Harvard University has announced upgrades to its financial aid that will allow middle-low-income families to receive more support.
The expansion will allow families who earn US$200,000 or under to attend the university tuition-free starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
“We know the most talented students come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and experiences, from every state and around the globe,” William R. Fitzsimmons, Harvard College’s dean of admissions and financial aid said.
“Our financial aid is critical to ensuring that these students know Harvard College is a place where they can be part of a vibrant learning community strengthened by their presence and participation.”
According to the Harvard website, the annual tuition for an undergraduate is $56,550 and grows to $82,866 when additional costs like food, housing and health services are included.
Students whose family income is lower than $100,000 will receive free tuition with all billed expenses like food, housing, health insurance and travel costs included. They will also receive a $2,000 start-up grant in their first year and an additional $2,000 launch grant in their junior year.
For those whose families earn less than $200,000, they will receive free tuition and additional financial cover for billed expenses depending on financial circumstances.
“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,” Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Hopi Hoekstra said.
This builds upon Havard’s already existing Havard Financial Aid Initiative which has awarded more than $3.6 billion in financial support since it started in 2004.
The initiative covered food, tuition, and housing for students whose families earned $40,000 or less and has increased four times.
The university’s budget for financial aid in the 2025-26 academic year is $275 million and according to Havard, around 55% of undergraduates currently receive financial aid.
With the expansion, it is estimated around 86% of U.S. families will qualify for Havard College’s financial aid.
