well.