Breaking News: Harvard Offers Free Tuition and Living Expenses for Families Earning Under $200,000!

Hello everyone, TJ here from Alpha!

"Top tier universities are too expensive to attend..."

That common belief is about to change dramatically.

Harvard University has announced that starting fall 2025, they will completely waive tuition for students from families earning less than $200,000 annually. This means approximately 86% of American families will qualify for tuition-free education, opening doors for students who previously couldn't consider prestigious universities due to financial constraints.

Source: Los Angeles magazine "Harvard Expands Free Tuition Program to Families Making $200,000 or Less"
https://lamag.com/news/harvard-expands-free-tuition-program-to-families-making-200000-or-less

Additionally, other elite institutions like MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and the University of Pennsylvania are following suit by expanding their tuition exemption programs. We're entering an era where "the financial barrier to attending top universities is being dismantled."

In this article, I'll introduce global universities with exceptional tuition exemption and scholarship programs and explain how to realize your study abroad dreams without financial worries.

If you've been thinking, "I want to apply to universities abroad, but tuition costs are holding me back..." now is your chance to make that dream a reality!

Scholarship Fundamentals: Understanding Tuition Exemption Systems at Global Universities

Top universities worldwide have established diverse scholarship programs to ensure talented students can study without financial concerns. In particular, prestigious American universities offer generous support, often covering not just tuition but also dormitory fees, meal plans, health insurance, and other living expenses.

Here, I'll explain the three main scholarship types: "Need-Blind," "Full-Need," and "Merit-Based".

1. Need-Blind Admissions

What is Need-Blind Admission?

"Need-Blind" refers to an admissions process where applicants' financial situations are not considered during evaluation. This means there is absolutely no concern about "being less likely to be accepted due to low family income."

Universities that adopt this policy make admissions decisions purely based on academic ability, talent, and personal qualities, allowing them to accept outstanding students from around the world regardless of economic circumstances.

Major Universities with Need-Blind Policies

• Harvard University
• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
• Stanford University
• Yale University
• Princeton University
• Columbia University, and others

Important note: Some universities apply Need-Blind policies only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, not to international students (examples: Columbia University and Stanford University).

2. Full-Need (Complete Financial Support)

What is Full-Need?

"Full-Need" is a system where universities provide grant-based scholarships covering the entire "necessary tuition and living expenses" as determined by the institution.

After admission, the university evaluates the family's financial situation and if they determine "this student needs $XX,XXX," the university covers that entire amount.

What Full-Need Support Covers

• Tuition fees
• Housing costs
• Meal plans
• Health insurance
• Textbooks, etc.

A key point is that the grant amount is determined based on family financial circumstances, making it possible to study abroad with "zero personal contribution."

Major Universities Offering Full-Need Support

Many overlap with Need-Blind institutions, but the following universities provide "Full-Need" scholarships to all admitted students:
- Harvard University
- MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
- Stanford University
- Princeton University
- Columbia University
- Yale University, and others

Important note: Each university has different thresholds for "tuition-free education for families earning below $XX,XXX," so it's important to check the specific amounts for each institution.

3. Merit-Based Scholarships

What is a Merit-Based Scholarship?

"Merit-Based Scholarships" are financial awards given based on outstanding achievements in academics, sports, leadership, artistic talent, and other accomplishments.

Unlike Need-Blind and Full-Need programs which are based on "family financial circumstances," Merit-Based Scholarships are determined by "student abilities and achievements," which is the major difference.

Characteristics of Merit-Based Scholarships

• Can cover tuition and living expenses
• Available for excellence in sports, music, art, leadership, and other fields
• Accessible regardless of financial situation
• Offered by universities themselves, as well as corporations and government agencies

Universities Offering Merit-Based Scholarships

• Duke University
• Northwestern University
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• Johns Hopkins University, and others

While top private universities like the Ivy League schools primarily focus on "Need-Based" scholarship systems, public universities and some private institutions also offer excellent "Merit-Based Scholarships."

At prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT, more families with incomes under $200,000 can now receive tuition exemptions through "Need-Blind & Full-Need" systems.

Additionally, utilizing Merit-Based Scholarships based on academic performance and talent can expand your options even further.

The belief that "international universities are impossible because of high tuition" is now outdated!

With scholarships, anyone has the opportunity to receive a world-class education.

"I want to know which scholarship system fits me!" "Which university should I apply to?"

If you have such questions, take your first step toward studying at a global university by utilizing Alpha Advisors' personalized support!

List of Need-Based Scholarship Programs at Leading Universities

Below is an overview of Need-Based scholarship programs at top American private universities (Ivy League + MIT & Stanford).

