University pledges free tuition for students under $150K income

The University of Notre Dame is expanding its Pathways to Notre Dame initiative by covering tuition costs for families with incomes below $150,000 a year.

Beginning with the fall semester, the university will ensure that students who fall below this income threshold receive need-based financial aid. Families who earn less than $200,000 a year will receive aid for half of tuition costs. Incomes less than $60,000 might also qualify for financial aid for fees, housing and food.

“With this announcement, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to ensuring that cost will never be a barrier between a promising student and a Notre Dame education, and we are ensuring that families have greater clarity as they consider this important and formative step for young scholars,” said Micki Kidder, vice president for undergraduate enrollment, in a press release.

University President the Rev. Robert Dowd founded the Pathways to Notre Dame program in 2024.

“In order to be the community of learning we are called to be, cost must never be a barrier. By expanding the Pathways to Notre Dame program with this announcement, we continue to make strides to make a Notre Dame education more affordable,” Dowd said in his inauguration speech.

The initiative is funded by “the generosity of many members of the Notre Dame family.” In the next four years, Notre Dame's commitment to financial aid will surpass $1 billion.

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