On March 17, 2025, Harvard University announced a significant expansion of its financial aid program. Starting in the 2025-26 academic year, tuition will be free for students from families with annual incomes of $200,000 or less.
- Harvard makes tuition free for families under $200,000.
- Free attendance for families under $100,000 income.
- Expanded aid covers all billed expenses.
- 86% of U.S. families qualify for financial aid.
- Annual financial aid budget is $275 million.
- Harvard joins other elite schools in aid expansion.
The new initiative allows students from households earning under $100,000 to attend Harvard without any costs related to tuition, food, housing, health insurance, or travel. These students will also receive a $2,000 start-up grant in their first year and an additional $2,000 launch grant during their junior year to assist with post-graduation transitions.
According to Harvard officials, approximately 86% of U.S. families will now qualify for financial aid through this expanded program. Currently, about 55% of undergraduates at Harvard receive some form of financial assistance and pay an average of $15,700 for the academic year 2023-24.
- Annual financial aid budget for 2025-26: $275 million
- Historical context: Financial aid thresholds have increased since the initiation of the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative in 2004.
- Other elite institutions expanding similar initiatives include MIT and Dartmouth College.
This expansion builds on previous efforts by Harvard to make education more accessible. The university eliminated loans in its financial aid packages back in 2007 and has progressively raised income thresholds over the years to accommodate more families seeking assistance.
The recent changes reflect Harvard’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity within its student body by ensuring that talented individuals from varying socioeconomic backgrounds can access quality education without financial barriers.
