Harvard Expands Free Tuition, Adds Financial Aid

Harvard University announced an expansion of its financial aid program, providing free tuition to students from families earning up to $200,000 annually, beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year. For families earning less than $100,000, Harvard will cover all costs, including tuition, fees, housing, and food, along with additional grants during the students' first and junior years. This initiative aims to increase accessibility and diversity, aligning with similar moves by other elite institutions like MIT and the University of Pennsylvania following the Supreme Court's decision against affirmative action in college admissions. The new policy is expected to enable about 86% of U.S. families to be eligible for some form of financial aid from Harvard. The decision comes amid financial uncertainties and heightened scrutiny from the Trump administration, which has proposed taxing Harvard's endowment and scrutinizing diversity initiatives. Harvard's financial aid budget is notably significant, and the university has also implemented other measures, such as a hiring freeze, to manage financial challenges.