Harvard University announced a major change on Monday. Starting in 2025, the school will offer free tuition to students from families earning $200,000 or less per year. This new plan will make Harvard more affordable for middle-income families.
What’s New About the Plan?
For students from families making $100,000 or less each year, financial aid will cover tuition, housing, meals, and other expenses. If the family makes between $100,000 and $200,000, Harvard will still cover tuition. However, students may need to help pay for housing or other costs. Families earning more than $200,000 will still qualify for financial aid based on their situation.
This plan is a big change. Harvard has always offered aid to lower-income students, but now middle-income families will also get more help. This change is part of Harvard’s ongoing efforts to make education accessible to a wider group of students.
Harvard’s Long-Standing Commitment to Financial Aid
Alan M. Garber, President of Harvard, shared the university’s deep commitment to supporting students of all financial backgrounds. He said, “By widening access to Harvard, we enrich the diversity of experiences and perspectives that benefit all students.” This new plan shows that Harvard cares about helping students succeed, no matter their family’s income.
Currently, 55% of Harvard’s students get financial aid. On average, families contribute $15,700 per year. In 2024, full tuition at Harvard costs $56,550. Since 2004, Harvard has spent over $3.6 billion on financial aid. In 2025, Harvard plans to spend $275 million on this effort. This shows how important the school’s financial aid program is.
More Help for Middle-Income Families
This new plan will help about 86% of U.S. families. Before, Harvard helped families earning $85,000 or less. Now, families earning up to $200,000 will qualify for free tuition. For many families, this change will make a Harvard education much more affordable.
William R. Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions, said, “Our goal is to ensure every admitted student can thrive at Harvard without financial barriers.” The new program helps remove financial challenges for students, especially those from middle-income families. These families often don’t qualify for enough aid to make top schools like Harvard affordable.
Why Is Financial Aid So Important?
The cost of going to college has gone up a lot in recent years. According to a report from the College Board, tuition and fees at private colleges have risen by more than 10% over the last decade. This increase has made it harder for many families to afford college. Harvard’s new plan helps solve this problem. It gives more students the chance to attend without taking on large student loans.
This move shows how Harvard is thinking about the future of education. As tuition costs keep rising, more families are asking whether a top education is worth the price. Harvard’s new financial aid program is a clear message that cost should not keep anyone from getting a quality education.
Harvard’s Focus on Diversity
Harvard is one of the most selective universities in the world. The school has an acceptance rate of just 3.59% for the Class of 2028. Despite this, the new plan will help students from many different backgrounds. Harvard’s goal is to create a diverse student body, where all students can learn from each other’s experiences. This new financial aid program makes it possible for more students to attend, even if they come from middle-income families.
The university has always focused on diversity and inclusion. By offering more aid to middle-income families, Harvard hopes to increase its diversity. The new plan helps students from many different financial backgrounds pursue higher education.
A Step Toward Greater Opportunity
Harvard’s decision to expand financial aid is an important moment. By offering free tuition to families earning up to $200,000, Harvard is making it clear that education should be available to everyone. This change will help talented students from all walks of life have the chance to attend. Harvard is setting a new standard for what it means to be accessible.
The new program also sends a message to other universities. It shows that top schools can be more inclusive by making financial aid a priority. Other universities may follow Harvard’s lead and offer similar programs to help more students afford college.
The Big Picture
Harvard’s new financial aid plan will have a lasting impact. It makes the university more accessible to middle-income families who have been left out of similar programs in the past. The plan shows how important it is to remove financial barriers to education. Harvard is leading the way in making top-tier education available to a broader range of students. By doing this, the university ensures that more students have the chance to thrive, no matter their background.