Yale University has announced major changes to its financial aid program that will make college more affordable for thousands of families around the world.
Starting with students joining Yale College in the 2026–2027 academic year, families with annual incomes below $100,000 and typical assets will pay nothing at all for their child’s education. This means Yale will cover tuition, housing, meals, and other basic costs.
In addition, families earning less than $200,000 a year will receive need-based scholarships that cover at least the full cost of tuition, significantly reducing the overall cost of attending the Ivy League university.
Yale’s Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid, Jeremiah Quinlan, said the changes are aimed at ensuring money does not stand in the way of talented students.
“Cost should never be a barrier between promising students and a Yale education,” Quinlan said.
Yale has offered strong financial aid for years. Since 2010, it has provided “zero parent share” awards, which fully cover all billed expenses for eligible families. In the past, this support was limited to families earning up to $75,000 a year. The new policy raises that limit to $100,000.
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With the change, nearly half of all American families with school-age children could qualify for a full financial aid package that requires no parental contribution. More than 80 percent of U.S. households would be eligible for scholarships covering tuition under the $200,000 income cap.
According to Kari DiFonzo, Yale’s director of undergraduate financial aid, more than 1,000 students currently receive full-support awards, and 56 percent of undergraduates qualify for need-based aid. She added that Yale also provides extra grants for winter clothing, study abroad programs, and unexpected financial emergencies.
Yale says the new policy will also make it easier for families to understand costs. The university recently launched online tools that quickly estimate how much a student would pay, helping families plan ahead.
Dean of Yale College Pericles Lewis said the university has long admitted students without considering their ability to pay.
“This approach has helped Yale attract some of the most talented students from all backgrounds,” he said.
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