From Harvard To MIT, List Of Universities In The US Offering Free Education – News18

Last Updated:March 27, 2025, 13:08 IST

Several American colleges offer free education to qualified students through tuition fees, work-study opportunities, or complete scholarships

Many students from all over the world have long dreamed of attending college in the United States. The United States provides access to a wide range of professional options and is well-known for its esteemed universities, varied academic offerings, and vibrant campus culture. However, students are frequently discouraged from applying due to the high cost of studying in the United States.

Due to the high cost of tuition, living expenses, and other expenses, many prospective students look for other options. Several American colleges offer free education to qualified students through tuition fees, work-study opportunities, or complete scholarships.

This article examines which American institutions provide free education and how students might take advantage of these changes.

Universities Offering Free Education: Who Can Apply?

Harvard University has extended its financial aid program to include free education for students from households making less than $200,000 per year, in keeping with other prestigious universities. Previously, only families earning up to $85,000 annually were eligible for this benefit.

In addition to Harvard, other educational institutions that have implemented tuition-free or heavily subsidised programmes include the University of Texas System, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the University of Pennsylvania.

These colleges offer financial assistance through grants and scholarships rather than student loans. Eligibility requirements vary in each institution and are mostly determined by family assets and income. In order to make it easier for middle-class families to be eligible for financial aid, several institutions do not count home equity as part of a family’s assets.

At the moment, qualifying students can attend more than 100 public and private universities in the US for free.

The income barrier for admission to MIT and the University of Pennsylvania was recently increased to $200,000. Meanwhile, students from households making up to $75,000 a year can now attend Brandeis University and Carnegie Mellon University for free. Similar financial aid schemes are also offered by organisations such as the University of Massachusetts (UMass) System, Brandeis University, and the University of Texas System.

How To Apply?

The first step for students who want to attend school for free is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additional paperwork or pre-enrollment in particular financial aid programs may be required by certain states and institutions. Undocumented students can also get financial aid from several universities, though eligibility varies by school and state regulations.