<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I have an offer from one of the Harvard graduate schools. I also received my financial aid information today. It includes a certain amount for term-time employment.</p>
<p>Are students who receive financial aid expected to participate in term-time employment schemes? Or would it be acceptable to turn down this part of the financial award and accept the rest?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>If I’m understanding you correctly, it isn’t aid. Harvard just expects you to have a certain amount of expenses that they believe can be paid for by term-time working. You find the job yourself though.</p>
<p>You do not have to accept the term-time employment. In fact, they may replace it with a loan if you ask.</p>
<p>Thank you. I realise it’s not financial aid as such, but it’s included along with the grant in the letter.</p>
<p>I was wondering whether there was any sort of implied obligation to take up an on-campus job (to make a contribution to school life, etc), but it sounds like this is only a suggestion.</p>
<p>No, they actually don’t require you to have a job at all. They are just basically saying that they won’t pay that part. IF you DO get a job though, on campus are almost always better. The pay is really very good.</p>