Harvard University announced on Monday that students from families earning $200,000 (₹1.66 crore ) or less per year will now get free tuition, expanding its financial aid program, CNBC reported. Harvard leaders say this move is part of their long-term effort to make education more affordable, especially for middle-income families.

Harvard President Alan M. Garber said the goal is to make Harvard more accessible to students from different backgrounds. He added that bringing together talented students from diverse experiences helps them grow intellectually and personally and makes the university even stronger.

This improved financial aid program will begin with the 2025 academic year, making Harvard more affordable for students from middle-income families. With this expansion, around 86% of families in the U.S. will now be eligible for financial aid at Harvard College. This means a majority of students can receive some form of financial support to help cover their education costs.

Currently, Harvard already provides full financial aid, covering tuition, housing, and meals, for students whose families earn ₹70.5 lakh ($85,000) or less per year. With the new policy, even more students from higher income brackets will get significant tuition relief.

What does it mean to expand financial aid

Harvard University has expanded its financial aid program to make education more accessible to students from various financial backgrounds. Starting in the 2025 academic year, students from families earning ₹83 lakh ($100,000) or less per year will have all their expenses covered, including tuition, fees, housing, food, and other costs. 

Those from families earning up to ₹1.66 crore ($200,000) annually will receive free tuition, with additional financial aid available to support other expenses. Even students from families earning above ₹1.66 crore ($200,000) will still be eligible for financial aid, tailored to their specific financial needs. Harvard’s Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Hopi Hoekstra, stated that this initiative reflects the university’s commitment to ensuring that talented students, regardless of their financial background, have the opportunity to pursue higher education.

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