To help you plan, we have developed an itemized budget that includes typical living expenses along with the cost of tuition and fees. Keep in mind that the cost of attendance is a general budget and your personal expenses may be higher or lower, but it is a great place to start when developing your own budget.
Identifying Your Expenses and Resources
The first step in creating a strategy for funding your education is to create a personal budget that outlines your expenses and any resources available to you. When thinking about your budget, consider expenses specific to you that may not appear in the cost of attendance estimates provided by Harvard Griffin GSAS. For example, you may need to add in loan payments, credit card payments, or family expenses. If you have identified a gap between your expenses and resources, you will want to explore the options in the Sources of Funding section below for ideas on how to fill that gap.
International students should also factor in the financial certification required for seeking a visa. See Other Costs in the Cost of Attendance section.
Consumer Debt
Consumer debt frequently carries a high-interest rate and is not an allowable expense when determining eligibility for most sources of student financial assistance. Incoming students are encouraged to pay down their consumer debt as much as possible prior to starting graduate school.
Health Insurance
Harvard Griffin GSAS students studying on campus are automatically enrolled in the Harvard Student Health Insurance Program, which has two components: the Student Health Fee and the Student Health Insurance Plan. These two fees are included in the standard cost of attendance budget.
US and Massachusetts law requires that all students have health insurance, and the student insurance program provided by Harvard meets this requirement. Students who have comparable health coverage from another source may elect to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan component. You can read more about the Student Health Insurance Program, including a checklist of items to consider if you are exploring alternate coverage.
Students enrolled in the Student Health Fee and Student Health Insurance Plan are eligible to obtain health coverage for their dependents at additional cost. Important information about the various plans and rates can be found on the dependent section of the Harvard University Student Health Program website.
Housing
Whether you are interested in living in one of the four Harvard Griffin GSAS residence halls, looking for an on- or off-campus apartment, or hoping to find a roommate, the Office of Residential Life can direct you to resources to help with your search.
Rent costs can vary based on many factors, including location, size, living alone versus having roommates, whether utilities are included, etc. It will be helpful for you to research and compare the available options to determine the best fit for you.