Harvard Is Now Offering Free Tuition For Some Students

Harvard University has announced it will offer free tuition for students whose families make less than $200,000 a year.

Harvard University President Alan M. Garber announced on Monday that Harvard College will be free for students with annual incomes of $100,000 or less and tuition-free for students whose families with an annual income of $200,000 or less.

Garber stated, “Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals widens the array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that all of our students encounter, fostering their intellectual and personal growth.”

“By bringing people of outstanding promise together to learn with and from one another, we truly realize the tremendous potential of the University,” added Garber.

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. https://t.co/fNQDbi2VIz

— ABC News (@ABC) March 17, 2025

Per The Harvard Gazette:

Harvard University President Alan M. Garber and Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Hopi Hoekstra on Monday announced that Harvard College will be free for students from families with annual incomes of $100,000 or less and tuition-free for students from families with annual incomes of $200,000 or less.

This significant expansion of financial aid, which begins in the 2025-26 academic year, will make Harvard affordable to more students than ever, especially from middle-income families.

“Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals widens the array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that all of our students encounter, fostering their intellectual and personal growth,” Garber said. “By bringing people of outstanding promise together to learn with and from one another, we truly realize the tremendous potential of the University.”

The expansion will enable approximately 86 percent of U.S. families to qualify for Harvard College’s financial aid, extending the University’s commitment to providing all undergrads the resources they need to enroll and graduate.

“Harvard has long sought to open our doors to the most talented students, no matter their financial circumstances,” said Hoekstra. “This investment in financial aid aims to make a Harvard College education possible for every admitted student, so they can pursue their academic passions and positively impact our future.”

Starting in the 2025-26 academic year, Harvard College will be free for students whose family income is $100,000 and below. This covers all billed expenses including tuition, food, housing, health insurance, and travel costs. Additionally, each of these students will receive a $2,000 start-up grant in their first year and a $2,000 launch grant during their junior year to help support the transition beyond Harvard.

Harvard has announced free tuition for families earning less than $200K/year

They will provide free housing and health insurance for families earning less than $100K/year pic.twitter.com/91tuL1z9Dv

— Dexerto (@Dexerto) March 17, 2025

Per ABC News:

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.

“Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals widens the array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that all of our students encounter, fostering their intellectual and personal growth,” Harvard University President Alan M. Garber said in a statement. “By bringing people of outstanding promise together to learn with and from one another, we truly realize the tremendous potential of the University.”

The new plan will enable about 86% of U.S. families to qualify for Harvard financial aid and expand the Ivy League college’s commitment to providing all undergrads the resources they need to enroll and graduate, according to Garber.