About PhD Program,
We’re delighted that you are interested in pursuing academic studies at the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Whether you intend to study toward a master’s or PhD degree, join a visiting students program, or participate in one of our outreach programs, we are looking forward to reviewing your application. For information about tuition and fees, see the Cost of Attendance section.
Harvard does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, political beliefs, veteran status, disability or any other protected classification, and we actively seek applicants from historically underrepresented communities. We hope you’ll consider applying.
Immigration status does not factor into decisions about admissions and financial aid. For more information, see Undocumented at Harvard.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Applications become available in September and are submitted through the Applicant Portal. Admission is for the fall term only. Please note all supporting materials and required components must be submitted electronically as part of the application. Harvard Griffin GSAS does not accept any mailed materials.
Deadlines vary by graduate program and are noted on graduate program pages. All materials must be submitted by the deadline. The School may request additional academic documents as needed.
Applications are reviewed by the admissions committee based on the program you applied to.
Please note all supporting materials and required components become the property of Harvard Griffin GSAS. No materials will be returned to the applicant or forwarded to other schools or agencies.
PhD Funding Coverage,
The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) offers incoming PhD students full financial support—including tuition, health insurance fees, and basic living expenses—for a minimum of five years (typically the first four years of study and the dissertation completion year). This funding package includes a combination of tuition grants, stipends, traineeships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships, and other academic appointments.
A typical funding package includes:
- grants toward tuition and the Harvard University Student Health Programpaid in full for years G1 through G4 and the dissertation completion year
- a combination of stipend, teaching fellowships, and/or research assistantships during years G1 through G4
- summer research support from Harvard Griffin GSAS or faculty grants following the first four academic years
- subsidy payments to defray dental insurance and transportation costs.
While the specifics of funding packages vary by program, PhD students in the sciences typically receive full funding until they complete their programs of study. PhD Programs in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Interfaculty Programs may offer additional tuition and health fee support based on the anticipated time to degree of the program, but stipend/living expense funding is limited to the five full years as outlined above. Students should review their financial aid package carefully and consult with their officer if they have questions or need clarification about their offer of support.
Each student is provided a Notice of Financial Support at the time of admission and is assigned a financial aid officer who administers this funding and is available to assist with financial concerns.
Students are required to formally accept their financial aid offers via the Admissions system and acknowledge that they have read and understood the aid package being offered and the policies that govern their support. When applicable, students are also directed to consult their academic programs if program-specific conditions apply.
The initial Notice of Financial Support assumes continuous enrollment as a full-time resident student; students not enrolled are not eligible for Harvard Griffin GSAS financial aid programs.
Each spring, continuing students supported by Harvard Griffin GSAS-administered funding sources are required to activate their funding for the upcoming academic year using the Student Aid Portal, an online financial aid management system. Continued eligibility for financial aid is contingent upon an annual report by the faculty that the student is making satisfactory progress toward the degree.
Students may find that their actual enrollment patterns necessitate adjustments to the timing of their funding. Students wishing to defer Harvard Griffin GSAS-administered funding must indicate this in the Student Aid Portal during the annual financial aid acceptance process mentioned above. The options for deferring financial support vary by type of aid and are outlined within the applicable sections of the main financial aid website.
Application Requirement,
- application and application fee
- transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
- statement of purpose
- personal statement, for select programs
- demonstration of English proficiency
- writing samples, for select programs
- GRE, for select programs.
Application Deadline,
Jan 03, 2025
Application Fee,
The application fee is $105 payable by credit card.
