We encourage you to apply for financial assistance regardless of financial need. The majority of our fellowships and scholarships are primarily merit based. By applying for financial assistance, you will be considered for a variety of awards.

You must submit your master’s degree application before applying for financial assistance. The deadline to submit your application for financial aid is January 15, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. ET. To access the financial aid application, please login to the application portal and start a 2025-2026 Financial Aid Application. Note that you will only be permitted to access the financial aid application after submitting an application for admission.

Applicants who are admitted to the Kennedy School and who submitted a financial aid application will be notified of their admission and financial aid decisions in March.

Are you an HKS applicant?
Apply for financial assistance by Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. ET
Application for Financial Assistance

Financial Aid Application Timeline

  • November: Financial aid application available to applicants
  • December 3, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. ET: Admission application deadline
  • January 15, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. ET: Financial aid application deadline; FAFSA deadline (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible noncitizens)
  • March: Admission and financial aid decisions announced
  • April: Admission and financial aid response deadline

Applying for Financial Aid Checklist

  1. Research Harvard and external fellowship and scholarship opportunities.
  2. Submit your application for admission—this is required before you can access the HKS Application for Financial Assistance.
  3. Complete the HKS Application for Financial Assistance—after you have submitted your application for admission—by visiting this website and selecting the “Application for Financial Aid” tab.
  4. If you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible noncitizen, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
MPP alumnus Ala Qasem
Alumni Perspective

I am acutely appreciative of the opportunities provided by the Emirates Leadership Initiative Fellowship to build a strong support network of thoughtful, driven leaders I can rely on as I partake in the task of my country's reconstruction.

Ala Qasem MPP 2017