Scholarships for Indian Students at Harvard University 2025

You’re here because studying at Harvard is your goal, and funding it seems like a puzzle. This blog on scholarships for Indian Students at Harvard University 2025 gives you everything in one place. You’ll find the top scholarships, what they cover, who can apply, and the exact steps to make your application stand out. By the end, you’ll know which scholarships match your profile, how to apply, and what to expect, so you can focus on your dream education without missing a single detail.

Scholarships For Indian Students at Harvard University: Quick Highlights

Harvard funds most awards through need-based aid. Some schools add named fellowships. A few external Indian awards can also help. Use this table to see what to track and when.

Scholarship / Aid	Deadline (2025)	Apply Link
Harvard College Need-Based Financial Aid	Nov 1 (REA) / Feb 1 (RD)	Official Link
HBS MBA Need-Based Fellowships	After admission (no pre-admission deadline)	Official Link
Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship (HBS)	No separate application; considered during HBS aid review	Official Link
Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowship (HBS)	No separate application because it is considered with HBS aid	Official Link
HGSE Scholarships & Fellowships	Feb 14, 2025	Official Link
Harvard Griffin GSAS (PhD) Funding	Varies by department	Official Link
Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship (external)	May 31, 2025	Official Link

Harvard University Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025

Harvard offers several key scholarships and financial aid options for Indian students, from named fellowships at Harvard Business School to need-based support across Harvard College, Graduate School of Education, and doctoral programs. Here are the top five awards.

1. Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship

The Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship is awarded through Harvard Business School’s financial aid process. It supports MBA students focusing on nonprofit or public-interest work and is automatically considered after admission.

Benefit	Information
Financial Coverage	Typically partial to full tuition coverage (USD)
Eligibility	HBS MBA students with nonprofit or public-sector career interests
Deadline	No separate deadline. It is considered automatically after admission.
How to Apply	No separate form because it is considered through the HBS financial aid application process

2. Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship

The Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship is an external, merit-based award for HBS students, aimed at supporting future social entrepreneurs. Applicants apply separately via the Boustany Foundation.

Benefit	Information
Financial Coverage	Includes full tuition or generous partial support
Eligibility	Indian (and other) MBA candidates demonstrating entrepreneurial potential
Deadline	May 31, 2025
How to Apply	Separate application via Boustany Foundation website

3. Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowship

This fellowship supports HBS MBA students with a strong interest in life sciences. It is awarded during the usual HBS aid review and does not require a separate application.

Benefit / Detail	Information
Financial Coverage	Up to USD 20,000 for first year and additional support may vary
Eligibility	MBA students with a focus on life sciences or biotech
Deadline	No separate deadline. It is considered automatically after admission.
How to Apply	No separate form because it is considered through the HBS financial aid application process

4. Need-Based Fellowships (Harvard College and Across Schools)

Harvard awards substantial need-based financial aid to all admitted students, including Indian applicants, across undergraduate and graduate programs. Aid is determined solely based on financial need and ability to pay.

Benefit	Information
Financial Coverage	Can cover full tuition, room, board, and fees
Eligibility	Admitted students demonstrating financial need
Deadline	Undergraduate: FA forms due Nov 1 (REA) or Feb 1 (RD); Graduate deadlines vary by school
How to Apply	Via each school’s financial aid portal

5. HGSE Financial Aid (Graduate School of Education)

Harvard Graduate School of Education offers both need- and merit-based awards for eligible master’s and doctoral candidates. Applicants must complete the HGSE financial aid application by the published deadline.

Benefit / Detail	Information
Financial Coverage	Varies. May include full or partial tuition support
Eligibility	Admission to HGSE graduate programs; need- or merit-based evaluation
Deadline	February 14, 2025, 12:00 PM Eastern Time
How to Apply	Through the HGSE Student Financial Services portal after admission

Also Read: How To Study in Ireland for Free?

Eligibility Criteria for Harvard University Scholarships for Indian Students

When you look at scholarships, the first thing to check is who can actually apply. Each Harvard award has different rules based on study program, financial need, or career goals. 

Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship (HBS MBA)

This fellowship is for students who want to make an impact in the nonprofit or public sector. If you’ve already shown leadership in this area, this is for you.

