South Africans apply to Harvard College as international first-year applicants through the Common Application, with the Harvard questions. According to the Harvard first-year application page, you need a $95 fee (or a fee waiver), SAT or ACT scores, a school report with a counsellor letter and transcript, two teacher recommendations and a midyear report. No South African APS applies.
Cost is the other big question. Harvard’s 2026-27 billed total is $91,634 before aid, but its financial aid policy is the same for international and US applicants.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Common Application with the Harvard questions
- Application fee of $95, or a fee waiver request
- SAT or ACT scores
- A school report with a counsellor letter and transcript
- Two teacher recommendations
- A midyear report
- Restrictive Early Action deadline of 1 November, or Regular Decision by 1 January (2026-27 cycle)
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Harvard’s international applicants page says aid and admission policies are the same whatever your nationality, and that Harvard meets each student’s demonstrated need. Admission decisions are made without regard to aid applications.
For 2026-27 the cost of attendance is:
- Tuition: $62,226
- Fees: $6,216
- Housing: $14,250
- Food: $8,942
- Billed total: $91,634
- With estimated expenses, the total is $95,134 to $100,134
- Health insurance costs a further $4,954 unless you are already covered
Families with annual incomes below $100,000 have an expected parent contribution of zero. For families earning up to $200,000, aid covers at least full tuition.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Harvard does not use an APS. Standardised testing is a stated academic requirement: SAT or ACT scores must be submitted. Only in exceptional cases, when those tests are not accessible, can AP, IB, GCSE or A-Level, or national leaving results be used instead.
Your school transcript and the counsellor’s school report show your subjects and results. Ask your school early how it will supply these, and put questions about subject choices to Harvard admissions.
Documents and Application Requirements
- The Common Application and the Harvard questions
- The $95 application fee, or a fee waiver request
- SAT or ACT scores
- The school report, counsellor letter and transcript
- Two teacher recommendations
- The midyear report
An English proficiency exam such as TOEFL or IELTS is not required for first-year applicants, but you may submit one. It cannot be used to satisfy the SAT or ACT requirement.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
In the 2026-27 cycle, Restrictive Early Action candidates apply by 1 November and Regular Decision candidates by 1 January. Check the Harvard first-year page for the dates of your entry year.
Harvard says admission decisions are made without regard to aid applications. For a US student visa, confirm the current process with the United States Embassy in South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Harvard University fees?
For 2026-27, tuition is $62,226, fees $6,216, housing $14,250 and food $8,942, a billed total of $91,634 before aid.
How much does Harvard University cost in total?
With estimated expenses, $95,134 to $100,134 for 2026-27, plus $4,954 for health insurance unless you are already covered. Aid is income-based: families earning under $100,000 have an expected parent contribution of zero.
Can I get financial aid as a South African?
Harvard says its aid and admission policies are identical regardless of nationality, and that it meets each student’s demonstrated need.
What tests do I need?
SAT or ACT scores, except in exceptional cases when those tests are not accessible.
When do I apply?
In the 2026-27 cycle, by 1 November for Restrictive Early Action or 1 January for Regular Decision.
Confirm everything with Harvard College admissions before you apply. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.