Harvard University has announced a significant expansion of its financial aid program, making tuition free for families earning less than $200,000 (Sh25.89 million) per year. Additionally, families with incomes below $100,000 (Sh12.95 million) will have their housing and health insurance expenses fully covered. This initiative, set to begin in the 2025–2026 academic year, aims to make higher education more accessible to middle-income families.
Harvard President Alan Garber emphasized that the decision would create a more inclusive learning environment, stating, “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.” The move aligns with Harvard’s long-standing commitment to increasing affordability and ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent talented students from attending the prestigious institution.
With this policy, approximately 86% of American families will qualify for Harvard’s financial aid. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in the U.S. was $80,000 (Sh10.36 million) in 2023, making a Harvard education financially feasible for a large segment of the population. Harvard had previously offered full financial support including tuition, housing, and medical costs to families earning less than $85,000 (Sh11 million) per year.
Harvard is not alone in this approach. Other top-tier universities, including the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have also introduced free tuition for families earning under $200,000. The rising cost of higher education in the U.S., which has more than doubled since 2001, has made such initiatives crucial for maintaining access to elite institutions. The average cost of attending a private university in the U.S. currently stands at $58,000 (Sh7.5 million) per academic year, according to the Education Data Initiative.
Harvard’s decision comes amid increasing scrutiny from the Trump administration, which has threatened to withdraw funding from universities over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The Department of Education is investigating several universities for alleged racial biases in admissions and programs, while Columbia University has already lost $400 million in grants over allegations related to antisemitism on campus.
This expansion of financial aid signals Harvard’s commitment to ensuring that its education remains within reach for a diverse and talented pool of students, regardless of their economic background.
