NEW YORK, March 18: Harvard University announced on Monday that, beginning with the 2025-26 academic year, tuition will be free for students from families with annual incomes of $200,000 or less. The initiative is part of the university’s ongoing efforts to make higher education more accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

Harvard University President Alan M. Garber emphasized the importance of this move in a statement, saying, "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. By bringing people of outstanding promise together to learn with and from one another, we truly realize the tremendous potential of the University."

The new financial aid plan is expected to benefit approximately 86% of U.S. families, allowing them to qualify for Harvard’s financial assistance. Garber noted that the university's aim is to ensure that all undergraduates have the necessary resources to enroll and graduate, regardless of their financial situation.

Under the updated plan, undergraduate students from families with annual incomes of $100,000 or less will receive not only free tuition but also coverage for housing, food, health services, and other student services. Additionally, students from families earning up to $200,000 annually will be able to attend Harvard without paying tuition fees.

According to the university, the average annual tuition for an undergraduate at Harvard is $56,550. Including housing, food, health services, and other student services, the total annual cost of attending Harvard is $82,866.

Harvard, which enrolls approximately 24,600 undergraduate students annually, admitted 3.59% of the 54,000 applicants for the Class of 2028. Around 55% of Harvard undergraduates receive some form of financial aid, with families of students receiving aid contributing an average of $15,700 toward education costs for the 2023-2024 school year.

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

The university's previous financial aid plan allowed undergraduate students from families with incomes of $85,000 or less to qualify for free tuition, housing, health services, and other student services. Over the years, Harvard has consistently raised the income threshold to expand eligibility. In 2004, the threshold was set at $40,000; in 2006, it increased to $60,000, and by 2023, it reached $85,000.

Since 2007, Harvard has worked to make higher education more affordable by eliminating loans in favor of grants and no longer considering home equity when determining a family's ability to pay for college. Since launching the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative in 2004, the university has awarded more than $3.6 billion in undergraduate financial aid.

Jake Kaufman, Director of Financial Aid at Harvard, emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting its students. "Our team works closely with each student to ensure full inclusion in the Harvard experience," Kaufman said. "The financial aid program is designed so that Harvard students can study, train, research, create, and fully engage in the Harvard experience with minimal constraints."