Getting a degree from a top university can be life-changing. But for many families, the cost of tuition makes it nearly impossible.
Harvard University is taking a big step to change that. Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, Harvard will offer free tuition to undergraduate students from American families earning less than $200,000 per year, reports Hotnews.
The university will also cover housing, health insurance, and other expenses for those from families making under $100,000.
Harvard previously offered free tuition to students from households earning less than $85,000 annually.
Now, the new policy will expand financial aid to a much larger group, especially middle-income families who often struggle to afford higher education.
Harvard’s undergraduate program, known as Harvard College, currently costs more than $82,000 per year, including tuition, room, and board.
These new changes will make a Harvard education more accessible to thousands of students.
University President Alan Garber said the initiative will allow students from a wider range of backgrounds to attend Harvard.
He believes this will enrich the learning environment by bringing together people with different experiences and perspectives.
The goal is to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent talented students from pursuing their education at Harvard.
This move comes at a time when many universities are reevaluating their financial aid policies.
In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions.
Since then, elite institutions have been searching for ways to maintain diversity in their student bodies.
Some experts believe Harvard’s new tuition policy could help attract students from underrepresented backgrounds, even without race-based admissions policies.
Other prestigious universities have introduced similar programs in recent years.
Harvard’s updated financial aid plan means that approximately 86% of American families will now qualify for some level of assistance.
For many families, paying for college is a major financial burden. The median household income in the U.S. was $80,610 in 2023, according to the Census Bureau.
Harvard’s decision could relieve financial stress for thousands of students and give them opportunities they never thought possible.
This change may also encourage other universities to rethink their own financial aid policies, making higher education more affordable for students across the country.
