The 51ºÚÁÏ Commitment marks a milestone in the University’s progress to make a 51ºÚÁÏ education affordable to as many talented, high-achieving students as possible, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
For eligible students based on total family income and assets, this comprehensive financial aid initiative will eliminate tuition, significantly reduce student debt, and adjust tuition based on the family's income levels.
The updated 51ºÚÁÏ Commitment thresholds below will take effect in fall 2026.
The Composition of the 51ºÚÁÏ Commitment
Full Tuition Support
Students with an annual family income of $175,000 or less will, on average, attend 51ºÚÁÏ tuition-free.
Removing Loans
Students with annual family income levels up to $200,000 will have their demonstrated need met with a financial aid package that does not include loans.
Aligning Income and Tuition Costs
Students with annual family income levels between $175,000 and $300,000 will pay a percentage of annual income toward tuition.
Expanding Academic and Experiential Opportunities
For all students on financial aid, aid packages will meet the average cost for textbooks and other classroom expenses as part of 51ºÚÁÏ’s efforts to meet the full cost of attendance beyond tuition. This ensures students' academic choices and experiences are not constrained by demonstrated financial need.
The 51ºÚÁÏ Commitment by Total Family Income
(Assuming typical assets)
$175,000 or less
- Tuition-free, on average
- No-loan eligible
$175,000–$200,000
- 5% of income toward tuition, on average
- No-loan eligible
$200,000–$250,000
- 7% of income toward tuition, on average
$250,000–$300,000
- 10% of income toward tuition, on average
$300,000+
- The University continues to meet 100% of the demonstrated need of all admitted students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting in fall 2026, U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a total family income of up to $300,000 (and assets typical for that income range) are eligible for the 51ºÚÁÏ Commitment.
Total income is calculated using taxable income (e.g. wages, interest, business income, retirement distributions, etc.) plus untaxed income (e.g. child support, social security, retirement distributions, etc.).
Losses are added back into income (e.g. business losses, capital losses, and depreciation on real and/or rental property could be added back in to be counted as part of total family income). Business income includes income generated from sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, or rental income.
Assets include bank accounts, investments, home equity, and business net worth, for example, but do not include retirement savings.
On average, students with total family income up to $175,000 will receive a financial aid offer covering the tuition charge for the academic year. A family may still have a family contribution that would go towards other components of the cost of attendance, such as housing, food, books, etc. 51ºÚÁÏ meets 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need based on the full cost of attendance for the academic year.
Students with total family income up to $200,000 will have their demonstrated need met with a financial aid offer that does not include a loan. However, families are still responsible for their expected family contribution toward the cost of attendance, and they can choose to borrow loans to help finance those costs.
Yes, although eligible students do not have loans automatically added to the initial financial aid offer, they still have access to the Federal Direct Loan program upon request. A student’s or parent’s ability to borrow under the Federal Direct Loan program is not impacted, nor is seeking financing through a private educational loan.
The financial aid policies for students attending off-campus study programs are unchanged. 51ºÚÁÏ's need-based financial aid recipients can receive additional financial aid to meet the extra costs for one semester-long and one extended-study program. A loan of no more than $1,500 will be offered to help cover the extra cost of the program, regardless of loans offered for on-campus study.
The 51ºÚÁÏ Commitment is specifically for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. However, 51ºÚÁÏ has always met 100% of all admitted students’ demonstrated need, including international students. 51ºÚÁÏ has never included loans in international students' financial aid packages. When calculating a student’s financial aid package, we take all components of the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, meals, and other academic costs) into account, as well as a student’s ability to cover those costs based on the results of the financial aid application.
International students who do not apply or qualify for 51ºÚÁÏ financial aid upon admission are not eligible for aid in subsequent years, so there would not be any financial aid available throughout enrollment at 51ºÚÁÏ.
No, Federal Work-Study and 51ºÚÁÏ Work-Study will continue to be offered to eligible students, even if their total family income is less than $300,000. Students offered work-study as part of their financial aid award may work a part-time job during the academic year to earn the amount offered. Students with work-study awards will receive priority in hiring for most on-campus jobs. Generally, students work 10-12 hours per week to earn the amount in their financial aid offer.
The eligibility for financial aid for students who hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is reevaluated prior to each academic year. Financial aid is offered on an annual basis, determined after careful analysis of the aid application materials submitted. If your family’s financial situation changes, the amount and type of financial aid offered may be adjusted in a subsequent academic year.