Starting in fall 2026, Emory University will offer tuition-free education to students from families earning $200,000 or less through the Emory Advantage Plus scholarship.
This major expansion of the university’s financial aid program underscores Emory’s commitment to making an elite education accessible to talented students.
All new and returning domestic undergraduate students who meet the income threshold and qualify for need-based aid will be eligible for Emory Advantage Plus.
Emory President: Tuition-Free Education About ‘Breaking Barriers’
The university will also continue to cover 100% of demonstrated financial need for all domestic undergraduates.
“This tuition-free initiative for families earning $200,000 or less is about breaking barriers,” says Interim President Leah Ward Sears. “We want exceptional students to choose Emory without worrying about costs, and we’re committed to ensuring they graduate without overwhelming debt.
“When students and their families discuss college options, I want affordability to be a non-issue,” Sears adds. “If they’re admitted to Emory and want to attend, we’ll make it financially possible.”
Other Universities’ Aid Programs: Tuition-Free and No-Loan Initiatives
In addition to Emory University’s Emory Advantage Plus program—offering tuition-free attendance starting fall 2026 for domestic undergraduates from families earning $200,000 or less—several other U.S. institutions have implemented or expanded similar financial aid initiatives.
These programs aim to make elite education accessible by eliminating tuition costs or student loans for low- and middle-income families, often meeting 100% of demonstrated need through grants and scholarships.
Below is a selection of notable examples, focusing on programs with income thresholds comparable to Emory’s. Eligibility typically requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, need-based aid qualification, and standard assets; details can vary by family size and other factors.
Programs Offering Free Tuition for Families Earning Up to $15,000 or Similar
These initiatives directly waive tuition (and sometimes more) for broad middle-income brackets:
These provide tuition-free or no-loan aid but at more modest income levels, often serving as models for expansions:
• Vanderbilt University (Opportunity Vanderbilt): Full-tuition scholarships without loans for families under $150,000. Ongoing program focused on eliminating debt barriers.
• Dartmouth College: No parent contribution or loans for families under $125,000 (with typical assets); full tuition coverage possible. Part of the Zero Parent Contribution Initiative.
• University of Texas System (Promise Plus): Free tuition and fees at nine institutions for Texas undergrads from families earning $100,000 or less. Expanded fall 2025; $35M funding.
• Carnegie Mellon University (CMU Pathway Program): Tuition-free for under $75,000; no federal loans for under $100,000. Fall 2025 launch for U.S. citizens/permanent residents.
• State University of New York (SUNY): Tuition-free for New York residents from families earning $125,000 or less. Covers all 64 campuses.
• University of Wisconsin System: Tuition waiver for state residents from families under $55,000 (recently expanded). Applies to most UW campuses.
Broader Trends and No-Loan Policies
Many schools, like Duke University (full ride for North/South Carolina residents under $150,000, loan-free under $65,000) and Princeton University (no-loan for all, full need met), don’t tie tuition waivers directly to a $200k cap but offer generous no-loan packages that can result in effectively free attendance for qualifying students. Programs like QuestBridge provide full rides (tuition, housing, etc.) at 40+ partner schools for high-achievers from households under $65,000. Public systems (e.g., University of Massachusetts campuses) are increasingly tuition-free for in-state students under $75,000 starting fall 2025.
Emory Expands Advantage Plus Plan
Since its inception in 2007, the Emory Advantage program has supported students from lower-income families. In fall 2022, Emory enhanced the program by replacing need-based loans with institutional grants and scholarships in undergraduate financial aid packages.
Emory Advantage Plus furthers the university’s commitment to removing financial barriers, offering zero-tuition undergraduate degrees to students from families earning $200,000 or less.
“Emory Advantage Plus expands opportunity, dreams, and possibilities at Emory,” says Sears. “We’re opening doors wider for brilliant, deserving students to call Emory and Georgia home. The future is bright, and this is just the start.”
For Georgia residents, the full-tuition award complements the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships. Approximately 1,050 Emory undergraduates are Georgia residents, with nearly 95% receiving HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarships.
Final Word
These expansions reflect a competitive push among top universities to attract talent amid rising costs, with many announcements in 2024–2025. Families should use net price calculators on school websites for personalized estimates, as aid often stacks with federal/state grants.