However, he mentioned the value of bringing together people's cross-sections.
“By bringing Harvard financially for more individuals, we broaden the array of background, experiences and perspectives that all students encounter, driving intellectual and personal growth,” Dr. Gerber said in the presentation. “By learning from one another and learning from one another together with outstanding promises, we truly realize the incredible potential of university.”
The annual cost of attending Harvard University, including tuition and housing, was nearly $83,000 this year. In addition to providing free tuition to students with family income, Harvard said students in families under $100,000 pay virtually nothing.
For these students, Harvard covers tuition, fees, food, housing, travel expenses between campus and home, event fees and activities, and health insurance where necessary. The university will also pay for “winter gear,” help students through the harsh winters at Harvard Cambridge on campus, and support a $2,000 “startup” grant.
In addition to tuition fees, students from families, which make up to $200,000, are eligible for additional financial aid depending on the situation, according to the Harvard announcement. The university also said that some students in families earning more than $200,000 are eligible for some kind of financial aid, depending on the family situation.
Harvard spent $275 million on financial aid this year, but there was no estimate of the cost of the new plan. More than half of Harvard undergraduates received financial assistance, the school said.
