<p>I'm an admitted student to Harvard Class of 2012. My parents' combined income is <$60,000 and I will be paying nothing to attend Harvard for the '08-'09 school year. Based on the my.harvard.edu website, this aid covers everything from tuition, to room and board, to books and tuition, and even health insurance. Somehow I'm getting the feeling that I'll be spending a lot out of my own pocket (and my parents) despite this generous offer. So with experience from past students and anyone familiar with this, how much will I realistically be expecting to spend for one year at Harvard?</p>
<p>I wanna know too... Is it a great, no cost deal like they advertise it too be, or is it like a timeshare vacation to Las Vegas? </p>
<p>My family makes under 50,000 and if it costs too much to attend, I'm not even going to bother applying. Can anybody tell us from experience?</p>
<p>darciejune - Harvard's definitely not lying to you! And I think there are some things that they cover that you didn't include, like concert tickets, a no-interest loan for a computer, and a clothing allowance.</p>
<p>But I'm sure you'll feel pressure at some point to spend money beyond that. I think it mostly comes down to who you're friends with and how good you are at saying "no" and being thrifty. You'll probably get invited to go somewhere extravagant, or semi-extravagant for intersession... and there will definitely be a ton of birthday dinners at sit-down restaurants. And your roommates may want you to chip in for a futon as well.</p>
<p>There's always a cheaper way to do things - hang out at Harvard over breaks (or take a cheap bus to NYC and stay on someone's floor), avoid expensive meals, get furniture second-hand from the Habitat for Humanity sale. But it can definitely be frustrating at times to be around people who have much larger disposable incomes than you do.</p>
<p>Gryffon - Please, please, please apply! The financial aid policy is legit... everything related to academics (and a bit more, as you can see above) is FREE, with no loans. That doesn't mean Harvard writes you a blank check, but as far as I know, the check they write you is bigger than one you can get anywhere else, state schools included!</p>
<p>yeah, in my housing application, I said that I would like to room with people from the same socio-economic background as me. So hopefully, I'll have friends who won't be wasting money on meaningless things. Yes, Harvard resources are endless and so take advantage of everything. They even have free tutoring for you (price is like 11 dollars per hour; regular people pay like 4 dollars and the other 7 is taken care of by the university. However, if you're on aid, you can get that 4 bucks back on your term bill at the end of the semester)</p>
<p>Also, I should add, it's incredibly easy to find work study jobs that pay ~$10/hr, and if you ask around, you may find a job that lets you do your homework while you "work" (libraries = a good place to look).</p>
<p>Typically, a Harvard financial aid package includes a $4000 / year expectation from student earnings - $1250 for the fall and spring semesters and $1500 from the summer. I don't know whether the $60,000 principle removes that expectation or not. But if you have $4000 in outside scholarships, they can take the place of that expectation. The next $2500 in outside scholarships can also go to reimburse you (on a one-time basis, freshman year only) for a computer and software.</p>
<p>Thanks for your replies! This has been of much help, my last concern is:</p>
<p>Does the amount of money they allocate for each expense (ie. $2000 for books) accurately reflect how much these things will really cost? I understand that I will have to pitch in some personal expense for movie tickets, etc... but what are the chances that amount of money they are giving me for food and books is enough?</p>
<p>At H, the only food plan is an unlimited food plan, and they know the exact cost of it so that's covered. Books, personal expenses and travel are ballpark estimates that will vary greatly from student to student. Definitely look for a campus job - a great way to make faculty / staff contacts as well as earn money. H is incredibly generous on aid, and their FAO is very easy to work with. Think about it - with a $36 billion endowment, if they had undergrads going around talking about having to go hungry or cold to make it through there, they'd take a PR beating.</p>
<p>darciejune-$2000/year for books is MORE than enough. There were a couple semesters where I was lazy, and just bought everything at the Coop (instead of shopping around and buying used on Amazon.com like I usually do), and I never spent more than $600 a semester. Plus, you can always resell your books when you're done.</p>
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yeah, in my housing application, I said that I would like to room with people from the same socio-economic background as me.
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<p>I think it's great to be exposed to students at all points along the socioeconomic spectrum. Even with Harvard's amazing aid, you will be around a lot of kids paying full freight to attend. Most of these kids are not extravagent spenders or snobs, and you will find that often, your similarities outwiegh your differences. Please don't make the mistake of avoiding these students just because they come from a different background.</p>
<p>No matter how much money you give to people, it is never enough. It is why wealth redistribution will never work.</p>
<p>weasel, Nice post! Great advice to follow</p>
<p>yeah, I guess, but I'm just trying to avoid the stereotypical snobs that go to Harvard. It's one thing to see people during class, but I don't want to put up with that 24/7. Oh, one thing about the movie tickets, you can also get that for free. I don't know remember where I read it, I think it's on that Harvard wiki page. They got a lot of free stuff you can get, you just need to know where to look</p>
<p>hamman,</p>
<p>Don't assume that people are snobby at Harvard. We are from California (Orange County) and we are known for being a bit laid back and relaxed. My son was also thinking the same thing that you thought about people being way to uptight and stuffy. Wow, what a nice surprise when we went to visit. Everyone was nice and NO ATTITUDES. He's really looking forward to Sept and getting started. Best of luck to you and try to relax and be yourself. There are many many kids from all walks of life at Harvard and that is so great for everyone.</p>
<p>Hamman - Many of the kindest and friendliest Harvard students I know are also the wealthiest!</p>
<p>hmm yeah, I guess Harvard is too diverse to categorize...</p>
<p>"It's one thing to see people during class, but I don't want to put up with that 24/7." </p>
<p>Hamman, I am not sure you got the point, judging someone by how much money their parents make is discrimination, imagine if you were the wealthy kid saying you only wanted to room with people of your own socioeconomic background. You would be crucified by these folks here on CC. It would be no different than if you had asked Harvard to only room you with kids who are of the same race or religion as you. ( I would be surprised if they honored your request)
I get the feeling that you may be a bit intimidated by their wealth but remember.... YOU were accepted to the best University in the country and YOU are every bit their equal and in no way inferior. You may encounter a few snobby people, but in life you will meet and have to deal with all types of people. Those people may learn valuable life lessons from you, (how can they do that if you avoid "them") remember they didn't do anything to earn the money except be born, it's their parents money. You all got into Harvard by your hard work and perseverance, so relax, be open-minded and enjoy meeting all sorts of new people. Remember Harvard strives for Diversity. Be proud that you are one of the 7 or so percent this year who can say "I am Harvard Freshman".</p>