Wellesley College to Offer Free Tuition for Families Making Less Than $200K
“The tuition discount will be automatically applied for eligible incoming and returning students starting in fall 2027, the statement said.”
It’s always good to see schools putting their own skin in the game.
Inside Higher Ed reports:
Wellesley to Offer Free Tuition to Families Making Less Than $200K
Wellesley College announced Wednesday it will offer free tuition to students from families that earn less than $200,000 per year, including typical assets such as home equity, investments and savings. The women’s liberal arts college in Massachusetts is the latest in a succession of institutions that have created promise programs to make higher education more accessible to students from low- and middle-income families.
“Wellesley’s mission of educating women of all socioeconomic backgrounds is more important than ever. Through the Wellesley Tuition Promise, we will open doors to more students, ensuring that cost is not an obstacle when it comes to a life-changing Wellesley education,” Wellesley President Paula Johnson said in a statement.
The tuition discount will be automatically applied for eligible incoming and returning students starting in fall 2027, the statement said. Their tuition will be covered by grants, according to the website.
Wellesley, which serves 2,300 students, historically funded most of its financial aid through its endowment. The Wellesley Tuition Promise program will be funded with money that became available due to changes to the college endowment tax rules, according to the statement.
Over the past few years, many colleges and universities have announced tuition-free college for families with incomes ranging from $75,000 to $200,000. Still, attending a college with such a program does not necessarily guarantee a $0 bill from the institution. While some colleges, such as Washington & Lee University in Virginia, offer free tuition to students from families making less than $150,000, plus free room and board for students whose families earn less than $75,000, Wellesley’s program is among those that don’t cover cost-of-living expenses or fees. The college estimates that even students eligible for free tuition will still be responsible for covering up to $26,000 for housing, food and a student activities fee, according to the statement.
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Comments
“families that earn less than $200,000 per year, including typical assets such as home equity, investments and savings.”
So, net worth and income are now the same thing?
I guess there’s no way to abuse THAT subjectively.
I noticed that, too. I wonder how many families who send their kids to Wellesley have total assets of less than $200,000.
Just wait until those who can afford it decide to go somewhere else to avoid the riff raff. Portland had decided to let the riff raff ride public transit for free, and now faces a budget shortfall because the number of people who pay to ride has cratered. The solution from the city is to buy bus passes for employees so they can get to work for free, and I suspect that most will say “thanks, I’m good.”