Yale University made significant expansions to its undergraduate financial aid program that will make tuition free for students from families with annual incomes below $200,000, according to Yale News.
Beginning with students entering the university in the 2026-2027 academic year, families earning less than $200,000 will receive need-based scholarships that cover the full cost of tuition. Full cost waivers were limited to families earning below $75,000 under the “zero parent share” awards previously.
Students from families with annual incomes below $100,000 will have all expected costs of attendance waived — including tuition, housing, meals, and fees — under the expanded policy.
Jeremiah Quinlan, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid, said, ”I am thrilled that Yale is making this important investment in affordability.” This investment broadens access and is projected to benefit larger portions of applicants from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
“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,” Dean Quinlan added.
Yale University’s expanded policy follows similar initiatives to enhance affordability at other institutions like Harvard University, Princeton University, and the University of Pennsylvania. “This strategic investment is central to our mission to educate exceptional students from all backgrounds,” said Provost Scott Strobel.
According to the director of undergraduate financial aid, Kari DiFonzo, more than a thousand Yale College students receive a zero parent share award while 56% of students benefit from their need-based financial aid.
In their estimate, raising the threshold to students from families earning less than $100,000 means nearly half of American households with children aged between 6-17 would qualify for no cost attendance at the university.
