Harvard University announced Monday that it will offer free tuition to undergraduate students from families earning $200,000 or less annually, expanding its financial aid program to make higher education more accessible. The initiative will take effect in the 2025-26 academic year.
Students from families with incomes of $100,000 or less will receive full financial coverage, including tuition, housing, food, health insurance, and travel expenses. The university also plans to provide a $2,000 start-up grant in a student’s first year and a $2,000 launch grant in their junior year to support their transition beyond college.
Harvard President Alan M. Garber said the expansion aims to increase socioeconomic diversity and foster intellectual and personal growth by ensuring students from all backgrounds can access a Harvard education. The university stated that the revised financial aid policy would qualify approximately 86% of U.S. families for assistance.
Since launching its Financial Aid Initiative in 2004, Harvard has progressively increased income thresholds to cover tuition and essential expenses. Currently, 55% of undergraduates receive financial aid, with families paying an average of $15,700 for the 2023-24 academic year.
Harvard College Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid William R. Fitzsimmons emphasized the importance of financial aid in attracting a diverse student body. Other institutions have also expanded financial assistance programs, including the University of Texas System, which now covers tuition for families earning $100,000 or less, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which recently eliminated tuition costs for students from families earning under $200,000.
