Notre Dame announces free tuition for families earning under $150,000

Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune on Mar 18, 2026

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Undergraduate students from families with an annual income below $150,000 can now attend the University of Notre Dame for free beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, according to a university statement.

The change is part of a broader university initiative, Pathways to Notre Dame, which was initially announced at the inauguration of the university president, Rev. Robert Dowd, in 2024.

It aims to make the institution affordable and accessible for families at all income levels — a goal Dowd said is central to the university’s mission.

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

Beyond tuition, most undergraduate families making less than $60,000 annually will be eligible for financial assistance that covers fees, housing and food, according to the statement.

Yale University has similarly expanded its financial-aid program ahead of the 2026-27 academic year, eliminating all expected costs for undergraduate families with annual incomes below $100,000. Families earning under $200,000 will also receive need-based scholarships that meet or exceed the cost of tuition at Yale, the university said.

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