Tufts Tuition Pact — Frequently Asked Questions

Starting with undergraduates entering in the fall of 2026, the Tufts Tuition Pact ensures that admitted U.S. undergraduate students whose family income, with typical assets, is under $150,000 per year will receive grants to cover the cost of tuition. This initiative builds on Tufts’ commitment to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. Applicants should indicate on their admissions application that they are applying for financial aid and submit all required materials by the stated deadlines.

Family income is assessed through the financial aid application process, which includes the FAFSA (for U.S. citizens/permanent residents), CSS Profile, and relevant tax or income documentation. Family income is defined as both student and parental income. In divorce or separated situations, the income of both parents is considered.

When evaluating eligibility, Tufts reviews all sources of income — including taxable and untaxed income, such as contributions to tax-deferred retirement plans, withdrawals from retirement accounts, and other non-taxable benefits. Income from businesses and/or rental income is also considered to ensure an equitable measure of financial capacity across families. This holistic approach provides a more accurate picture of resources available to contribute toward education costs.

Students whose family income is under $150,000 per year and whose assets fall within the typical range for that income level may qualify.   Assets include cash, savings, checking, investments, home equity (the value of your primary home), other real estate equity owned by your immediate family (secondary to your primary home), business equity (the value of a business owned by your parents), and investments. The value of a family’s retirement accounts/assets is not included in this calculation. 

Tufts meet 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted undergraduates, but families with assets significantly higher than what is typical for their income may not qualify for the Tufts Tuition Pact. 

Yes. Applicants should indicate on their admissions application that they are applying for financial aid and submit all required materials by the stated deadlines. Eligibility is determined through the financial aid application process, which requires submission of the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and relevant tax and income documentation.

The Tuition Pact applies only to domestic undergraduates- defined as U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents (green card holders). International students, therefore, are not eligible for tuition-free attendance under the Pact. An international student is a foreign national who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Tufts remains firmly committed to supporting international students with robust need-based aid. International applicants who apply for aid will continue to have 100% of their demonstrated financial need met through Tufts institutional funding. In addition, Tufts provides a health insurance grant to help offset the cost of the required student health plan. 

To apply for aid, applicants must submit the CSS Profile along with supporting financial tax documentation. While they do not have access to U.S. federal or state aid, Tufts’ institutional aid ensures that admitted international students receive the financial support necessary to make a Tufts education possible.

Yes. Beginning with U.S. undergraduate students entering in the fall of 2026, transfer students who are domestic applicants are eligible to apply for the Tuition Pact. Transfer students should indicate on their application that they are applying for financial aid and submit all required materials by the stated deadlines.

The Tufts Tuition Pact considers all forms of grant aid when covering tuition. Grant aid may include, but is not limited to, Tufts institutional grants, federal and state grants, tuition remission and outside scholarships. Together, these sources of funding ensure that qualifying students with family incomes under $150,000 (with typical assets) receive enough grant support to fully cover the cost of tuition.

No. The Tufts Tuition Pact will cover the cost of tuition only, which for the 2025-2026 academic year is $71,982. Other expenses such as housing, meals, books, supplies, or personal costs will still be included in determining need based financial aid eligibility. Tufts remains committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students. That means families who qualify for the Tuition Pact may also receive additional need-based aid to help cover these other expenses.

The Tuition Pact begins with undergraduate students entering in the fall of 2026. Current students will continue to receive their existing need-based financial aid awards, which already meet 100% of demonstrated need.

We remain committed to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted undergraduates. Financial aid packages may include grants from all sources—such as Tufts institutional grants, federal and state grants, tuition remission and private or outside scholarships—along with federal work-study (for eligible students) and student loans. This comprehensive approach ensures that every admitted student, regardless of whether they qualify for the Tuition Pact, receives the financial support needed to make Tufts affordable.

About 44% of undergraduates receive need-based financial aid, with an average grant award of $55,000.

Yes—tuition will appear on the bill, but Tufts aid will cover the cost in full for qualifying students. Families will see a tuition line item and financial aid applied.

The Tufts Tuition Pact is not an automatic four-year guarantee. Tufts reviews each student’s need-based financial aid eligibility annually. If a student continues to meet the income and asset criteria, remains enrolled full-time, and maintains satisfactory academic progress, the tuition-free benefit will be included in their updated aid award for that year.