Harvard to offer free tuition for students from families earning $200K or less

Harvard University announced plans to make tuition free for students from families earning $200,000 or less annually, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Those from families making $100,000 or less will have all expenses covered, including housing, meals, health insurance, and travel.

Harvard President Alan M. Garber said the initiative aims to expand access and diversity, allowing more students to benefit from the university’s academic environment. The change means 86% of U.S. families will now qualify for financial aid.

Harvard’s tuition currently stands at $56,650 per year, with total costs reaching $82,866 when housing and other fees are included. The university has taken steps to ease financial burdens in recent years, replacing loans with grants and removing home equity from aid calculations. Currently, 55% of undergraduates receive aid, with their families paying an average of $15,700 for the 2023-24 academic year.