Harvard University has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative that will make undergraduate education more accessible to students from middle- and lower-income families. The Ivy League institution announced that beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, students from families earning $200,000 or less annually will be eligible for tuition-free education.
Expanding financial aid for greater accessibility
Under the new policy, Harvard College—the university’s undergraduate school—will fully cover tuition costs for students from families with annual incomes of $200,000 or less. For students from households earning $100,000 or less, Harvard will not only waive tuition but also cover additional expenses, including food, housing, health insurance, and travel costs.
“This covers all billed expenses, including tuition, food, housing, health insurance, and travel costs,” Harvard stated in its announcement, further emphasizing the university’s commitment to increasing financial accessibility.
A commitment to diversity and opportunity
Harvard University President Alan M. Garber highlighted the broader impact of the initiative 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,” he said. “By bringing people of outstanding promise together to learn with and from one another, we truly realize the tremendous potential of the university.”
In addition to free tuition and covered expenses, eligible students will receive a $2,000 start-up grant in their first year to help with initial transition costs and a $2,000 launch grant in their third year to assist with post-graduation planning.
Harvard’s financial aid model and national trend
Harvard’s current estimated cost of undergraduate attendance is approximately $82,866 per year, including tuition, housing, and other expenses, with tuition alone costing $56,550. With an acceptance rate of just 3%, the university remains one of the most selective higher education institutions in the world.
Harvard’s decision to expand financial aid aligns with a broader trend among top-tier universities working to make higher education more affordable. Institutions such as Princeton University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), New York University (NYU), and the University of Pennsylvania have also introduced significant financial aid expansions, offering similar tuition-free programs for students from middle- and lower-income families.
Ensuring equal access to excellence
William R. Fitzsimmons, Harvard College’s dean of admissions and financial aid, emphasized the importance of ensuring financial barriers do not prevent talented students from accessing top-tier education. “We know the most talented students come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and experiences, from every state and around the globe,” he said in an interview with the Harvard Gazette. “Our financial aid is critical to ensuring that these students know Harvard College is a place where they can be part of a vibrant learning community strengthened by their presence and participation.”
Harvard’s expanded financial aid program underscores the university’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment. As other institutions follow suit, the landscape of higher education in the United States continues to shift towards greater accessibility and affordability for all students.