President Trump promised a deal last summer. Other universities have agreed to pay millions to settle with the federal government since then, but Harvard, which was asked to pay much more, has not.
The school, one of several to face pressure campaigns from the Trump administration, would pay a $75 million fine and have its research funding restored under terms of the agreement being discussed.
Northwestern University has endured months of pressure from the White House and Republicans in Congress, who have accused the school of not doing enough to address antisemitism.