Requirement	Detail
Leadership Experience	Must have held full-time leadership roles in the nonprofit/public sector before enrolling
Commitment	Must show a clear goal of working in public or nonprofit areas
Academic Eligibility	Must be admitted to the HBS MBA first
Extra Steps	No separate application; considered as part of the financial aid package

Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship

This scholarship covers most of your tuition and even offers an internship. But it’s competitive and given to only one person every two years.

Requirement	Detail
Admission	Must receive an offer to Harvard MBA first
Academic Merit	Must have an excellent academic background, leadership potential
Nationality	Open to all, but preference goes to people of Lebanese descent
Application	Separate application after admission; includes CV, GMAT, admission letter, and interview
Extra Program	Two-month unpaid internship in Monaco, travel and lodging covered

Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowship (HBS MBA)

If you are interested in life sciences or biotech and want to use your MBA in that space, this award can help support your studies.

Requirement	Detail
Area of Focus	Must be working in or planning to work in life sciences or biotech
Admission	Must have been admitted to the HBS MBA
Application	Automatically considered as part of the financial aid review

Need-Based Fellowships (Harvard College & Graduate Schools)

Harvard is known for its strong need-based aid. In 2025, it expanded support so that many students can study without worrying about tuition or housing costs.

Requirement	Detail
Admission	Must be admitted to Harvard College, HBS, HGSE, or GSAS program
Financial Need	Must complete school’s aid forms (CSS Profile, etc.)
Application Deadline	Undergraduate: Nov 1 (REA) or Feb 1 (RD); Graduate: varies by school
Coverage	Includes tuition, fees, room, and board depending on need

HGSE Financial Aid (Harvard Graduate School of Education)

The education school offers its own aid, mostly based on need. It won’t cover everything, but it makes study more affordable.

Requirement	Detail
Admission	Must be admitted to the HGSE graduate program
Aid Application	Must submit HGSE Financial Aid application (January 2025)
Need or Merit	Mostly need-based; some awards may require nomination
Coverage	Partial aid; students must show funds for visa and living costs

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Tips for a Successful Scholarship at Harvard University?

Applying for Harvard scholarships is not complicated, but you need to follow the process carefully. Most scholarships require you to first secure admission and then apply for aid. Let;s take a look at this guide for 2025.

Step 1: Apply to Harvard

Submit your application to the program (Harvard College, HBS, HGSE, GSAS, etc.). Most scholarships are only available once you receive an admission offer.

Step 2: Check Scholarship Type

• Need-Based Aid: Submit the CSS Profile and IDOC (tax forms) for financial need evaluation.
  
• Specific Fellowships (like Boustany, Goldsmith, Kaplan): Submit additional documents such as CV, GMAT score, and admission letter.

Step 3: Submit Scholarship Application

Some scholarships require a separate application (like Boustany), while others (like Need-Based Aid) are automatic. Make sure you know which category you fall into.

Step 4: Prepare Documents

• Academic records
  
• Admission offer letter
  
• Financial documents (income proof, tax returns, etc.)
  
• Statement of purpose (if required)
  
• CV/resume with leadership or work experience

Step 5: Meet Deadlines

Deadlines vary:

• Harvard College Aid: Nov 1 (Early Action) or Jan 1 (Regular Decision)
  
• HBS Fellowships: Same as MBA application rounds
  
• HGSE Aid: January 2025
  
• Boustany MBA: May 2025

Step 6: Wait for Results

Scholarship decisions usually arrive after admission confirmation. For need-based aid, you get the package with your offer. For fellowships, results are shared separately.

Benefits of Harvard Scholarships for Indian Students

For Indian students, these scholarships provide both financial relief and academic recognition. Here is the list of key benefits for Indian students. 

• Tuition support: The scholarships cover either full or partial tuition fees, depending on the program.
  
• Living allowance: Students receive financial help for housing, meals, and daily living needs.
  
• Travel support: Certain scholarships, such as the Boustany MBA Scholarship, also cover travel and internship costs.
  
• Research and internship funding: Fellowships provide extra funds for academic projects and professional training.
  
• Merit recognition: Awards like the Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship highlight leadership and academic achievements.
  
• Need-based aid: Financial assistance ensures that students from middle or low-income families can study without financial stress.

External Scholarships for Indian Students to Study at Harvard

Apart from Harvard’s own scholarships, Indian students can also apply for external funding support. These scholarships are offered by Indian foundations and organizations, helping students cover tuition, living expenses, and other costs while studying at Harvard.

