Harvard University, situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, is a private Ivy League research university. According to the QS World Rankings, it is the 3rd best university globally. The university provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programmes in several subjects, including business, education, engineering and applied sciences, public health, law, medicine, and the arts and humanities.
Harvard University provides financial aid for Indian students to enrol in different study programs in the form of “Harvard University Scholarships for Indian Students.” These aids are distributed through scholarships, loans, and student employment. So, while you work on your application, let us help you with Harvard University scholarships that will take you closer to your dream of studying in this legacy institution.
Harvard University Scholarships for Indian Students
Several Harvard University scholarships are sponsored for Indian students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral programmes. The application procedure and qualifying requirements change based on the scholarship.
For Indian students, getting the Harvard University scholarship could be a game changer. It provides access to excellent resources, education of the highest calibre, and the opportunity to network with creative thinkers from across the world.
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Some of the scholarships available for Indian students include:
| Scholarships | Benefits | Providers |
| Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship | Students who completed their bachelor’s degree and want to work in public service are eligible to apply for this fellowship. Full tuition, health insurance, and a living stipend are all provided by the fellowship. | Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation & Richard L. Menschel |
| Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship | When a student is accepted into the Harvard MBA programme, they will receive this scholarship. Financial aid totaling $95,000 over two years is awarded through the scholarship. | Boustany Foundation |
| The Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowship | Students who completed their bachelor’s degree and want to work in the life sciences are eligible to apply for this fellowship. The fellowship covers living expenses in addition to tuition in full. | Robert S. Kalpan |
| Need-Based Fellowships | Students who can demonstrate their financial need are eligible for need-based fellowships from Harvard University. These fellowships give a stipend for living expenses in addition to covering the entire cost of tuition. | Harvard Business School |
Eligibility for Scholarships
Harvard University scholarships are usually classified into four types. Students from India need to apply for a scholarship under the prospective international students’ scholarship category. Here’s a list of Harvard University scholarships for Indian students, along with the eligibility criteria:
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Application Period |
| Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship | – Aspirants should have a bachelor’s degree.– One should have a minimum IELTS score of 7.5.– The TOEFL score should not be below 109.– PTE score has to be a minimum of 75.– Candidates should have the experience of serving full-time leadership roles in a non-profit organisation.– Students should come with relevant experience and have to appear for an interview after being shortlisted. | January to March |
| Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship | – Students can opt for this scholarship only after successful admission to MBA courses at Harvard.– One needs to have an outstanding academic background.– Selected applicants have to appear for an interview. | January to May |
| The Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowship | – Applicants should have an excellent academic background in the field of life science. – One has to have a bachelor’s degree.– There should be a minimum IELTS score band of 7.5, TOEFL score of 109, and PTE score of 75.– Work experience in a relevant field is necessary.– Shortlisted candidates have to sit for an interview. | January to March |
| Need-Based Fellowships | – A minimum TOEFL score of 109, an IELTS score band of 7.5 or a PTE score of 75.– Candidates should come with relevant experience.– Those shortlisted are required to sit for an interview.– Aspirants should have outstanding performance in either academic or professional fields. | January to March |
Application Process & Steps to Apply for Scholarships
Applying for a scholarship at Harvard University is an important process. Some scholarships do not require students to apply separately, as they are automatically considered for financial aid during the application process. However, Students must submit a separate application for some of the scholarships. You must check the eligibility requirements on the official scholarship websites to see if you qualify to apply for any of the above-mentioned scholarships.
The steps to apply for scholarships at Harvard University for Indian students are outlined in the following sections.
1. Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship
Students will not have to draft a separate application for this scholarship. The university authorities will automatically consider students for this scholarship while they apply for the particular study programs.
2. Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship
Candidates will have to check all relevant eligibility criteria to find out if they qualify for this scholarship. After that, they have to send the necessary documents to admissions@boustany-foundation.org.
3. The Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowship
This Harvard University scholarship for Indian students does not require a separate application. Candidates will be auto-considered as they apply for the relevant courses.
4. Need-based Fellowships
Candidates do not have to submit a separate application to receive this grant. The university will automatically consider this scholarship at the time of application.
Document Requirements at Harvard for Indian Students
Depending on the scholarship, different Indian students must submit different applications for Harvard University scholarships. However, some of the documentation requirements are as follows:
- Properly filled online application form
- Application fees
- Language proficiency test score
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume
- Recommendation letter
- Portfolio
- Interview
- Transcripts
Benefits of Harvard Scholarships for Indian Students
Here are several benefits for Indian students of Harvard University Scholarships.
