Harvard University declared that it will now provide free tuition to students whose families earn less than $200,000.
“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,” Harvard President Alan M. Garber said in a statement on Monday.
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“By bringing people of outstanding promise together to learn with and from one another, we truly realize the tremendous potential of the University.”
In addition to tuition reimbursement, the Ivy League university announced that students from families earning $100,000 or less annually will be eligible for free accommodation, food, and health services.
This action was taken, according to the university, to “ensure that admitted students can afford their Harvard education.”
“Our goal is to bring the most promising students to Harvard—period,” the statement read on the school’s website.
“We know that paying for college is a big concern for many families, and we’re committed to making a Harvard education – and the opportunities that come with it – 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 ‘radical.’ 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.”
It also extended “its commitment to provide every admitted undergraduate student the resources they need to enroll and graduate.” The school said the new program will make financial aid available to almost 86% of households in the United States.
Financial help will also be available to students whose families earn more than $200,000 annually.
In addition to housing board and health benefits, the typical Harvard student’s annual tuition is $56,550, or almost $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 College’s 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.”
Since starting the Harvard Financial Help Initiative in 2004, Harvard has given out more than $3.6 billion in undergraduate financial help, the university stated.Â
