Harvard's annual cost of attendance?

I'm really interested in Harvard as one of my top colleges, but I'm a bit stressed about the cost. Does anyone have a good understanding of how much it costs to attend Harvard per year, including tuition, fees, housing, and meal plans? How do their financial aid packages work? Thanks in advance!

Harvard's estimated annual cost of attendance for the 2024-2025 academic year is as follows:

- Tuition: $56,550

- Fees: $5,126

- Room (dorm): $12,922

- Board (meal plan): $8,268

This brings the total estimate for the cost of attendance to approximately $82,866 per year. However, keep in mind that these numbers are subject to change, and may vary slightly depending on personal expenses, books and supplies, and travel costs.

Harvard offers need-based financial aid packages that are quite generous. Families with an annual income of $65,000 or less are not expected to contribute to their student's Harvard education, and 100% of the demonstrated need is met through a combination of grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. As income levels rise, the expected parental contribution also increases, but on a sliding scale. About 55% of Harvard undergraduate students receive need-based financial aid, with an average grant amount of $53,000. Furthermore, families with incomes up to $150,000 are typically asked to contribute no more than 10% of their income towards college costs.

To get an idea of the financial aid you might receive, you can use Harvard's Net Price Calculator to estimate the amount of aid you could be eligible for based on your individual financial circumstances.

Remember, you should apply for financial aid even if you think your family may not qualify, as many factors are taken into account when determining eligibility. Harvard is also known for being need-blind during the admissions process, meaning that your financial situation does not impact your chances of admission.