HDS Institutional Grants

To make an HDS education affordable, most of the scholarship aid for MDiv and MTS candidates is awarded based on demonstrated financial need. We strongly encourage all MTS and MDiv students to apply for need-based financial aid. 

The Admissions Committee determines merit-based awards, which represent about 10 percent of each year’s institutional grants. Merit awards generally include a full-tuition grant and a modest stipend to assist with living expenses (typically in the $12,000–$20,000 range. Merit awards are generally renewed from year to year provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress and remains in the original program admitted to. 

Need-based awards range from 75 percent tuition to full tuition. In addition to tuition grants, a small pool of stipend assistance will be offered to students with the highest levels of financial need. 

Need-based awards are reviewed every year but generally remain consistent for years two and/or three of the program providing the student remains in the original program they applied to. Note: Financial aid awarding policies are subject to change. 

Students in the Master of Theology (ThM) or Master in Religion and Public Life (MRPL) program who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens may qualify for federal funds and/or private loans. HDS does not provide grant support for the ThM or MRPL programs. Special students are not eligible for institutional or federal aid. 

Calculation of financial need 

Each individual's financial need is calculated based on the information provided on the form(s) that make up the student's financial aid application. Financial aid awards may be subject to change if supplementary documentation (i.e., tax transcripts, bank statements, etc.) indicates significant changes from the information originally reported on the form. The "student contribution" derived from this calculation is then used to package grant dollars from HDS. This formula has been designed to provide an equitable system for the awarding of available institutional funds. Due to limited funding, HDS cannot guarantee to meet full need. 

It is the student's responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid of any changes to their financial aid application, such as a change in marital status, change in household size, or receipt of outside gifts or awards. These changes may result in an adjustment to a student's award. 

Grant support for MDiv and MTS candidates 

Master's candidates may apply for grant support during the period in which they are being charged tuition. Students who extend their program beyond the necessary degree requirements are ineligible for institutional support. Students who extend their academic program but who are still within the necessary degree requirements should consult with the financial aid office to determine if they would be eligible to continue receiving grant support. Students receiving stipend support should note that stipends are provided only for the duration of the traditional length of their program (two years for the MTS and three years for the MDiv). United States citizens and permanent residents may apply for federal funds to assist with the added costs of extending their program. 

Grant support for PhD candidates 

Admitted PhD candidates will be sent their financial aid award by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 

Yellow Ribbon Program

Harvard Divinity School participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program provides additional financial assistance to those veterans who qualify for 100 percent of Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits. HDS will provide scholarship assistance up to the maximum amount to be matched by the VA for all eligible veterans. The combination of federal and HDS grants is expected to cover the full cost of tuition and fees for the academic year.

If an applicant receives scholarship assistance from HDS, a portion of the scholarship amount will be designated as the Yellow Ribbon match.

An application for Yellow Ribbon will consist of the submission of a Notice of Enrollment Form and a copy of your VA certificate of eligibility. The certificate of eligibility can take some time to receive, so students should start the process of requesting the form once they make an enrollment decision. Please contact the financial aid office for instructions on how to submit the Notice of Enrollment Form and how to securely e-mail the certificate of eligibility form. We cannot accept application materials prior to June 1.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.