To make elite higher education more accessible, Harvard University has announced that students from families earning $200,000 or less per year will qualify for free tuition starting in the 2025-26 academic year. The decision expands the Ivy League institution’s commitment to financial aid and educational equity.
The initiative, revealed on Monday, is a shift in Harvard’s financial aid policy. With the new plan, approximately 86% of U.S. families will now qualify for Harvard’s financial aid program. This effort will reduce financial barriers for middle- and lower-income families, reinforcing the university’s mission of attracting top talent from diverse backgrounds, regardless of economic status.
Harvard President Alan M. Garber emphasized the impact of this decision in a statement:
“Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals widens the array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that all of our students encounter, fostering their intellectual and personal growth. By bringing people of outstanding promise together to learn with and from one another, we truly realize the tremendous potential of the University.”
Under this new policy, students from families earning less than $85,000 per year will receive full financial support, including tuition, room, and board. Families making between $85,000 and $200,000 will now qualify for free tuition, though they may still have to contribute to additional costs like housing, books, and personal expenses based on individual circumstances.
Previously, Harvard provided full-ride financial aid only to families earning $75,000 or less.
Harvard’s move follows a growing national conversation about the rising cost of higher education and the barriers faced by middle-class families in affording top-tier universities. While financial aid programs at elite schools have traditionally focused on low-income students, this expansion acknowledges that many middle-class families also struggle with the burden of tuition and student loans.
By eliminating tuition for students from families making under $200K, Harvard wants to broaden access to an Ivy League education, reduce student debt, and foster a more socioeconomically diverse student body.
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