By Stephanie Price
Harvard University announcedĀ it will now offer free tuition to students whose families make $200,000 or less per year.
“Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals widens the array of backgrounds, experiences,Ā andĀ perspectives that all of our students encounter, fostering their intellectualĀ andĀ personal growth,” Harvard President Alan M. Garber said in a statement on Monday.
“By bringing people of outstandingĀ promise together to learnĀ withĀ and from one another, we truly realize the tremendous potential of the University.”
“Our goal is to bring the most promising students to Harvardāperiod,” the statement read on the school’s website.
“We know that paying for college is a big concern for many families, and weāre committed to making a Harvard education ā and the opportunities that come with it ā possible for more students than ever.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., commented on the announcement and said more schools need to follow Harvard’s move.”10 years ago, when I introduced a bill to make public colleges & universities tuition-free, it was called āradical.ā Not today. Over 100 colleges & universities now offer free tuition to working-class students,” Sanders wrote in a post on X.
“Now, we must expand that idea to all public colleges & universities.”
The expanded program would allow approximately 86% of families in the United States to qualify for Harvard Collegeās financial aid, the school announced, adding that it extended “its commitment to provide every admitted undergraduate student the resources they need to enroll and graduate.”
Additionally, students from families with incomes of more than $200,000 per year will also qualify for financial aid.
The average annual tuition for a Harvard student is $56,550, but with room, board and health services it comes out to about $83,000.
“We know the most talented students come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and experiences, from every state and around the globe,” said William R. Fitzsimmons, Harvard Collegeās Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. “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.”
Harvard added that it has awarded more than $3.6 billionāÆin undergraduate financial aid since launching the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative in 2004.