Financial aid leads to a record applicant pool at Harvard College

January 21, 2009

More than 29,000 students have applied to Harvard for entrance next September, exceeding last year’s record of 27,462 and the previous record of 22,955, set the year before. In the face of an unprecedented economic downturn, financial aid has proven to be a crucial element in encouraging so many students to apply.

“Financial aid has never been more important to those we hope to attract to Cambridge,” said William R. Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid. “Thanks to the leadership of Michael Smith, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and President Drew Faust, and their unwavering commitment to our new financial aid program, many of the nation’s — and the world’s — best students responded to the clear message that Harvard remains open to talented students from all economic backgrounds.”

Almost 78 percent of this year’s applicants will apply for financial aid, compared with 73 percent last year. Harvard’s financial aid program, which was phased in over the past few years, requires no contribution from families with annual incomes below $60,000 and approximately 10 percent of income from families who make up to $180,000, assuming they do not have unusual assets. Read the full story.