Harvard College continues to moderate tuition growth, announcing the smallest percentage increase in almost 30 years for the 1997-98 academic year.

The overall cost of attending the College will rise by 4.1 percent next year. Total charges will be $30,080, which includes $20,600 for tuition, $5,344 for the room rate and student services fee, and $3,470 for board charges. The student health fee will be $666.

Jeremy Knowles, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, said the 4.1 percent rate reflects his goal of continuing to lower tuition increases year by year, despite the rising costs of financial aid, information technology, library materials, and other items essential for sustaining the quality of Harvard's academic programs.

The overall term bill for the 1996-97 academic year was $28,896, up 4.8 percent from 1995-96. Total charges rose by 5.1 percent the previous year.

"Tuition and fees cover only about half the actual cost of educating a Harvard undergraduate," said Knowles. He noted that major building renovations, such as Memorial Hall and the Barker Center, have been funded by specific gifts from donors, not from tuition income.

William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, reaffirmed Harvard's commitment to admitting students regardless of their ability to pay (need-blind admissions) and to meeting each family's demonstrated financial need in full (need-based aid).

"The Faculty of Arts and Sciences will award about $41 million in need-based scholarships next year and administer close to $80 million in grants, loans, jobs, and other forms of financial aid," said Fitzsimmons, adding, "Two-thirds of our undergraduates receive some kind of financial support."