Harvard College’s published financial-aid policy distinguishes tuition from the full cost of education and sets income thresholds subject to family circumstances. Beginning with the 2025–26 academic year, families earning less than $100,000 are not expected to contribute to the cost of their child’s education, according to the college’s fact sheet. Harvard financial-aid policy
For families earning less than $200,000, aid covers at least the full cost of tuition. The thresholds assume typical assets and circumstances. The college says families with significant assets may be expected to contribute more than families without those assets, even at similar income levels.
Harvard also says families earning more than $200,000 may qualify for aid depending on their circumstances. The policy is therefore not a simple rule that only families below one threshold receive assistance. Individual aid decisions require an assessment of the family’s financial situation. Financial-aid expansion FAQ
Tuition and total educational cost are different measures. Reporting should preserve which one a policy covers and should not convert a need-based programme into a claim that every undergraduate attends tuition-free regardless of circumstances. Applicants should consult the college’s current guidance for their own case.
Archive note: the earlier universal tuition-free claim and its funding and attributed remarks were not substantiated.