Key Points:
- Tuition-Free: NC students under $200K income.
- Partial Aid: 50% tuition for $200K–$300K families.
- Affordable Access: Easier financial aid for local students.
Beginning in the fall of 2026, some students at Wake Forest University will be able to attend without paying tuition. The university announced on Wednesday that its new “North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest University” initiative will expand financial aid opportunities for families across the state, aiming to make higher education more accessible and affordable.
Expanding Access Through Financial Aid
Under the program, admitted undergraduate students from North Carolina with an annual family income below $200,000 will receive tuition-free education. Additionally, students from families earning less than $100,000 annually will have their standard living expenses covered alongside full tuition.
For families with incomes between $200,000 and $300,000, the initiative provides financial aid to cover 50 percent of tuition costs. By tailoring support across income levels, Wake Forest University aims to reach more students who may have previously viewed the university as out of financial reach.
A Commitment to North Carolina Students
President Susan R. Wente of Wake Forest University emphasized that the initiative reflects the institution’s strong ties to its 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,’” she said.
Wente also shared her own perspective as a Pell Grant recipient, noting that private colleges once felt unattainable in her own educational journey. “I want talented North Carolinians from across the income spectrum to know they can come to Wake Forest and receive a transformational education,” she added…