Student Loans

As a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible noncitizen, you may be eligible to borrow federal loans, as well as private loans, to help finance your education. 

Federal Student Loans 

To be eligible to borrow federal student loans, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate academic year. ​The HKS school code is E00215.

There are two types of federal loans available to graduate students—Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Graduate students are generally eligible to receive a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan up to $20,500 per academic year.

Graduate PLUS Loan

The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan program is being discontinued for new loan borrowers as of July 1, 2026. Harvard University Student Financial Services has created a website to summarize key changes to the federal loan program.

If you are a continuing HKS student who previously borrowed a federal student loan while enrolled at HKS, you may still be eligible to borrow a Graduate PLUS Loan up to the difference between your Cost of Attendance and all other aid you are receiving. This loan requires credit approval.

Visit our webpage on federal loans for comprehensive information about federal loan borrowing.

Private Student Loans  

Private student loans come from financial institutions such as banks or credit unions. The maximum you may borrow in student loans is the difference between your Cost of Attendance and all other aid you are receiving.   

Harvard University Student Financial Services has created a University-wide Preferred Lender List which includes the following private loan options for domestic students.

Preferred Lenders for Domestic Harvard Kennedy School Students

Harvard Federal Credit Union (HFCU)

Domestic students enrolled in a degree program at Harvard Kennedy School are eligible to borrow up to $65,000 per academic year through the Harvard Federal Credit Union.

College Ave

Domestic students enrolled in a degree program at Harvard Kennedy School are eligible to borrow up to their Cost of Attendance less any financial aid through College Ave without a cosigner.

See the Preferred Lender List for Graduate Students for more details about these options.

As an international student you are not eligible for U.S. federal student loans, though you do have the option to apply for private education loans.

Private Student Loans 

Private student loans come from financial institutions such as banks or credit unions. The maximum you may borrow in private student loans is the difference between your Cost of Attendance and all other aid you are receiving.   

Harvard University Student Financial Services has created a University-wide Preferred Lender List which includes the following options for international students at HKS.

Preferred Lenders for International Harvard Kennedy School Students

Harvard Federal Credit Union (HFCU)

International students enrolled in a degree program at Harvard Kennedy School are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 per academic year through the Harvard Federal Credit Union without a cosigner. International students with a U.S. cosigner may be eligible to borrow more. 

College Ave

International students may borrow up to $30,000 per academic year through College Ave.

See the Preferred Lender List for Graduate Students for more details about these options.

When considering private loans, pay careful attention to whether a U.S. cosigner is required, the interest rate (whether it is fixed or variable), the length of the repayment period, borrower benefits (such as interest rate reductions and services) and to the deferment options.

Having a U.S. citizen as a cosigner increases your options for student loans; however, there are multiple loans available to HKS international students without a cosigner. The Admissions & Financial Aid team can help guide you through those options.  

Government and Home Country Loans 

You are welcome to investigate all sources of funding within your home country. Eligibility requirements and loan terms will vary.