Harvard University
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $89,740 |
| Tuition & Fees | $64,594 |
| Living Expenses | $25,146 |
| Books, Supplies & Other | $0 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $69,240 |
Cover Your $69,240/yr Gap
Harvard University Graduate Studies — MPP/MPA students typically need $138,480 in private loans over 2 years to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance.
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What This Means for You
Very large gap — requires careful evaluation
A $69,240/year gap means $138,480 in additional funding needed beyond federal loans. This is among the largest gaps nationally. Carefully evaluate the return on investment before committing.
- Calculate your expected debt-to-income ratio using projected starting salaries
- Explore income-driven repayment options for the federal loan portion
- Request a meeting with the financial aid office to discuss all available institutional support
- Compare total cost with peer programs — the same degree may cost significantly less elsewhere
- Consider whether employer tuition assistance or military benefits apply to your situation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Harvard University Graduate Studies — MPP/MPA students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Harvard University Graduate Studies — MPP/MPA students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Harvard University?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does Harvard University Graduate Studies — MPP/MPA cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Harvard University Graduate Studies — MPP/MPA is $89,740 per year. Over the full 2-year program, the total cost is $179,480.
What is the funding gap for Harvard University Graduate Studies — MPP/MPA?
The annual funding gap is $69,240, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($89,740) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 2-year program, the total gap is $138,480. This is above the national median of $15,563 for Graduate (General) programs.
Is Harvard University Graduate Studies — MPP/MPA classified as graduate or professional?
Harvard University Graduate Studies — MPP/MPA (MPP/MPA) is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
Related Articles
What the OBBBA Means for Graduate Students
The 2026 law eliminates Grad PLUS loans and sets a $20,500/year cap. Here's what changes and what doesn't.
Read more →How to Fund the Gap Without Grad PLUS
Scholarships, assistantships, private loans, and employer programs — a practical guide to covering unfunded costs.
Read more →Private Student Loans: What to Know in 2026
Credit requirements, cosigner impact, and how to compare rates across lenders.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Harvard University’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Subtitle B, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 166027.
- Program classification: MPP/MPA is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.