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Special Populations

There are a number of groups of students which are considered special populations for financial aid purposes as their application and/or aid processing may be different from the standard student. This includes married students, students with dependents, international students, joint/concurrent degree students, students in other programs where they are studying away from HLS, and students who take a leave of absence. This section of the web is designed to help you understand the financial aid process and program details for each of the following special student populations.

  • Berkeley Exchange

    During the second semester of the 2L year, students can petition the Administrative Board, through the Dean of Students Office, to study at Berkeley for the 3L year. 

  • Cambridge LL.M.

    2L students can apply to the JD/LLM program through the Graduate Program. Admitted students spend their 3L year in Cambridge, England, working towards an LLM. At the end of the year, students receive an LLM and a semester's worth of credit toward their HLS JD. Students then spend one additional semester at Harvard to finish their JD degree. 

  • JD/MBA

    This program allows students to receive both their JD and MBA from Harvard in four years, reducing the total time from five years to four years. Students spend one year at each the law school and business school and are enrolled at both schools for the final two years.

  • JD/MPH

    The JD/MPH joint degree program offers students the opportunity to receive two degrees in three academic years and one summer. Student are enrolled full-time at the Law School for the first year and the following July and August in summer session at the School of Public Health. The second and third years are spent jointly at both schools. 

  • JD/MPP, JD/MPA/ID

    The JD/MPP and JD/MPA/ID joint degree programs offer students the opportunity to receive two degrees in four academic years. Students in these programs are enrolled for one full year at the Law School and one full year at the Kennedy School; either can come first. In the third and fourth years, they are enrolled jointly at both schools.

  • Leave of Absence

    Students who take a leave of absence or withdraw from HLS are required to meet with Student Financial Services to discuss the financial aid implications.

  • Married Students and Students (Both Married & Single) with Dependent Children

    Harvard Law School, as required by federal student aid rules, does not have a separate, fixed budget for married students or for students (both married and single) with dependent children. Instead, allowances are given in the calculation of the student contribution to account for these expenses. This section explains this process in detail. 

  • Study Abroad

    Up to 10 students each year are granted permission to study for one semester at a foreign institution. Students may study abroad either during their second year (fall or spring semester) or during the fall semester of their third year. This section explains financial aid policies related to this program. 

  • The Program for Third Year Visits

    The Program for Third Year Visits is available for third year students who need to study out of residence, at another ABA accredited law school, due to personal hardship or for academic enhancement. In order to participate in this program, students must petition the HLS Administrative Board, through the Dean of Students Office.

  • VA Yellow Ribbon Program

    For the 2009-10 academic year, Harvard Law School will provide up to 12 qualifying post-9/11 veterans the maximum assistance available under the federal government’s new Yellow Ribbon Program.

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