ABC News TV Interview With Dr. Shaan Patel

Harvard’s Free Tuition for Middle-Income Families: A Bold Move—and a New Era in College Affordability
By Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert

We’re witnessing a turning point in higher education. Harvard University—arguably the most prestigious school in the world—just announced that families earning up to $200,000 a year will now qualify for free tuition. Yes, you read that right: $200,000.

This isn’t just a headline. It’s a shift in how we think about access to elite institutions, and it raises real questions about who gets to go to college—and who can actually afford it.

As someone who went to Yale, paid off six figures of student loans, and now helps students get into top schools through Prep Expert, I want to break this down—not just as a policy, but as a real opportunity for families across the country.

Harvard’s $200,000 Threshold: Why It’s a Game Changer

Let’s start with the numbers. Previously, Harvard offered full tuition coverage to families earning under $85,000 per year. That was already generous. But by raising the cap to $200,000, they’re now opening the door to millions of middle-income households who’ve historically been too “rich” for aid and too “poor” to pay out-of-pocket.

That’s huge. Especially when you consider the cost of attending Harvard is now over $85,000 per year with room, board, and fees included. Over four years, that’s a $340,000 education—now fully covered if your household income is under the new threshold.

And Harvard isn’t alone. MIT, the University of Texas System, Carnegie Mellon, and Brandeis have all expanded free tuition programs in the past year. They’re using endowments and private donations, not taxpayer funds, to do it—which is exactly how it should be. When you have a $50 billion endowment like Harvard, it’s time to stop building new libraries and start investing in people.

What This Means for Students (Hint: More Competition)

Now here’s the catch: acceptance rates at these elite schools are already razor-thin. And this change? It’s going to make things even more competitive.

When Harvard only offered free tuition up to $85,000, a relatively small pool of low-income families benefited. Now that cap is $200,000—the median household income in wealthy suburbs and two-parent professional households. We’re talking about doctors, engineers, small business owners, and dual-income families who previously never qualified for substantial aid.

Naturally, more families are going to apply. But Harvard can’t admit more students—it still only accepts about 2,000 students out of 60,000+ applications each year. Expect that number to go up, and expect the acceptance rate to dip below 3%, maybe even under 1% in a few years.

So here’s the new reality: free tuition is on the table—but only for the most competitive applicants.

Reinstating Test Scores: A New Standard of Merit

Another important development is this: Harvard, MIT, and many other elite institutions have reinstated standardized testing requirements. After a few years of going “test optional” during the pandemic, the data is now clear—SAT and ACT scores are powerful predictors of student success in college.

And when nearly 47% of U.S. high school seniors now graduate with an A average, thanks to rampant grade inflation, it’s become harder than ever for admissions officers to tell who’s actually ready for college-level work.

That’s why I believe test scores are making a comeback. Not to punish students—but to provide a clear, objective benchmark in a world where GPAs and extracurriculars are increasingly difficult to compare.

And this doesn’t disadvantage low-income students—it helps them. It gives talented students from any ZIP code a chance to prove themselves on a national stage. If you can score in the 99th percentile, that score speaks louder than where you went to high school or how much your parents earn.

Financial Aid vs. Financial Freedom

Let’s not forget: college affordability isn’t just about getting in. It’s about what your life looks like after graduation.

The average student loan balance in the U.S. is over $37,000, and the national student debt total is approaching $2 trillion​. That kind of debt has real consequences. It delays homeownership. It limits entrepreneurship. It makes it harder to take risks, start a business, or pursue public service.

When a school like Harvard offers free tuition—and you qualify—you’re not just saving money. You’re buying back your freedom. That’s priceless.

Does This Replace DEI? Not Exactly—But It Helps

There’s also a broader social dynamic at play. With the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling to strike down race-based affirmative action, many universities have been searching for alternative ways to preserve diversity on campus.

Income-based aid like this can be part of the solution. By expanding access for middle- and lower-income families—many of whom are from underrepresented backgrounds—schools can maintain socioeconomic diversity, which often overlaps with racial and geographic diversity.

No, it’s not a one-to-one replacement for DEI. But it’s a step in the right direction. And it aligns with the broader mission of creating opportunity for students based on merit and potential, not legacy status or wealth.

How to Stand Out in This New Landscape

So what can you do to stand out in an increasingly competitive admissions cycle?

Here’s my advice:

• Take the SAT or ACT. Even if your dream school says it’s test-optional, having a strong score can give you a significant edge.
• Start preparing early. If you’re a sophomore or junior, don’t wait. Use resources like the College Board’s Bluebook app or enroll in a Prep Expert online course.
• Tell your story clearly. Grades and test scores are just the beginning. Your essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars need to show who you are and what you care about.
• Apply for scholarships early and often. Outside aid can still make a big difference—especially for costs beyond tuition, like books, housing, and meals.

Final Thoughts

Harvard’s announcement isn’t just a headline—it’s a signal that the future of college affordability is changing. More schools will follow. More families will qualify. And more students will have the chance to attend world-class universities—without mortgaging their future.

But the bar is rising. The competition is getting tougher. And preparation matters more than ever.

If you’re aiming for a school that now offers free tuition, remember: access is expanding, but opportunity still favors the prepared.

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Dr. Shaan Patel is a Shark Tank winner, bestselling author, and founder of Prep Expert, an online education company that has helped over 100,000 students raise their SAT/ACT scores and earn admission to top colleges. He scored a perfect SAT and paid off six figures in student loans before building one of the fastest-growing test prep companies in the country.