In what is called a masterstroke and game-changing development, the prestigious Harvard University on Monday announced free tuition for students whose family income is $200,000 or less than it. Harvard Free tuition announcement came as part of a "decades-long commitment" to making education more accessible, particularly for middle-income families. Harvard Free tuition announcement can be used by students from academic year 2025-26. As per reports, approximately 86% of US families will now qualify for financial assistance at Harvard College.
Harvard Financial Aid- Free tuition, Housing: Who can apply?
As of now, the Harvard's latest Financial Aid can only be availed by the students who are native to the United States.
Harvard Freetuition Eligibility
- Families earning $100,000 or less- Full coverage of tuition, housing, food, and fees. Plus, students get a $2,000 start-up grant in their first year and a $2,000 launch grant in their junior year.
- Families earning $100,000–$200,000- Tuition is fully covered, though additional aid for housing and other costs depends on financial circumstances.
- Families earning above $200,000- Financial aid is still available, but not guaranteed.
Harvard President Alan M. Garber in an official release said, "Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals broadens the range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives our students encounter, fostering their intellectual and personal growth.... By bringing together people of exceptional promise to learn with and from one another, we truly unlock the University's vast potential."
Interestingly, Harvard is not the only American university that offers free tuition. The University of Pennsylvania announced a similar policy in November last year, saying it would offer free tuition for students from families under $200,000.
Furthermore, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has also announced a $200,000 cutoff last year. The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) also offers a similar plan. Other universities have also increased their financial aid caps in the past year to attract new students. These schools include Dartmouth, the University of Virginia, and the University of North Carolina, among others.
It is pertinent to mention here that while Harvard has made tuition free, its acceptance rate remains below 4%. Getting admission to Harvard is still a dream and a massive task for students in the US and around the world.