Harvard University

Harvard University

Harvard is America's oldest institution of higher learning, founded 16 years after the arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth and 140 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Seven presidents of the United States have been graduates of Harvard and its faculty has produced 43 Nobel laureates.

Over the last four centuries, Harvard has grown from nine students with a single master to an enrollment of nearly 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduates and graduate students. An additional 12,000 students are enrolled in one or more courses in the Harvard Extension School. Over 15,000 people work at the University, including more than 2,800 faculty. There are also more than 9,000 faculty appointments in affiliated teaching hospitals.

Harvard's mission, to advance new ideas and promote enduring knowledge, has kept the University young. Harvard strives to create an academic environment in which outstanding students and scholars from around the world are continually challenged and inspired to do their best possible work. This includes talented students from families of low and moderate income, who are encouraged to attend Harvard College through a program announced in February 2004 by Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers. Last year, Harvard spent $263 million on scholarships and student awards, 10 percent of its budget.