Types of Funding for Master’s Students

Scholarships/Fellowships

  • Institutional

    Dean's Scholarship for HMS Master's Students

    At HMS, we strive to make master’s education accessible to all qualified students. The Dean’s Scholarship for HMS Master’s Students has been established to provide funding to students who have demonstrated financial need and have exhibited academic excellence, persistence, resilience, and a commitment to advancing the position of the underserved and the underrepresented in their field of interest.  This award provides eligible students with a scholarship equivalent to 15% of the full time tuition rate for any HMS Master’s Degree Programs (tuition only). HMS will award the Dean’s Scholarship for up to 35 students across the HMS Master’s programs. This scholarship is open to both incoming domestic and international students.

    Application Process

    Incoming students planning to enroll in Fall 2024 are eligible to apply for this scholarship once they are admitted to the program. The application process includes:

    • A 2-page personal statement which should include the following elements:
      • Describe your commitment to serving underserved and underrepresented people in your field of interest. Please include specific examples that demonstrate your commitment to this work.
      • Detail specific experiences that demonstrate your personal or professional resilience and persistence.
      • How do you imagine you will use your HMS Master's degree to advance the interests of underserved communities in your field of interest?
      • How will this scholarship enable you to do this work?
    • CV with your education and research training record, research experience, and any citations included.
    • One letter of recommendation which should focus on your commitment to serving underserved and underrepresented people in your field of interest. 

    *The Dean's Scholarship Application has closed for the 2024-25 academic year.

    Selection Process

    Potential recipients are nominated for this award by the Dean’s Scholarship Committee and are notified of their nomination by early June. The Dean’s Scholarship Awards are contingent upon demonstrated financial need. To determine eligibility for this scholarship, nominees must apply for financial aid. Nominees will receive financial aid application instructions specific to this scholarship after they have been notified of their nomination.

    *Please Note:

    1. Harvard Medical School does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry or any other protected classification. 
    2. Continuation of this program is contingent upon the availability of funds.
    3. This award is for incoming HMS Master's students only. HMS MD-Master's joint degree students, please refer to the MD Financial Aid site for funding opportunities.
    4. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

    Master’s Program Tuition Discount for Faculty and Staff at HMS and Affiliated Institutions

    Full-time, benefits eligible faculty and staff at HMS and the affiliated institutions/hospitals are eligible for a scholarship equivalent to 10% of the full time tuition rate for any of the HMS Master’s Degree Programs (tuition only). Students must be a full-time benefits eligible employee at the time of admission to qualify for this scholarship. Please notify the program if you think you are eligible for this scholarship.

    HMS Affiliates
    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBoston Children's HospitalBrigham and Women's HospitalBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard
    Cambridge Health AllianceDana-Farber Cancer InstituteHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute
    Hebrew SeniorLifeHSDM Affiliate: The Forsyth InstituteJoslin Diabetes CenterJudge Baker Children's Center
    Massachusetts Eye and EarMassachusetts General HospitalMcLean HospitalMount Auburn Hospital
    Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and HarvardSpaulding Rehabilitation HospitalVeterans Affairs Boston Healthcare SystemWyss Institute at Harvard

    Harvard University's Committee on General Scholarships

    The Committee on General Scholarships (CGS) awards a range of financial assistance to international Harvard students. CGS funding is very competitive—admitted applicants and current students from across Harvard are eligible. CGS international fellowships are country specific. They are not awarded through HMS and require a separate application.   Application details, contact information, and a full list of fellowship and restricted scholarship opportunities are available on the CGS website. Below is a list of fellowship/scholarship opportunities available to HMS graduate students. Please contact CGS for any questions regarding the fellowship/scholarships below.

    • Argentina - Amalia Lacroze De Fortabat Fellowship Fund
    • Australia - Robert Gordon Menzies Scholarship                                       
    • Brazil - Jorge Paulo Lemann Fellowships
    • Colombia - Scholarships for Colombian Students
    • France - Arthur Sachs Scholarship, Jean Gaillard Fellowship Fund
    • Hong Kong - Hong Kong Jockey Club Graduate Scholarships
    • Mexico - Fundacion Mexico en Harvard Scholarships
    • Spain - Real Colegio Complutense Scholarships

  • External

    External Scholarship Resources

    External scholarships are a great way to help students subsidize their Harvard Medical School education because they can help minimize educational loan debt. Our external funding resource guides provide information on these opportunities offered by outside organizations and agencies.

     

    External Funding Resources for Domestic Students

    The HMS External Scholarship Guide for Domestic Students provides a list of several scholarship opportunities geared toward U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

    Scholarship Search Engines contain useful information and are also a great resource. Below are some examples of frequently used online search engines and websites.

     

    External Funding Resources for International Students

    The HMS External Scholarship Guide for International Students provides a list of several scholarship opportunities geared toward non-U.S. citizens.

    Scholarship Search Engines contain useful information and are also a great resource. Below are some examples of frequently used online search engines and websites for international students.

     

    Tips on Applying

    Who are you? When looking for external scholarships, you should look for the award funds that best describe you and your interests.

    • Think individually, academically, locally, and globally.
    • Consider your identity from multiple perspectives - female, veteran, religious affiliation, LGBTQ, fraternity, sorority, service memberships, athlete, differently abled, or first generation college student.
    • Think geographically - where do I have or had residency?
    • Consider your research and academic interests.

