# Affordability

**Source**: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/why-harvard/affordability
**Parent**: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply

24% of Harvard families pay nothing for their students to attend.

# Affordability

## Overview

You can afford Harvard.

We know that paying for college is a big concern for many families, and we’re committed to making a Harvard education – and the opportunities that come with it – possible for more students than ever.

## Dedicated to Affordability

Our goal is to bring the most promising students to Harvard—period. We've created a financial aid program to help ensure that admitted students can afford their Harvard education. Our financial aid officers will work closely with your family to understand your financial situation, then create a comprehensive financial aid package that accounts for the full cost of attendance.

## Affordability Video

This preview video does not contain audio.

Video description:

Harvard College provides need-based financial aid that allows us to bring the best students to Harvard, regardless of their family's ability to pay. Watch as a few students and staff members explain the program.

Watch "Financial Aid, Explained"
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## Assessing Your Need

Once you're admitted, the Financial Aid Committee will assess your family’s financial need and offer you an award to meet it. We determine need based on your family’s income, assets, and overall financial circumstances. You'll never be required to take on loans, and we typically don't factor in home equity or retirement savings when crafting your aid package. Most importantly, your financial situation will not affect your chances of admission to Harvard College.

We know that each student's financial circumstances are unique. Your financial aid officer will work with you all four years to understand your needs and take the stress out of affording Harvard.

[Learn about how aid works](https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/how-aid-works)

## Calculate Your Cost

In just five minutes, you can estimate how much your family will be expected to contribute to your Harvard education.

[Get Your Estimate](https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/net-price-calculator)

## What Does Harvard Cost?

Harvard costs what your family can afford. We make sure of that. 

$100,000 family income and below, with typical assets: **Free**

*Financial aid covers all billed expenses*, including tuition, fees, food, housing, and more, including a $2,000 start-up grant (first year), health insurance (if needed), travel costs between campus and home, winter gear, event fees, and other activities, and a $2,000 launch grant (junior year) to help students prepare for post-Harvard life. 

$200,000 family income and below, with typical assets: **Free Tuition Plus**  

*Financial aid covers the full cost of tuition, plus*. In addition to tuition, students qualify for financial aid to cover additional costs, such as fees, food, and housing, based on their individual financial circumstances. 

Family income above $200,000 with typical assets: **Tailored Financial Aid** 

*Financial aid will be available to many students from families with incomes above $200,000, depending on individual circumstances.*Harvard College’s financial aid staff work personally and individually with students and families to provide financial aid that matches each family’s specific financial situation. 

*These thresholds assume typical assets and typically do not include equity in the family home or retirement assets. They are based on an average U.S. cost of living and taxes paid. Students are expected to cover $3,500 in personal expenses per academic year, usually through work-study hours.*

To learn more, check out our [financial aid fact sheet](https://college.harvard.edu/guides/financial-aid-fact-sheet "Financial Aid Fact Sheet") or see the breakdown of the full cost of attendance.

[Calculate your cost](https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/net-price-calculator)

## Types of Aid

In addition to Harvard's scholarship funds, other types of aid include:

- Student employment
- Optional loans
- Outside awards

Your financial aid officer can help you find these and other types of aid.

[Learn about types of aid](https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/how-aid-works/types-aid)

## Students Share Financial Aid Stories

This preview video does not contain audio.

Watch "Students Share Their Financial Aid Stories"
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## Related Topics

[### How Aid Works

Harvard offers generous need-based financial aid for all students, regardless of nationality or citizenship.](https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/how-aid-works)

[### Types of Aid

Your financial aid package is made up of a combination of scholarship (grant) funds, student employment, and any potential outside awards.](https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/how-aid-works/types-aid)

[### Prospective Students

Find information on applying for financial aid as a first-year student. We're here to help.](https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/apply-financial-aid/prospective-students)