Fees and Expenses
The Program and Activity Fees for Visiting Scholars and Visiting Researchers (“Visitors”) for the 2024-2025 academic year* are as follows:
- Visiting Scholars (those who received their highest law degree ten or more years ago): $7,400
- Visiting Researchers (those who received their highest law degree within the last 10 years, or who are completing a doctorate or other advanced law degree): $3,900
- Visiting Researchers who graduated from Harvard Law School within the previous 12 months: $1,900
For the 2024-2025 academic year*, the total cost of housing, food, medical fees, books and supplies, and personal and travel expenses for a single Visitor was at least $36,896 in living expenses for a 10 month period (not including Program and Activity Fees). In addition, we estimated $194/month (or $1,940/two-term appointment) for J-visa compliant health insurance for a single Visitor, though there are many policies available and actual rates depend on the Visitor and the specific terms of each policy. (Visit http://www.hio.harvard.edu/health-care-scholars for more information.) For married Visitors, living expenses for a spouse would be a minimum of $17,777 for a 10-month stay, and an additional $9,333 for each child, not including dependent health insurance fees.
Please note: If you are admitted for a two-semester appointment beginning in the spring, please use the following estimates in determining your cost: A single person will expect to incur at least $44,275 in living expenses for a 12-month period (including the summer months). In addition, we estimate $194/month (or $2,328/year) for J-visa compliant health insurance for a single Visitor, though there are many policies available and actual rates depend on the Visitor and the specific terms of each policy. (Visit http://www.hio.harvard.edu/health-care-scholars for more information.) At a minimum an additional $21,333 would be required for the living expenses of your spouse and an additional $11,200 per child would also be required, not including dependent health insurance fees.
There is no financial aid available from Harvard Law School for Visiting Scholars or Visiting Researchers.
*Fees are subject to change.
Other Sources of Funds
Applicants seeking financial assistance should investigate funding sources in their home countries well in advance. Examples of such sources include employers, government agencies and foundations. Loans from private lending institutions in the U.S. may also be available to international applicants.
The United States Embassy or consulate in an international applicant’s home country may have information on U.S. government grants under the Fulbright program and other information on fellowship opportunities. Applicants who are from certain countries or who meet certain specific criteria may be eligible for a number of scholarships administered by Harvard University’s Committee on General Scholarships. Please note that many of these scholarships have their own application procedures and deadlines, and students must apply for some of these funds by contacting committees or agencies in their home countries.
In some cases it may be possible for Visitors to undertake part-time paid employment on campus, e.g., working in the Law School Library or as research assistants for faculty members. Generally speaking, Visitors can expect to earn up to a total of $3,500 over the course of the academic year in return for 6–8 hours of work per week. These positions cannot be arranged through the Graduate Program Office. Visitors interested in such employment must seek out such positions after arrival at Harvard Law School. Off-campus employment during the year of study is not permitted for international Visitors.