Harvard University will expand its financial aid program starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, offering free tuition to students from families earning under $200,000, the school announced Monday.
Previously, free tuition was only available to families earning less than $85,000. Under the new policy, households earning under $100,000 will have all billed expenses covered, including tuition, room, board, health insurance, and travel costs. They’ll also receive $2,000 grants in their freshman and junior years. Families earning between $100,000 and $200,000 will have tuition fully covered but may need to contribute to housing and other costs.
The policy aims to ease the financial burden on middle-income families, many of whom struggle to afford rising tuition costs. Harvard estimates it will invest $275 million in financial aid next year.
The move follows similar steps by institutions like MIT and comes amid nationwide financial pressures on universities. Harvard’s endowment, valued at over $50 billion, supports the expansion.