    How much time do you have? You should decide how much time to put into your scholarship search because there is no guarantee that it will yield results.

    Get organized. Create an Excel template. Know when scholarships are due.

    Get connected.

    • Google search
    • Financial aid websites at other schools
    • Contact your academic advisor or grant managers in your department.
    • Local library
    • Let as many people know that you are looking as you can. Someone may be aware of an opportunity that is perfect for you.

    Every little bit counts. Larger scholarships are more competitive. Consider applying for smaller scholarship awards. They tend to be less competitive and are also less likely to use strict cutoffs for grades and test scores.

    Have your application ready to go.

    • Always have your resume and transcripts ready.
    • Spell check is never enough.
    • Have your personal statement ready.
    • Make it easy for others to help you. When you ask for letters of recommendation, always provide a resume, your most recent transcript, and a brief statement of your career goals.

    Gratitude. Be certain to send a thank-you note or email to the scholarship committee, as well as to your recommenders for taking the time to write a letter on your behalf.

Loans

  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

    Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

    Students in the Master’s programs are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 annually in the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program. The student’s total aid (Direct Unsubsidized loans plus all other aid) can never exceed the standard student budget. The maximum aggregate Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan limit for Master’s students is $138,500.

    Origination Fees
    The origination fee for loans disbursed prior to October 1, 2023 is 1.057%. This fee is automatically deducted from the loan prior to disbursement.

    Interest Rates 
    The interest rate is set annually each academic year . The interest rate is set annually each academic year . The 2024-25 interest rate is 8.08%. For prior year rates, please visit Federal Student Aid.

    The interest on a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan accrues from the day the loan is disbursed and is always the responsibility of the borrower. Students can choose to let this in-school interest accrue or pay it quarterly. In order to minimize the cost of borrowing, students are encouraged to pay the quarterly interest if at all possible. Unpaid accrued interest will be capitalized (i.e. added to the outstanding principal balance) at the end of the grace period, prior to the onset of repayment.

    Master Promissory Notes for Federal Direct Loans will be made available for signing by August/September of the first year that a student borrows via HMS. Ordinarily, the loan funds will be credited directly to the borrower’s Harvard term bill account within a few days after loan signing; subsequent disbursements will automatically be credited at the start of each term.

    Grace Period
    All Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans carry a six-month grace period that begins once the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half time at a qualified institution of higher education. During this grace period, interest accrues but no loan payments are required.

    Grace periods are loan-specific; thus each Direct Loan borrowed has only one grace period. However, if the borrower returns to school at least half time before the grace period expires, a full grace period will be available the next time enrollment ends. If the entire grace period is used before studies resume, no further grace period will be available and the loan will enter repayment immediately after half-time enrollment ends.

    Deferment
    Under certain conditions, Direct loans may be eligible for deferment benefits. During periods of deferment, repayment of principal is not required, but interest continues to accrue on the loans. All Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are eligible for deferment if the borrower meets one of the following conditions:

    • A student enrolled at least half time at an institution of higher education;
    • Unemployed;
    • Experiencing financial hardship as defined by the U.S. Department of Education (three-year maximum);
    • A graduate fellow for at least six months under an approved fellowship program;
    • Enrolled in an approved rehabilitation training program

    Forbearance
    During periods of forbearance, repayment of principal is not required, but interest continues to accrue on the loans. All Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are eligible for forbearance during the entire internship/residency period. Forbearance must be requested on an annual basis from the Direct Loan Servicer.

  • Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

    Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

    The Graduate PLUS loan is a Federal Direct Loan Program that is offered to graduate students who have reached the annual or lifetime maximum Direct Unsubsidized and Subsidized loan limits. This loan program serves the function of a private loan with the benefits of a federal loan program, such as deferment, forbearance, consolidation, and death and disability cancellation. The Direct Graduate PLUS loan program offers a six-month post-enrollment deferment period that begins once the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time. Borrowers must pass a credit check, and as with other federal loan programs, will need to complete a master promissory note to receive the loan funds.

    Origination Fees 
    The origination fee for loans disbursed prior to October 1, 2023 is 4.228%. This fee is automatically deducted from the loan prior to disbursement.

    Interest Rates
    The interest rate is set annually each academic year. The 2024-25 interest rate is 9.08%. For prior year rates, please visit Federal Student Aid.

    Post-Enrollment Deferment Period
    Effective July 1, 2008, Graduate PLUS loans are eligible to receive a six-month post-enrollment deferment period that begins once the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.

    Deferment/Forbearance
    Same as the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

    Debt Limits
    Annual maximum equal to student budget less other aid received. No cumulative debt limit.

  • Private Loans

    Harvard University Private Loans for Graduate and Professional Students

    Private loans are available to 1) US citizens and eligible non-citizens with a good credit history, and 2) international students may have options with or without a US co-signer.

    Harvard University seeks proposals from lenders offering non-federal education loans through an open Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The RFP was designed so that Harvard could provide information to its graduate and professional students on private loan products that have competitive rates and other borrower benefits. Please review the Harvard University private loans webpage.

    Note: The Harvard Federal Credit Union (Harvard FCU) Student Loan is available without a U.S. cosigner. This loan program is available to HMS domestic, international and DACA-eligible Master's students. Qualifying students interested in this loan program may borrow a Harvard FCU student loan up to the amount $25,000 less other aid offered, not to exceed the total cost of attendance budget.

VA and Military Benefits