Is Harvard really offering free tuition now or is this a rumor?
I keep seeing posts and articles floating around about Harvard starting to offer free tuition. I know they've been generous with financial aid for a while, but is this something totally new? Or is it just for certain income levels?
I'm a junior and my family's income is kind of in the middle, so I was wondering if these changes would affect me at all. College is a huge expense and we've been worried about paying for it, so anything like free tuition would be amazing. If you've heard anything specific or have links to official information, I'd love to learn more. Is anyone else confused about what Harvard is actually offering for 2025 applicants?
I'm a junior and my family's income is kind of in the middle, so I was wondering if these changes would affect me at all. College is a huge expense and we've been worried about paying for it, so anything like free tuition would be amazing. If you've heard anything specific or have links to official information, I'd love to learn more. Is anyone else confused about what Harvard is actually offering for 2025 applicants?
6 months ago
•
23 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Harvard is not offering universal free tuition for all undergraduates, but they have recently announced some updates to their already strong financial aid program. As of June 2024, Harvard stated that they will provide free tuition (and cover room and board) for students whose household incomes are $85,000 or less per year. Previously, this threshold was $75,000. This means that students from households with incomes at or below $85,000 will have their tuition, room, and board fully covered by grants and scholarships; no loans are required.
If your family's income falls above $85,000, Harvard uses a sliding scale. Families making between roughly $85,000 and $150,000 can expect to pay between zero and ten percent of their annual income. The specifics depend on your family's unique financial situation, including assets and other factors beyond raw income. Middle-income families often find that the expected cost is much less than the full sticker price. For example, a family with a combined income of $120,000 and normal assets might pay $8,000-$12,000 per year, which is significantly lower than the published cost.
So, while there isn't a blanket free tuition rule for every applicant, Harvard’s expanded aid could definitely make it more accessible for many students, especially if your family is on the lower or middle end of the income spectrum. You can use Harvard’s Net Price Calculator to get a personalized estimate: https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/net-price-calculator
It's easy to see why there is some confusion, as headlines and social media often oversimplify or misstate changes like this. But the main takeaway is that only households at or below $85,000 qualify for totally free tuition and room/board, and the aid becomes less generous as income rises but is still significant for many middle-class families.
To stay up to date, check Harvard’s official financial aid page: https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/how-aid-works
Let your family know that every year, Harvard's aid policies are designed so that exceptionally qualified students are not turned away because of costs. If you are considering Harvard, financial aid should not be a barrier—definitely apply for aid if you decide to apply!
If your family's income falls above $85,000, Harvard uses a sliding scale. Families making between roughly $85,000 and $150,000 can expect to pay between zero and ten percent of their annual income. The specifics depend on your family's unique financial situation, including assets and other factors beyond raw income. Middle-income families often find that the expected cost is much less than the full sticker price. For example, a family with a combined income of $120,000 and normal assets might pay $8,000-$12,000 per year, which is significantly lower than the published cost.
So, while there isn't a blanket free tuition rule for every applicant, Harvard’s expanded aid could definitely make it more accessible for many students, especially if your family is on the lower or middle end of the income spectrum. You can use Harvard’s Net Price Calculator to get a personalized estimate: https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/net-price-calculator
It's easy to see why there is some confusion, as headlines and social media often oversimplify or misstate changes like this. But the main takeaway is that only households at or below $85,000 qualify for totally free tuition and room/board, and the aid becomes less generous as income rises but is still significant for many middle-class families.
To stay up to date, check Harvard’s official financial aid page: https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/how-aid-works
Let your family know that every year, Harvard's aid policies are designed so that exceptionally qualified students are not turned away because of costs. If you are considering Harvard, financial aid should not be a barrier—definitely apply for aid if you decide to apply!
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years