K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies Abroad

This scholarship is awarded to outstanding Indian students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies at top global universities, including Harvard.

Benefits

• The scholarship provides financial assistance of up to INR 10 lakh for tuition and living expenses.
  
• The award supports students pursuing professional and academic master’s level programs.
  
• The scholarship offers recognition to academically excellent and socially committed students.

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships

The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation supports talented Indian students to study full-time courses at top universities like Harvard.

Benefits

• The scholarship provides funding of up to USD 100,000 for tuition fees and living costs.
  
• The award helps students cover travel expenses and health insurance charges.
  
• The scholarship supports fields such as the humanities, social sciences, fine arts, and certain professional courses.

Tata Scholarship for Indian Students

The Tata Education and Development Trust collaborates with Harvard and other Ivy League universities to help Indian students study without financial burden.

Benefits

• The scholarship covers full tuition fees for eligible undergraduate programs.
  
• The award provides living support, including housing, food, and personal expenses.
  
• The scholarship ensures long-term support until graduation if students maintain good academic standing.

How to Get Into Harvard from India with a Scholarship?

Harvard looks for students with strong academics, leadership, and clear goals. Scholarships are usually either need-based or merit-based, so you must show both excellence and need.

1. Strong Academics: A student must score high in school exams and maintain an excellent GPA. For postgraduate programs, a strong undergraduate record is also required.
   
2. Standardized Tests: A student must achieve competitive scores in exams like SAT/ACT (for undergraduates) or GRE/GMAT (for postgraduates).
   
3. English Language Proficiency: A student must clear TOEFL or IELTS with high scores to meet Harvard’s requirements.
   
4. Extracurriculars and Leadership: A student must show leadership through projects, social work, or achievements beyond academics.
   
5. Application to Harvard: A student must apply through Harvard’s official portal with essays, recommendations, transcripts, and test scores.
   
6. Scholarship Application: A student must apply for Harvard’s need-based aid or specific fellowships, along with external scholarships such as Tata, Inlaks, or K.C. Mahindra.
   
7. Financial Documents: A student must submit income and financial proof for need-based scholarships.
   
8. Interviews: A student may be called for an interview to assess goals, motivation, and fit for Harvard.
   
9. Final Decision: If admitted, Harvard will share the scholarship award letter with details of funding support.

Important Deadlines for Harvard Scholarships 2025

Meeting deadlines is critical for scholarship success at Harvard. Financial aid applications usually align with admissions rounds, and some graduate schools have fixed dates. Here are the key deadlines Indian students must know.

Scholarship or Aid	Deadline (2025)
Harvard College Need-Based Aid	REA: CSS Profile & IDOC by November 1 RD: CSS Profile & IDOC by February 1
HBS & Harvard Graduate Schools	Round 1: September 3, 2025. Round 2: January 5, 2026. Masters Programs (S.M., M.E., AB-SM): December 1, 2025. PhD Programs: December 15, 2025.
HGSE Financial Aid	January applicants: February 14, 2025 S ummer pathway: July 25, 2025
MBA Named Fellowships (Goldsmith, Kaplan)	Post-admission same as HBS aid process
HGSE External/Restricted Scholarships	Follow HGSE application deadline (Feb 14 for January and July 25 for Summer)

Why Study at Harvard University?

The university offers unmatched opportunities for learning, research, and career growth. Here are some reasons why many students, including those from India, choose Harvard.

• This university offers world-class education through its globally ranked programs across fields like business, law, medicine, and education.
  
• It provides strong financial aid, including need-based and merit-based scholarships, making it accessible to talented students from different economic backgrounds.
  
• Its faculty includes Nobel laureates, world leaders, and top researchers who guide students with deep expertise.
  
• Harvard’s global alumni network helps students access career opportunities in every field and country.
  
• The campus provides advanced libraries, laboratories, and resources for both academic and extracurricular development.
  
• Harvard’s reputation ensures strong recognition of its degrees worldwide, opening doors to careers and further study.

Also Read: Harvard University Scholarships for Indian Students

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That was everything you needed to know about how to get into Harvard from India with a scholarship. For more such detailed guides on scholarships and study opportunities abroad, visit the Scholarships Page on Leverage Edu and stay updated with reliable information.