Higher education just got more affordable.
Harvard University announced earlier this week that it will offer free tuition to students from families earning $200,000 or less per year. The move places Harvard alongside other elite institutions with large endowments that have introduced similar financial aid programs.
Closer to home, several New Hampshire colleges are stepping up with their own tuition-free programs. Here’s a look at the institutions offering free or discounted tuition based on family income:
Saint Anselm College
Saint Anselm College in Manchester announced last year that its tuition-free program would go into effect for first-year students in 2025.
Eligibility:
- In-state students from families earning $100,000 or less with a 3.25+ GPA.
- Must be a resident of New Hampshire for at least one year prior to enrollment.
- Transfer students do not qualify.
- The Anselmian Community Commitment covers tuition for eligible students living on campus.
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College in Hanover received a historic $150 million donation—the largest scholarship gift in its history—from the late telecommunications entrepreneur Glenn Britt, an alumnus of both Dartmouth and the Tuck School of Business, and his late wife, Barbara Britt.
The donation, announced in 2024, allowed the college to increase the family income threshold for students to receive free tuition, room, and board from $65,000 to $125,000. The change went into effect in the fall of 2024.
There may be a family contribution for some students. Read more about that here.
Eligibility:
- Students from families earning $125,000 or less per year.
Franklin Pierce University
Eligibility:
- First-year, full-time, in-state students from families making under $60,000 per year.
- Earn a 3.0 or higher high school cumulative GPA.
- The Pierce Promise Program covers tuition for qualifying students. Commuters receive a reduced discount.
University System of New Hampshire
Eligibility:
- Must be Pell Grant-eligible
- You must be a New Hampshire resident.
- The Granite Guarantee ensures tuition-free education for qualifying students at institutions like the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, and Keene State College.
- Students must be full-time, complete the FAFSA annually, and maintain financial eligibility for up to four years.
