Yale University today announced significant enhancements to its financial aid program for undergraduates that will lower costs for future students and their families.
The changes, which will go into effect for new Yale College students entering in the 2026-2027 academic year, eliminate all expected costs for families with typical assets and annual incomes below $100,000 while also ensuring that families with typical assets and annual incomes below $200,000 receive need-based scholarships that meet or exceed the cost of tuition.
"I am thrilled that Yale is making this important investment in affordability," said Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid Jeremiah Quinlan. "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."
Since 2010, Yale has offered financial aid awards known as "zero parent share" awards. They provide eligible families scholarship grants that cover the full cost of all billed expenses - tuition, housing, and the meal plan - as well as estimated travel costs, hospitalization insurance coverage, and a $2,000 start-up grant.
In 2020, Yale raised the income threshold for zero parent share awards from $65,000 to $75,000, making eligible over 15 million American families with school-aged children.
By raising the threshold again, to $100,000, nearly half of all American households with children ages 6-17 would now qualify for a financial aid package that does not require parents to contribute anything towards a student's education. And under the new policy for families with incomes under $200,000, more than 80% of American households would be eligible for a Yale scholarship covering at least the cost of tuition.
