HAMILTON, N.Y. — Students in families that have a total annual income of up to $175,000 could be able to attend Colgate University tuition free, under a new university offer. In addition, those students with family incomes of up to $200,000 will have their demonstrated aid need met without loans starting in the fall of […]
HAMILTON, N.Y. — Students in families that have a total annual income of up to $175,000 could be able to attend Colgate University tuition free, under a new university offer.
In addition, those students with family incomes of up to $200,000 will have their demonstrated aid need met without loans starting in the fall of 2026.
Both elements are part of the school’s expansion of the Colgate Commitment, the university’s pledge to increase access and affordability, first launched in 2020.
The new income level for eliminating tuition more than doubles the no-tuition threshold that was established when Colgate first introduced the initiative. In addition, the expansion increases the number of students for whom a federal loan will not be part of their financial-aid offer. It also adjusts the percentage of tuition for which families are responsible based on new income brackets, Colgate said.
“Expanding the Colgate Commitment opens the doors of this world-class University to more exceptional students from all walks of life,” Colgate University President Brian Casey said in the announcement.
The expansion marks the third time that Colgate has worked to broaden the scope of the aid initiative, which it describes as a “critical part” of the University’s Third-Century Plan. The last update, announced in 2022, included expansion of aid packages to meet the average cost of textbooks and other academic expenses.
Beyond helping those with the greatest level of need, this expansion also targets in the middle and upper-middle income brackets. Families with an annual income between $175,000 and $200,000 will, on average, now pay 5 percent of their income toward tuition. Families with annual income levels between $200,000 and $250,000 will, on average, now pay 7 percent of their income toward tuition, and those with incomes of $250,000-$300,000 will pay, on average, 10 percent of their income toward tuition, Colgate said.
“Applying for financial aid can feel complicated and overwhelming,” Gina Soliz, senior associate dean and director of financial aid, said. “This expansion of the Colgate Commitment helps simplify the financial aid process and increases the number of students who will benefit from having loans replaced with Colgate grants.”
