Harvard University expands free tuition to families earning $200,000 or less

In March 2025, Harvard University announced an expansion of its financial aid program, declaring that beginning in the 2025-26 school year, families earning $200,000 a year or less would qualify for free tuition at its undergraduate school. This significant change aims to bolster access to a Harvard education for middle-income families, a move that is seen as a response to evolving educational access discussions following recent Supreme Court decisions related to affirmative action. Previously, the threshold for free tuition was set at $85,000, meaning this policy expansion will now encompass a larger segment of American households, estimated to benefit around 86% of families in the United States. Harvard, with an impressive endowment exceeding $53 billion, has historically focused on financial aid initiatives, as indicated by its continued efforts to make education accessible regardless of financial backgrounds. Additionally, students coming from families earning $100,000 a year or less will have all their associated costs covered, including housing and supplies, further ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder talented students from pursuing their academic ambitions. Overall, the announcement signifies a major commitment to making higher education more accessible, especially for those in need of financial support while promoting diversity in the student body, reinforcing the university's mission over the past few decades. This initiative aligns with findings that around 55% of undergraduates currently receive some form of financial aid, showcasing the university's efforts to reduce student debt and facilitate seamless educational experiences. Furthermore, this development comes in the wake of a broader trend among prestigious universities, as similar tuition-free educational opportunities have been announced recently by institutions such as MIT and the University of Pennsylvania.