Harvard is expanding its financial aid program to offer free tuition to students from families earning $200,000 or less per year, starting in the 2025-26 academic year.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Families earning $200,000 or less annually receive full tuition coverage
• Families earning $100,000 or less get additional support for housing, books, and other expenses
• First-year students receive a $2,000 start-up grant
• Juniors receive an additional $2,000 transition grant

This expansion significantly increases Harvard's previous aid threshold of $85,000, making it one of the most generous financial aid programs among universities.

Remaining Costs:

• Housing and food ($26,000/year)
• Books and supplies
• Personal expenses
• Travel costs Note: Families earning under $100,000 receive aid covering these additional expenses.

Comparison with Other Ivy League Schools:

• Princeton: Free tuition for families under $100,000
• Yale: Full-need aid without loans
• Stanford: Covers tuition for families up to $150,000

Impact for Prospective Students:

• Increased accessibility for middle-income families
• No student loans (replaced with grants since 2007)
• Greater economic diversity at Harvard

This initiative, supported by Harvard's $53 billion endowment, demonstrates the university's commitment to making world-class education accessible to talented students regardless of financial background. Dean Hopi Hoekstra emphasizes that this program aims to "make a Harvard education possible for every admitted student, so they can pursue their academic passions and positively impact our future."

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