Answering your financial aid application questions

Financial Aid Q&A

Q: Should I expect the fellowship committee to have read my application for admission? Or should I answer the fellowship essays as if they haven’t read the rest of my application?

A: The people reviewing fellowship essays will have no access to application materials, so you should answer the essays as if the reader has not seen the rest of your application. 

Q: Does each essay need to be tailored to a specific fellowship, even if the essay prompts are the same?

A: You will want to tailor your essays as much as possible to the particular fellowship or scholarship so that the fellowship committee can evaluate your fit for that specific award. 

Q: If I am applying to two fellowships, is it okay to repeat some information about my background and qualifications?

A: Repeating some information in different essays is fine as long as you are specific and speak to the prompt on the application. Generally speaking, there are different committees for each fellowship.

Q: What makes for a strong fellowship essay?

A: In a strong fellowship essay, you will answer the prompt specifically, be open and honest, write in your authentic voice, and address how your background and goals align with that specific scholarship or fellowship.

Q: What if I don’t see a particular HKS fellowship on the application?

A: The only HKS scholarships explicitly listed on the financial aid application are those that require an essay. You will still be considered for all HKS scholarships by virtue of submitting a financial aid application, even if you don’t see the scholarship listed on the application. 

Q: If a fellowship essay prompt does not list a specific word count, what is the recommended length?

A: If the format is not specified in the description, essays should not exceed two pages in length.

Q: Can I make edits to the financial aid application after I submit it?

A: Once you save an essay to the financial aid application, you will not be able to make changes or swap essays. Changes to the financial aid application are not permitted after submission. You must complete and upload all essays for the fellowships for which you wish to be considered prior to submitting the application.

Q: What would be an example of a situation to explain in the special circumstances section?

A: The special circumstances section allows you to explain any events that have significantly impacted your income, such as a job loss, death in the family, medical illness or expenses, natural disasters, homelessness, etc.  

We recognize there are many financial difficulties students may face while attending graduate school, including substantial loan debt, lack of financial support from parents, and reduction or loss of income while attending school. While these are legitimate concerns, they are shared by the majority of students enrolled in graduate programs, and therefore, do not constitute special circumstances.

Q: How does need factor into financial aid awards?

A: Our scholarships are awarded based on merit first with a need component. We determine need using the information provided in the financial aid application, accounting for the fact that our students come from all over the world with different income standards.

Q: Is it possible to be selected for multiple fellowships? How would the team decide which award the applicant gets?

A: In this case, we would award you the larger award.

Q: Can scholarships be used for housing and meals? 

A: Most fellowships and scholarships can only be applied toward tuition and fees. A limited number of fellowships have stipends that can be used for living expenses.

Q: If I am admitted, can I apply for funding in my second year?

A: There will not be an opportunity to apply for additional funding later. You must apply for funding now, before learning about your admission decision.

Q: If I decide to defer graduate study, would I have to reapply for financial aid?

A: Yes, you would need to reapply for financial aid should you be granted a deferral. Note that deferrals are granted for a limited number of circumstances, including serious personal medical illness, emergency of an immediate family member, military obligations, or enrollment in a concurrent degree program at an approved partner school.