• Consumer Information
• Frequently Asked Questions (Domestic Students)
• Frequently Asked Questions (International Students)

Frequently Asked Questions (International Students)

What are the HKS tuition & fees?

Visit HKS Tuition and Expenses for complete information on the costs of attending HKS. You should expect that the cost of attendance will rise each year by approximately 4% - 6%.

Where can I research external sources of scholarship aid?

While in your home country it could be helpful to contact the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) post or the Educational Advising Center designated by the United States Embassy in your country. These centers have libraries with useful publications (for you to review at no charge) listing those institutions or organizations that offer financial aid to foreign students and often offer special lectures on funding possibilities.

If you already reside in the United States, foreign student offices and career planning and placement offices on college campuses can be valuable sources of current financial aid information. These offices often have catalogues and books on scholarships, fellowships, and grants that you can review.

In order to help you in your personalized search for external sources of funding for your studies, please investigate the External Resources section of the SFS website.

May I apply for a tuition waiver?

No. Tuition waivers are not available at HKS.

May I apply for a loan as an international student?

For information regarding loans for international students, please refer to the Loans for International Students section of the Student Financial Services website.

How do I view my financial aid award?

Log into MYFAID and click on awards tab.

I’ve been awarded a stipend, when should I expect to receive a check?

Typically, stipends are disbursed half in the Summer/Fall and half in the Spring.

How do I view the electronic billing statement (e-bill) for my student account?

The Harvard University Student Receivables Office sends monthly e-bill notifications directly to your HKS e-mail account. Please note that the first e-bill will be issued in early July prior to enrollment. Please visit the Harvard University Term Bill Website access your e-bill.

I have secured funding from an outside sponsor, how should I notify HKS?

Please complete and submit the Sponsor Verification Form found on the Student Financial Services website under the Sponsored Student section.

Do I need to purchase health insurance through Harvard University?

Yes. Massachusetts requires every enrolled student to have health insurance. Also, medical care is very costly in the US; without insurance you could have very large medical bills.

The University Health Services (UHS) coverage (emergency on-campus) is mandatory for all full-time registered students. There is a separate charge for Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage (Hospitalization). You may request a waiver of Blue Cross/Blue Shield health coverage through the University Health Services.

Please refer to UHS website for further details.

Is there any assistance available for repayment of my loans?

HKS is committed to excellence in government; we recognize that graduates are faced with significant amounts of educational debt and the reality of low paying public sector jobs. The HKS Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) currently enables graduates to enter these positions by funding educational loan repayment. For further information, please review the LRAP section of the Student Financial Services website.

May I work during my studies at HKS?

It is highly recommended that students do not work in the first semester of study as the course schedule is rigorous and the degree program should be the first priority. After having adjusted to the schedule, a student could consider working as a course assistant or the like. Incoming students are unable/should not apply for employment before arrival in the United States for a number of reasons:

• A student on an F-1 visa is eligible for employment authorization from the US government only after 9 months of residence in the US.
• Employment authorization from the US government is an involved and lengthy process.
• Potential earnings from employment will not be considered for incoming student financial certification.

Working part-time is certainly a possible source of income for the second year of study (if applicable to you) as long as it does not interfere with your studies.

I have only secured funding for my first year will there be options for funding in my second year?

It is not wise to have little means of funding for your second year for a number of reasons. First, you most likely won't be able to depend upon HKS to provide increased scholarship or fellowship funding support for your second year. Also, your time will be occupied with your studies during your first year and the added stress of trying to find funding for your second year will not be helpful. In addition, your residence in the United States during your first year will exclude you from consideration for the majority of scholarships as organizations prefer to fund students applying directly from their country of citizenship. Lastly, you could be faced with a choice to suspend your studies for lack of funding as a worst case scenario. You should expect that the cost of attendance will rise each year by approximately 4% - 6%.

I have been admitted to the HKS-HBS Joint Program. How will my financial aid be processed?

Enrolled students spend their first year at HKS and are charged HKS tuition and fees. Students would apply for financial aid through the HKS financial aid process. Joint program admits can contact the HBS Financial Aid Office to get an estimate of the financial aid they may receive in future years.

Students spend their second year enrolled at HBS and are charged HBS tuition and fees. You would apply for financial aid through HBS.

Students spend their third year at both schools and should file financial aid applications at both schools.

Is my scholarship/fellowship taxable?

Please refer to IRS Publication 970.