Harvard University has announced a major expansion of its financial aid program, making tuition free for undergraduate students from families earning less than $200,000 (approximately PhP11.5 million) annually. Additionally, students from households earning under $100,000 (around PhP5.7 million) will receive full coverage for health insurance, housing, and other expenses.
The initiative will take effect in the 2025-26 academic year, the university said in a statement on Monday. Previously, Harvard provided full tuition coverage only to families earning less than $85,000 (about PhP4.9 million) per year.
The move aims to increase accessibility for middle-income students and ensure that financial constraints do not hinder access to the Ivy League institution. Harvard’s undergraduate tuition, including housing and meals, currently costs over $82,000 (around PhP4.7 million) per year.
This decision comes amid concerns over declining diversity in university admissions following the US Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in 2023. Harvard President Alan Garber emphasized that expanding financial aid will create a more diverse student body, enriching the overall learning experience.
Harvard’s new policy aligns with similar initiatives by other top universities, with the school estimating that approximately 86% of US families will now qualify for financial aid.
