Yale University is expanding its financial aid program to cover the full cost of attendance for undergraduate students from families earning less than $100,000 per year. Families with incomes below $200,000 will also receive scholarships that meet or exceed tuition. The new policy applies to students enrolling in Yale College for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The “zero parent share” awards, first introduced in 2010, cover tuition, housing, meals, travel, insurance, and a $2,000 start-up grant for eligible families. The income threshold has risen over time, from $65,000 to $75,000 in 2020, and now to $100,000. Nearly half of American households with school-aged children may now qualify for full cost coverage, while more than 80% of families earning less than $200,000 would be eligible for tuition scholarships.
The initiative aligns Yale with other leading universities, including Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania, that have recently expanded financial aid to widen access and support socioeconomic diversity. The policy also aims to simplify the college planning process for families while preserving Yale’s tradition of admitting students irrespective of financial background.
