Duke University Pledges Free Tuition for Carolinas Students from Families Earning Less Than $150k

Duke University has announced that it will offer free tuition to students from North Carolina and South Carolina whose family incomes total $150,000 or less.

In addition to waiving tuition fees, the University will extend further financial support to undergraduate students hailing from the Carolinas with family incomes of $65,000 or less. This assistance is expected to cover other expenses such as housing, meals, and course materials.

Duke President Vincent Price, in a recent statement, expressed that this new policy aims to facilitate "even more equitable access to a Duke education." He added that it would provide students with "the resources they need to truly thrive."

The revised policies will also benefit existing students at Duke, with updated financial aid statements set to reach them by July 1.

Gary Bennett, the dean of Duke's Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, told The News & Observer that covering tuition would address "the vast majority" of the cost of attending Duke. As stated on Duke's website, the undergraduate tuition for the 2023-2024 school year is currently $31,725 per semester.