Wake Forest Will Be Tuition-Free for Students from NC Families Earning Below $200,000 Annually

Colleges & Universities Wake Forest University
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Wake Forest University announced that undergraduates from North Carolina with annual family incomes less than $200,000 per year will attend tuition-free, beginning for students admitted for the 2026 fall semester.

For North Carolina students with an annual family income less than $100,000, financial aid will cover the cost of standard living expenses in addition to the full cost of tuition. Students from North Carolina with an annual family income between $200,000 and $300,000 will be eligible for financial aid covering 50% of tuition.

Called the North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest University, the initiative aims to create more opportunities for talented, high-achieving North Carolina students to attend Wake Forest regardless of family income.

"The North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest University demonstrates our deep commitment to students from our home state. It says clearly to students and families who may not have considered Wake Forest because of cost: ‘Wake Forest is within your reach.’” says Wake Forest University President Susan R. Wente.

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This is fantastic! I love seeing more and more universities offering full rides or free tuition to middle- and upper-middle class families. If you’re a family making $250K you probably assume little to no aid at most places. Even with half-tuition it will still be pricey and a stretch for these families but hopefully will open the door wider to so many.

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My family is at the 250k level, what schools would we receive the most aid at?

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I have no idea. Run the NPC for any school you are interested in. Princeton is generally known as very generous. It’s not just income, also assets. Some schools ignore home equity. Some count it. Some count part of it over a certain threshold. All you can do is figure out schools you are interested in and run the NPC. Good luck.

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Yes! I am for sure applying to Princeton

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School by school - and assets matter too.

If you’re looking to spend less, who gives what doesn’t necessarily matter.

if a $95k school gave you $30k, and another school is $45k full pay with no aid, which is cheapest ?

Figure out a budget and what type of school you like and go from there. There are schools $20-95k so set a budget and work from there.

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