Harvard Announces Free Education For These Students: Check Out The New Rule – News18

Last Updated:March 18, 2025, 10:29 IST

Harvard University will offer free education to students from families earning $100,000 or less annually, starting in 2025-26.

Harvard University has announced a major expansion of its financial aid programme, making college more affordable for a broader range of students. The university will now offer free education to students from families earning $100,000 or less annually, covering all expenses including tuition, housing, food, health insurance, and travel costs starting the 2025-26 academic year.

In addition, students from families earning up to $200,000 will receive free tuition, with additional aid provided to cover other expenses based on individual financial circumstances. This new initiative aims to ensure that a Harvard education is accessible to even more students, particularly from middle-income families. The university estimates that approximately 86% of U.S. families will now qualify for financial assistance, as reported by The Harvard Gazette.

Announcing the expansion of the financial aid programme Harvard University President Alan M Garber said, “Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals widens the array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that all of our students encounter, fostering their intellectual and personal growth.”

Under the new policy, students from families earning $100,000 or less will also receive a $2,000 start-up grant in their first year and a $2,000 launch grant during their junior year to help with the transition beyond Harvard. This initiative will further help students pursue their academic passions and career goals without the burden of financial constraints.

The move is part of Harvard’s ongoing efforts to make higher education accessible to students from all backgrounds, continuing the university’s focus on fostering intellectual growth and diversity within its student body.

The expansion builds on Harvard’s long-standing commitment to financial aid, which has been evolving since the launch of the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative in 2004. The programme was initially designed to cover tuition, food, and housing for students from families with incomes of $40,000 or less. Since then, the eligibility thresholds have steadily increased, ensuring more families can afford a Harvard education.

“We know the most talented students come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and experiences, from every state and around the globe,” said William R. Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Harvard. “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.”

Since the inception of its financial aid initiative, Harvard has awarded more than $3.6 billion in undergraduate aid. The university’s financial aid budget for the 2025-26 academic year is projected to be $275 million, with 55% of undergraduates currently receiving aid.