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HSPH Catalog

Financial Aid

Estimated Student Expenses

The budget information below is intended to provide students with an estimate of how much it will cost to spend nine months at HSPH. These figures are for the 2007–08 academic year; applicants for subsequent years should anticipate increases.

2007–08 Student Expense Budget
    1-year master’s programs Doctoral and 2-year programs master’s programs
Full-time tuition   $34,085 $32,080
University Health Services Fee $713 per semester $1,426 $1,426
BC/BS Health Insurance Fee $681 per semester $1,362 $1,362
Registration Fee $125 per semester $250 $250
Books/Supplies $673 per semester $1,346 $1,346
Living Allowances
  Rent/Utilities $1,022 per month $9,198 $9,198
  Food $328 per month $2,952 $2,952
  Personal $386 per month $3,474 $3,474
  Local Transportation $72 per month $648 $648
SUBTOTAL $54,741 $52,736
Federal student loan fees  3% $555
 $555
TOTAL $55,296 $53,291
  1. For part-time students, tuition charges are assessed based upon the number of credits for which a student is registered. For 2007–08 the charge is $802 per credit hour. Please refer to the HSPH Tuition and Fees Schedule for more information on billing procedures and payment requirements for part-time students. This is available from the HSPH Registrar’s Office by calling 617-432-1032.

  2. Part-time students taking 10 credits or fewer may waive the University Health Services fee if a waiver form is completed prior to registration.

  3. The BC/BS health insurance fee can be waived upon proof of comparable coverage. Students with a spouse and/or children may request family coverage at a fee of $3,072 for a student and spouse; $2,388 for a student and child; $4,098 for a student, spouse, and child; and $4,614 for a student, spouse, and children.

  4. International students in the 1-year master’s programs must be able to demonstrate a 9-month level of support of this level ($54,741) prior to the issuance of an appropriate visa. Other master’s degree and doctoral candidates must demonstrate a 12-month support level of at least $58,160. Students with additional family members must demonstrate the following levels of support:
    5.  
    Student & spouse Student & child Student, spouse, & 1 child * Student, spouse, & 1 child*
      Student & spouse Student & child Student, spouse, & 1 child * Student, spouse, & 1 child*
    9 month
    (1-year programs)    		 $62,671 $60,359 $65,679 $67,943
     12 month
    (1-year programs)    		 $69,571 $67,043 $72,969 $75,683
    12 month
    (multiyear programs)    		 $67,566 $65,038 $70,964 $73,678
    *For each additional child, add $1,485 for the 9-month and $1,980 for the 12-month budget.

  1. Loan fees are based on borrowing $18,500 in Federal Direct Loans, available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.

Matriculation in Summer Programs

Tuition for the Clinical Effectiveness Program and the Summer Session for Public Health Studies in 2007 is $802 per credit. HSPH offers a special program in English communication in advance of the regular orientation for entering students; tuition for the English communication seminar is $800 for summer 2007. Living expenses, including rent, are about $1,808 a month.

Sources of Financial Aid

The Office of Student Financial Services and academic departments make every effort to assist students in finding resources to finance their education at HSPH. It should be noted that the school’s need-based grants are extremely limited. Students are urged to investigate all sources of support, including employers, government agencies, and civil and religious organizations.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work programs, as follows:

Grants and scholarships    The Office of Student Financial Services and some academic departments may have grants or departmental scholarships that cover partial or full tuition; some grants also provide a stipend. Eligibility is generally based on career goals, academic merit, experience, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Please contact the department to which you are applying for additional information.

The university offers a number of restricted scholarships to students who meet specific criteria. Please refer to the HSPH financial aid application for more information. An HSPH application for financial aid is required.

Federal student loans    The Office of Student Financial Services administers the Federal Direct Loan and Federal Perkins Loan programs. The maximum amount a student may receive under the direct loan program is $18,500 per academic year. Some full-time students may be eligible for an additional $12,500. Students with extreme financial need may also be eligible for a Perkins loan up to $6,000. To apply for these loan programs, a student must

  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible nonresident
  • not be in default on a prior federal loan or owe a refund on a federal student grant
  • be enrolled at least half-time (10 or more credits per semester)
  • complete the financial aid application process

Alternative student loans     The Harvard University Loan Program requires no fees or co-applicants and has a low interest rate of prime less 0.125 percent. Students are usually eligible regardless of their creditworthiness. Loan funds for international students are limited. The loan amount is determined by HSPH.

Work programs    Some students may obtain part-time employment as research or teaching assistants in their academic departments. Additionally the school participates in the Federal Work-Study Program, which subsidizes between 50 percent and 75 percent of the on- or off-campus employer’s costs. Eligibility for this program is the same as for federal student loans.

Please refer to the student financial services website for additional and updated information about loan and work programs.

Health Fees, September 2007–August 2008
University Health Services (UHS) Fee Semester Year
Individual $713 $1,426
Family (student plus spouse)   3,218
Family (student plus spouse and one child)   4,010
 
The University Health Services (UHS) provides comprehensive prepaid medical care such as physical examinations, physician visits, laboratory tests, psychological counseling, and emergency services. The UHS fee is compulsory for all degree candidates and special students registered for more than 10 credits in a semester. Others may elect to waive UHS coverage; this must be done before September 30 for fall and March 31 for spring.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS) Medical Insurance Semester Year
Individual $681 $1,362
Family (student plus spouse) 3,072
Family (student plus spouse and one child) 4,098

The Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS) plan provides extensive benefits for ambulatory and inpatient care not offered at UHS. BC/BS coverage is compulsory for all nonimmigrant international students and for all other students who do not have comparable insurance. International students whose spouse and/or children will also be living in the United States are required to enroll in the family plan. U.S. students who have comparable insurance may elect to waive BC/BS coverage; this must be done by September 30 for fall and March 31 for spring.

Note: UHS and BC/BS coverage extends from September 1 through August 31.

Contact Information

For more information about billing procedures or the financial aid application process, please contact:

HSPH Office of Student Financial Services
708 Huntington Avenue
Boston MA, 02115
Phone: 617-432-1867
Fax: 617-432-5431
E-mail: osfs@hsph.harvard.edu
Web: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/finaid