Harvard University

• Family income $200,000 or less: Full coverage of tuition, room and board, and all attendance costs
• Family income between $85,000-$150,000: Expected contribution is 0-10% of income
• Family income $85,000 or less: University covers all expenses including tuition, room and board, and health insurance
• Need-Blind & Full-Need (financial situation not considered during admissions, full financial support provided)
• Need-Blind policy applies to international students

Yale University

• Family income $75,000 or less: Complete exemption of tuition, room and board, health insurance, and travel expenses
• Family income $150,000 or less: Support close to zero tuition payment
• Need-Blind & Full-Need
• Need-Blind policy applies to international students

Princeton University

• Family income $100,000 or less: Full coverage of tuition, housing, books, and living expenses
• Family income $150,000 or less: Substantial tuition exemption
• No-Loan Policy
• Need-Blind & Full-Need
• Need-Blind policy applies to international students

Columbia University

• Family income $66,000 or less: Zero tuition cost
• Family income $150,000 or less: Most or all tuition exempted
• No-Loan Policy
• Need-Aware (financial situation considered during admissions, but 100% support if accepted)

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

• Family income $65,000 or less: Full exemption of tuition, room and board, and all fees
• Family income $140,000 or less: Most or all tuition exempted
• No-Loan Policy
• Need-Aware

Dartmouth College

• Family income $125,000 or less: Full tuition exemption
• Family income $65,000 or less: Full exemption of tuition, room and board
• No-Loan Policy
• Need-Blind (applies to international students since 2022)

Cornell University

• Family income $60,000 or less: Zero tuition cost
• Need-Aware

Brown University

• Family income $60,000 or less: Full exemption of tuition, room and board
• Family income $125,000 or less: Full tuition exemption
• No-Loan Policy
• Planning to apply Need-Blind to international students from 2025

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

• Family income $140,000 or less: Full tuition exemption
• Need-Blind & Full-Need
• Need-Blind policy applies to international students

Stanford University

• Family income $100,000 or less: Full exemption of tuition, room and board
• Family income $150,000 or less: Full tuition exemption
• No-Loan Policy
• Need-Aware

Based on the information above, America's top universities often waive tuition for families with annual incomes under $150,000, providing generous support not only to low-income households but also to middle-income families.

Particularly, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and MIT have adopted "Need-Blind & Full-Need" policies, making it possible for students, including international applicants, to apply without worrying about their financial situation.

If you've been thinking, "I gave up on international universities because of tuition concerns..." by utilizing these scholarship programs, you have the opportunity to receive a world-class education essentially for free!

No Need to Worry About Costs! Take on the Challenge of Global Elite Universities Using Tuition Exemptions

"International universities are impossible because tuition is too expensive..."

Are you limiting your possibilities because of such assumptions?

In reality, world-class universities like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford have systems in place that completely exempt tuition for families with annual incomes under $150,000. Furthermore, Harvard and Princeton have expanded their scholarship programs to significantly reduce the financial burden for families with incomes under $200,000.

Additionally, at universities like Yale and the University of Pennsylvania, costs for dormitories, meals, health insurance, and educational materials are often covered, making "zero out-of-pocket expenses" study abroad not just a dream but a reality.

"Only the wealthy can attend international universities" is now a thing of the past.

In today's world, there's no need to give up on top universities because of financial barriers.

However, without a proper understanding of scholarship applications, university selection, and application strategies, you might miss out on these opportunities.

If you have questions like "Which university is right for me?" or "How can I secure scholarships?", seeking professional support is your best option.

Alpha Advisors International University Support

Over the past 17 years, Alpha Advisors has helped more than 50,000 students gain admission to world-leading business schools like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and INSEAD, as well as prestigious universities including Oxford, Yale, and Columbia.

Currently, we offer "Alpha Personalized Guidance" and "Alpha Intensive Training" for students aspiring to study at international universities, providing comprehensive support from application strategy to essays, recommendation letters, interview preparation, and scholarship acquisition.

For university students, we provide "International Graduate School Admission," "Exchange Program and Transfer Support," and other services focusing on long-term career strategies.

Through Alpha's unique admission expertise and thorough individualized guidance, we will lead you to international university success via the shortest possible route!

If you're serious about studying at an international university, start with our "Study Abroad Strategy Advisory" (priced at $320, discounts available), where you can discuss your future study abroad strategy with our representative TJ (former Sumitomo Corporation → University of Chicago MBA → Goldman Sachs Investment Banking Division) and develop a concrete action plan.

We are fully committed to supporting your successful study abroad experience and global career development!