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United States Closing soon Closes 1 November 2026

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.

Ongoing — apply alongside your Harvard admission application

Harvard University

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Income < USD 100k

Zero Family Contribution

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Income < USD 200k

Tuition Fully Covered

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Coverage

100% of Demonstrated Need

info How this award actually works

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Who awards it

Harvard University — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.

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What it covers

100% Need-Met (incl. International). This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.

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Where we come in

We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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