Boston University announced Thursday that it will implement the BU Promise, a financial aid initiative set to take effect this fall. Under the program, students from families with household incomes up to $200,000 and typical assets will have their financial contributions limited to $20,000 annually, with university aid covering tuition, dining, and housing costs beyond that amount.
For families with household incomes up to $75,000, the university will cover all costs associated with attendance. With tuition for the 2026–27 academic year exceeding $73,000 and standard room and board costs approximately $22,000, the initiative represents a significant expansion of financial accessibility. Families earning more than $200,000 remain eligible to apply for financial aid, with the university evaluating individual circumstances such as multiple children in college or residence in high-cost areas.
BU President Melissa Gilliam stated that the initiative addresses affordability and debt burden while supporting student success. The university emphasized the goal of removing financial barriers to enrollment. Vice President and Associate Provost Chris Sedore noted that no family should exclude the institution based on assumptions about cost.
Boston University joins several other selective institutions in implementing a $200,000 income threshold for free tuition, including Yale, Harvard, Rice, and Swarthmore College, as part of a broader trend among higher education institutions to expand affordability programs.
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