Emory University Announces Tuition-Free Program for Mid-Income Families
ATLANTA — Emory University will implement a significant change to its financial aid structure starting in the fall of 2026, offering tuition-free education for students whose families earn less than 0,000 annually. This initiative, dubbed the Emory Advantage Plus program, was announced by Interim President Leah Ward Sears on Wednesday.
Sears emphasized the university’s commitment to accessibility in education, stating, “Offering free tuition to every student whose family income is 0,000 or less is about leadership. We want great students to come here without regard to the cost. And we will do everything in our power to give them a great education without the burden of crushing debt.”
The Emory Advantage Plus program will provide tuition waivers for both new and returning undergraduate students who meet the specified income criteria. With this initiative, Emory aims to alleviate financial barriers that often deter potential applicants. “When students sit at the kitchen table with their parents to discuss college, I don’t want finances to be a consideration,” Sears noted, reaffirming the institution’s pledge to make college more attainable.
This expansion follows a history of financial aid initiatives at Emory. The original Emory Advantage program was launched in 2007 to assist students from lower-income families. In 2022, the program underwent enhancement when the university replaced need-based loans with institutional grants and scholarships, thus reducing the financial burden on students. Currently, approximately 3,100 students at Emory benefit from this support.
For the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year, the university’s estimated cost of tuition stands at ,540 per semester, totaling ,080 annually. Emory has declared an undergraduate financial aid commitment exceeding billion over the next four years, reflecting its dedication to supporting students financially.
Nick Wandrick, a junior at Emory utilizing a combination of music scholarships and loans, welcomed the new plan, highlighting its potential impact on students’ financial circumstances. “I could allocate some of the scholarship money that I have towards different things like my housing or a meal plan, and obviously, it would mean less debt for me in the future,” Wandrick remarked.
Sears encapsulated the spirit of the initiative, asserting that Emory Advantage Plus represents not merely an expansion of financial aid options, but a broader commitment to creating opportunities and fostering dreams. “The future has never looked brighter, and this is only just the beginning,” she stated.
As higher education institutions increasingly grapple with the rising costs of attendance, Emory University’s strategic shift towards a more inclusive financial model may resonate as a benchmark in efforts to enhance affordability and access in higher education across the United States.