- It gives access to one of the most renowned colleges in the world, offering an outstanding educational experience.
- You’ll be able to learn from renowned professors and interact with students of various backgrounds.
- The scholarship makes education more affordable for Indian students by paying for living expenses, tuition, and other educational costs.
- Access to international networking, research opportunities, and esteemed internships are all made possible by being a Harvard scholar.
Final Thoughts
The financial aid program for students at Harvard University aims to provide equal opportunities to everyone who wishes to pursue higher education from the institution.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How much does an Indian student get from Boustany Foundation- MBA Scholarship?
Ans. Students qualifying for the Boustany Foundation- MBA Program are eligible to receive $95,000 for 2 years towards the tuition fee. One can also get accommodation and travel expenses during Boustany Foundation internships.
Q. What is the Harvard University tuition fee?
Ans. The tuition fee at Harvard University can be quite high for both domestic and international students. It can cost around $44,900 for a year. In addition, students are required to pay $3,950 as fees, $10,000 for accommodation and $6,630 for the board. The entire cost for one year would stand at around $65,000. This figure is for the post-graduation course. For undergraduate courses, candidates have to pay around $50,000 per year. However, one can avail of fully-funded scholarships from the university.
Q. How is the scholarship requirement determined at Harvard?
Ans. The Harvard University scholarship is determined on the basis of the yearly family income and not on one’s merit. The financial aid officials work in close collaboration with the students’ families to find out how much they can contribute from their side and how much they would require in aid.  In some cases, the families have to pay about 10% of the tuition fees, while some families might qualify for a fully-sponsored study program. Students might also have to contribute through term-time work or summer-time employment. Term-time work constitutes about 10-12 hours of work every week.
Q. Is therea GMAT/GRE wavier for Harvard?
Ans. Harvard Business School does not offer MBA applicants a GMAT or GRE waiver. You must submit results from at least one of these exams. Furthermore, at the time of your application, the scores shouldn’t be older than five years. Though Harvard Business School does permit you to turn in the results of online exams that do not require written AWA.
Q. What is the acceptance rate for Harvard University scholarships?
Ans. Harvard University is one of the world’s most selective universities, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of 3.4%. However, the Harvard University scholarship acceptance rate is not made public. Each scholarship has different requirements for eligibility and an application process.
Q. Who is eligible for the Harvard scholarship?
Ans. Scholarship Aid is entirely need-based and takes into account a number of variables, including the size, income, assets, and unusual expenses of your family. We don’t have preferential packaging policies or merit-based awards that make certain students’ prizes more appealing than others.
Q. Who gets free tuition at Harvard?
Ans. The cost of Harvard depends on your family’s budget. You won’t have to pay anything if your family makes less than $85,000 annually. The expected contribution ranges from 0% to 10% of your yearly income for families making between $85,000 and $150,000.
Q. What is the cost of living in Harvard?
Ans. A single scholar attending Harvard for a year ought to have about $30,000 set aside for living expenses. Several academics have discovered that, depending on their unique situations and lifestyles, their real living expenses are significantly higher.
Q. What should I do to improve my chances for a scholarship?
Ans. Although the university sets its own standards for awarding scholarships, your chances can be enhanced by showcasing strong leadership abilities through previous employment, receiving favourable letters of recommendation from supervisors or colleagues, demonstrating a clear sense of purpose through SOPs, and having a high GPA in the bachelor’s programme.
Q. Can I apply to Harvard after my 12th?
Ans. The university determines its own criteria for scholarship recipients, but prior work experience that demonstrates strong leadership skills, positive letters of recommendation from colleagues or supervisors, a clear mission statement expressed through SOPs, and a strong GPA in the bachelor’s programme can all help an applicant’s chances.
Q. What is the GPA score accepted by Harvard University for Scholarships?
Ans. The GPA of the students must be 4.18 or higher. The student must raise his SAT score to make up for any deficiencies in his GPA.
Q. What is the fees for Indian Students for MBA in Harvard University?
Ans. Harvard University’s MBA programme has different tuition costs. The MBA programme will cost $112,764 in total for the 2022–2023 academic year. Indian students can choose from a range of financial aid options provided by Harvard Business School. The average need-based scholarship is approximately $80,000 for two years, or $40,000 annually.
