Economy

Harvard free tuition: University to cover costs for families earning up to $200,000

Harvard University is making a bold move to expand access to higher education, announcing that undergraduate tuition will be free for students from families earning $200,000 or less.

The financial aid expansion, set to take effect in the 2025-26 academic year, aims to make the prestigious Ivy League institution more affordable than ever.

In an even bigger boost for lower-income students, Harvard will cover not just tuition but also housing, food, health insurance, and travel expenses for families earning $100,000 or less annually.

These students will also receive a $2,000 start-up grant in their freshman year and another $2,000 launch grant in their junior year to support their transition beyond college.

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NEW: Harvard University on Monday announced that tuition will be free for students from families with annual incomes of $200,000 or less starting in the 2025-26 academic year. abcnews.link/j661fIP

8:13 PM · Mar 17, 2025

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According to the university, this financial aid expansion will allow approximately 86% of US families to qualify for assistance at Harvard College.

Students from families making up to $200,000 will not only have tuition covered but will also receive additional aid for other expenses.

Since launching the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative in 2004, the university has steadily expanded its financial assistance programs, with the latest threshold increase marking its fourth revision.

Currently, more than half of Harvard undergraduates receive financial aid, with their families paying an average of $15,700 for the 2023-24 academic year.

Harvard’s decision follows similar moves by other top-tier universities.

The University of Texas System recently expanded its free tuition program to cover families earning $100,000 or less, while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) eliminated tuition costs for students from families making under $200,000.

With tuition prices often acting as a barrier to entry for many students, Harvard’s latest initiative signals a significant step toward making elite higher education more accessible for middle-class and lower-income families.

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