Tufts new tuition free policy

[Anonymous]

Just announced for families under 150k/yr with typical assets.

https://www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2025/09/breaking-tufts-announces-free-tuition-policy-for-families-earning-up-to-150000-annually

[Anonymous]

I've got 6 years to hope these $150k limits come up to $175....(and yes we have saved for college, blah, blah, but every little bit helps!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've got 6 years to hope these $150k limits come up to $175....(and yes we have saved for college, blah, blah, but every little bit helps!).

If you've saved for college, these programs might not be the benefit you think. Ask me how I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've got 6 years to hope these $150k limits come up to $175....(and yes we have saved for college, blah, blah, but every little bit helps!).

If you've saved for college, these programs might not be the benefit you think. Ask me how I know.

Yes, that “typical assets” phrase is interesting and I’m curious as to its definition.

[Anonymous]

But most colleges offer a program like this. Harvard's is HHI less than $100K. Princeton's is $150K but covers meals, dorms, books and supplies which Tufts does not. Note that Tufts's tuition is $93,182, and the offer announced today does not cover meals, dorms, books, or supplies for students with HHIs exceeding $60K. Consequently, these students will still need to cover $22,500, even if the tuition of $71,982 is waived. For some families, that is insurmountable. At Princeton, those fees will be covered. So read carefully.

[Anonymous]

typical assets either 200k or 250k for most colleges. including Harvard Princeton etc



some dont even exclude home equity (HP do, Y does not) .

[Anonymous]

Take those fancy vacations, buy the nice car and splurge on great dinners - those who are fiscally responsible and save for college are "punished."

So many of these grand proclamations are so performative. I am very supportive of a diverse student population, including socioeconomic diversity. But I feel like these schools are going overboard with these special programs.

And if the endowment tax ends up kicking in, they might want to very quietly reverse some of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But most colleges offer a program like this. Harvard's is HHI less than $100K. Princeton's is $150K but covers meals, dorms, books and supplies which Tufts does not. Note that Tufts's tuition is $93,182, and the offer announced today does not cover meals, dorms, books, or supplies for students with HHIs exceeding $60K. Consequently, these students will still need to cover $22,500, even if the tuition of $71,982 is waived. For some families, that is insurmountable. At Princeton, those fees will be covered. So read carefully.

Not sure I'd use Harvard and Princeton to define "most colleges." There are a handful of schools that promise need at this level, but far from most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But most colleges offer a program like this.

It's true that many *highly selective colleges* now offer a program like this. But many, many colleges do not - I'm not sure exactly where the break point is, but there is a threshold (and it's pretty high, like top 50) below which colleges do not commit to meeting 100% of a student's need - including students from households of any income level.

[Anonymous]

Of all schools, Tufts has by far the largest number of students/alums with chips on their shoulder about not getting into Ivies. They tend to be really insufferable about trying to show how smart they are and that they should have gone to an Ivy but fate intervened and prevented it from happening.

My kids go to school with a few children of Tufts alums and they are the worst helicopter parents, and most likely to brag about how smart their kids are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take those fancy vacations, buy the nice car and splurge on great dinners - those who are fiscally responsible and save for college are "punished."

So many of these grand proclamations are so performative. I am very supportive of a diverse student population, including socioeconomic diversity. But I feel like these schools are going overboard with these special programs.

And if the endowment tax ends up kicking in, they might want to very quietly reverse some of them.

I’m starting to feel ticked off as well as I see more & more schools do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take those fancy vacations, buy the nice car and splurge on great dinners - those who are fiscally responsible and save for college are "punished."

What do fancy vacations, nice cars and great dinners have to do with family income under 150k?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take those fancy vacations, buy the nice car and splurge on great dinners - those who are fiscally responsible and save for college are "punished."

So many of these grand proclamations are so performative. I am very supportive of a diverse student population, including socioeconomic diversity. But I feel like these schools are going overboard with these special programs.

And if the endowment tax ends up kicking in, they might want to very quietly reverse some of them.

I’m starting to feel ticked off as well as I see more & more schools do this.

I am too. I completely understand true hardship scenarios but what benefit do people have to save money for college?

[Anonymous]

DCUM: I can’t live on under 400k. Also DCUM: families living on 150K are splurging. Tufts is obviously trying to keep up with the other schools with similar programs. Good for them if they can afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take those fancy vacations, buy the nice car and splurge on great dinners - those who are fiscally responsible and save for college are "punished."

What do fancy vacations, nice cars and great dinners have to do with family income under 150k?

It impacts the assets side of things. Many schools give less financial aid to those with saved assets, so there is a disincentive to save for college. Which is counter-intuitive. I don't have a better suggestion, but this makes no sense.