Harvard Financial Aid for International Students
Harvard is one of a small handful of US universities that practises need-blind admission for international applicants and commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need with grant-based aid (no loans). Under the policy refreshed for the 2025-26 cycle, families earning under USD 100,000 pay nothing — tuition, room, board, and fees are fully covered. Families earning up to USD 200,000 pay no tuition. This is not a competitive named scholarship — it is the standard Harvard financial-aid package, available to Sri Lankan students who are admitted.
Harvard University
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Income < USD 100k
Zero Family Contribution
Income < USD 200k
Tuition Fully Covered
Coverage
100% of Demonstrated Need
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Admitted to Harvard
You must first be admitted to Harvard College (undergraduate) or a Harvard graduate school. International applicants are admitted on the same need-blind basis as US citizens — ability to pay does not affect the admission decision.
Open to All Nationalities
Sri Lankan students are eligible on the same terms as US students. No separate scholarship application — financial aid is calculated from your family's documented income and assets.
CSS Profile + IDOC
Submit the CSS Profile (College Board) and IDOC (International Documentation) with translated copies of your family's tax returns, bank statements, and income proof. This is the application for financial aid.
Need-Based, Not Merit
Aid is determined by family income, assets, household size, and unusual expenses — not by grades, test scores, or talent. There are no merit-only Harvard undergraduate scholarships.
account_tree Application Process
Apply to Harvard (Common App)
Submit your undergraduate application via the Common App or Coalition Application by the Restrictive Early Action (1 November) or Regular Decision (1 January) deadline. Tick the box indicating you will apply for financial aid — this does not affect the admissions decision.
Submit CSS Profile + IDOC
Complete the College Board CSS Profile and upload supporting documents via IDOC. Translate Sri Lankan tax and income documents into English. Deadlines mirror the admissions deadline.
Receive Aid Package with Admission
If admitted, your financial-aid letter arrives alongside your offer of admission. The expected family contribution is clearly itemised.
Re-Apply Annually
Financial aid is recalculated each year — re-submit your CSS Profile and updated income documents in spring for the following academic year.
Why Harvard?
Ranked #4 globally, Harvard combines world-leading academics with one of the most generous need-based aid packages on earth — 55%+ of Harvard College students receive scholarship aid, and the average aided student pays under USD 15,000 / year all-in.
#4
QS World Ranking 2026
55%+
Students on Aid
USD 0
For Families < $100k
Similar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars
Stanford University
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
US Department of State
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
US Department of State