Harvard University has announced a significant expansion of its financial aid programme, offering free tuition to students from families earning $200,000 or less per year.
The initiative, set to take effect from the 2025-26 academic year, aims to enhance access to the Ivy League institution for a broader spectrum of students.
The university, which boasts an endowment exceeding $53 billion, has long provided financial aid to students from lower-income backgrounds. Previously, only families earning under $85,000 annually qualified for full tuition coverage. Under the revised policy, students from families with incomes below $100,000 will also be eligible for additional financial support.
The aid package will cover not only tuition fees but also expenses such as housing, meals, health insurance, and travel costs, significantly reducing the financial burden on middle-income families.
Harvard President Alan Garber hailed the initiative as a step towards greater inclusivity, stating that the policy would "make a Harvard College education possible for every admitted student." Harvard’s Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Hopi Hoekstra, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the expansion underscores the university’s commitment to admitting students based on merit rather than financial standing.
The cost of attending Harvard remains substantial, with tuition for the 2024-25 academic year set at $56,550. When factoring in additional living expenses, the total cost exceeds $80,000 annually.
Harvard is not alone in expanding financial aid for middle-income families. Other leading US institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Texas, and Dartmouth College, have introduced similar policies aimed at widening access.
Despite such efforts, concerns persist regarding the socio-economic makeup of elite universities. Data from Harvard’s Opportunity Insights initiative indicate that nearly 40% of Harvard students hail from families in the top 5% income bracket, whereas fewer than 5% come from the bottom 20%.
