Students apply to Yale College from all fifty states and every corner of the globe, aspiring to join a community passionate about making the world a better place. Sixty years ago, Yale was the first in the nation to institute a policy of need-blind admissions for undergraduates, backed by a commitment to meet their full demonstrated need. In the decades since, Yale has invested in that promise, progressively updating and expanding financial aid so that the leaders of tomorrow can participate in all the opportunities Yale offers.

In 2025–2026, fifty-three percent of Yale College students received need-based assistance. Eighty-eight percent of the graduating class completed their bachelor’s degree with no loan debt.

During the For Humanity campaign, $374 million was raised for undergraduate scholarships, ensuring that the promise of access and opportunity can be kept for students for generations to come.

Thanks in part to this effort, Yale College announced in January 2026 a significant enhancement to its financial aid program, which went into effect for undergraduates entering in the 2026–2027 academic year. Under the new policy, Yale offers free tuition to families with incomes below $200,000 and covers all costs of attendance for families with incomes below $100,000.

Nearly half of all American households with children ages 6–17 would now qualify for a financial aid package that does not require parents to contribute anything towards a student’s education. And under the new policy for families with incomes under $200,000, more than 80 percent of American households would be eligible for a Yale scholarship covering at least the cost of tuition.