Yale announced that, starting this fall, incoming undergraduates from families earning under $200,000 will receive free tuition, while families earning under $100,000 will have all education-related costs covered. The move raises Yale’s previous full-support cutoff from $75,000 and could make nearly half of U.S. households with children ages 6–17 eligible for full coverage. Yale noted that 56% of students receive need-based aid and that total undergraduate cost of attendance exceeds $90,000 per year.
Yale Expands Financial Aid — Free Tuition for Families Earning Under $200K; Full Costs Covered Under $100K
Yale to offer free tuition to families making less than $200K, waive all expenses for those making under $100K
Yale University announced Tuesday that, beginning this fall, incoming undergraduate students from families with annual incomes below $200,000 will receive free tuition. Families earning under $100,000 will have all education-related costs — including housing, meals and fees — fully covered.
What the Change Means
Yale University announced on Tuesday that new undergraduate students from families making under $200,000 a year would receive free tuition.(Getty Images)
This policy raises Yale’s prior threshold for covering all expected costs (previously set at $75,000) and substantially expands access to no-cost attendance. Yale estimates that the new $100,000 cutoff could make nearly half of American households with children ages 6–17 eligible for full coverage of education expenses.
University Statements
Yale's announcement comes after several prestigious universities made similar moves in recent years.
“This strategic investment is central to our mission to educate exceptional students from all backgrounds,” said Provost Scott Strobel. “The benefits are evident as these talented students enrich the Yale campus and go on to serve their communities after graduation.”
Jeremiah Quinlan, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid, added: “With this announcement, we reiterate and reinforce Yale’s commitment to ensuring that cost will never be a barrier between promising students and a Yale College education.”
Context and Other Support
The announcement follows similar moves at several peer institutions, including Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and MIT. As of now, 56% of Yale undergraduates receive need-based aid and roughly 1,000 students already qualify for a no-cost degree. Yale reports that the average grant for students receiving aid this academic year exceeds the annual cost of tuition.
Yale said the average grant for all students receiving aid in the current academic year is more than the annual cost of tuition.
Kari DiFonzo, Yale’s Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid, noted that Yale provides targeted support beyond tuition and housing — including additional grants for winter clothing, funded summer experiences abroad, and emergency assistance for unexpected hardships.
Cost of Attendance and History
Yale also highlighted that the total undergraduate cost of attendance now exceeds $90,000 per year. Pericles Lewis, Dean of Yale College, emphasized the institution’s long-standing policy of need-blind admissions: “For more than 60 years, Yale has considered applicants without regard to their ability to pay and has provided scholarship support to meet families’ full financial needs.”
Who Should Pay Attention
Prospective students and families planning undergraduate enrollment this fall should review Yale’s financial aid pages and contact the admissions or financial aid office for specific eligibility details, required documentation and timelines. The policy change affects incoming students starting this academic year; continuing students should consult Yale for details about renewal and eligibility.
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