Harvard Business School Need-Based Fellowships
Harvard Business School · All India
| Scheme Name | Harvard Business School Need-Based Fellowships |
| Provided By | Harvard Business School |
| Eligibility Summary | MBA · No income limit |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Harvard Business School Need-Based Fellowships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
$2,000 (approx. ₹41.5 Lakh+)
Harvard Business School (HBS) Need-Based Fellowships are gifts that do not need to be repaid. For the 2026-2027 academic year, awards typically range from approximately $2,000 USD (₹166,000 INR) to $87,000 USD (₹7,221,000 INR) per year. Approximately 50% of MBA students receive need-based financial aid, with the average scholarship being around $46,000-$50,000 USD (₹3,818,000 INR - ₹4,150,000 INR) annually. For students with the greatest financial need (roughly 10% of the class), full tuition scholarships are available, covering the 2026-2027 tuition fees of $84,760 USD (₹7,035,080 INR). These fellowships contribute to the overall cost of attendance, which for a single student in 2026-2027 is estimated at $130,318 USD (₹10,816,394 INR) annually, encompassing tuition, health fees, insurance, housing, food, transportation, and other living expenses. Scholarship recipients are typically still responsible for living expenses not fully covered by the award. Disbursement is annual, applied directly against tuition and fees. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts is not applicable as this is an international university fellowship. (Conversion rate used: 1 USD = 83 INR, approximate).
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Demonstrated Financial Need:Financial aid is awarded based on demonstrated financial need, not merit. The HBS financial aid team determines need based on factors including gross income from the prior three years, assets, socioeconomic background, and undergraduate debt.
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Admission to Harvard Business School MBA Program: Applicants must first be admitted to the Harvard Business School MBA program.
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Nationality:The fellowships are open to both domestic (US citizens and permanent residents) and international students.
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Degree Level:Specifically for students pursuing the MBA degree at Harvard Business School.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | MBA |
| Course / Stream | MBA |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓MBA Financial Aid Application
- ✓Certification of Finances Form (for non-US Citizens and Permanent Residents)
- ✓Income verification documentation from the prior three years (e.g., federal tax returns, W2s, etc.)
- ✓Online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (for US Citizens and Permanent Residents)
- ✓Additional supporting documentation if requested by MBA Financial Aid
- ✓Complementary fellowship application that provides parent and family information (if applying for fellowships like the Forward Fellowship)
Selection Process
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HBS Need-Based Fellowships are awarded solely based on demonstrated financial need, not academic merit
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Applicants must first be admitted to the Harvard Business School MBA program
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The financial aid team at HBS determines financial need by evaluating factors such as gross income from the prior three years, assets, socioeconomic background, and undergraduate debt
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Students with higher earnings are generally expected to contribute a higher proportion towards their education
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International students, including those from India, are fully eligible for these fellowships on the same terms as domestic applicants.
Renewal Policy
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Students are required to submit a renewal application for their second year to reconfirm eligibility for need-based aid
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If a student's personal circumstances have not significantly changed (e.g., no marriage or new children), their second-year need-based HBS Scholarship will generally remain the same as their first-year award
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If a student defers or reapplies, their financial aid application resets each year.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Register
Create an HBS account and initiate your MBA application through the official HBS website.
- 2Apply for MBA Admission
Complete and submit the full MBA application, which includes your application form, resume, official transcript(s), essay, official standardized test scores (GMAT or GRE), two recommendations, acceptance of policies, and the application fee. Admission to the MBA program is a mandatory prerequisite for financial aid consideration.
- 3Apply for Financial Aid (After Admission)
Once you have been admitted to the HBS MBA Program, you will gain access to the MBA Financial Aid Application and detailed instructions. For non-US Citizens and Permanent Residents, you will need to submit the Certification of Finances Form. Additionally, you must provide income verification documentation from the prior three years, such as federal tax returns or W2s. HBS may request additional supporting documentation as needed.
- 4Status Tracking
HBS does not provide a specific online 'status tracking guide' for fellowships. For inquiries regarding your financial aid status, it is recommended to contact the Robert K. Kraft Family Financial Aid Office directly via phone or email.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Are these fellowships merit-based or need-based?
Harvard Business School Need-Based Fellowships are strictly need-based. While admission to HBS is determined by merit, financial aid awards are based solely on your demonstrated financial need.
Can international students from India apply for these fellowships?
Yes, international students, including those from India, are fully eligible to apply for Harvard Business School Need-Based Fellowships on the same terms and conditions as domestic applicants.
Do these fellowships cover the entire cost of the MBA program?
While some students with the greatest financial need (approximately 10%) can receive full tuition scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year, the fellowships generally do not cover the entire cost of attendance. The total cost includes tuition, health insurance, housing, food, transportation, and other living expenses. HBS typically expects a contribution from the student, with many combining fellowships with personal savings, loans, or other outside funding.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Harvard Business School website before final submission.