Beginning in Fall 2026, Stevens will make tuition free for incoming undergraduate students whose families earn $75,000 or less per year, a major expansion of the university’s commitment to accessibility and affordability. The new program, known as The Stevens Investment, aims to remove financial barriers for talented students who might otherwise find higher education out of reach.
The initiative will provide full tuition coverage for first-year, full-time undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. To qualify, families must demonstrate an annual income of $75,000 or less with typical assets for that income level, and students must complete both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile by the university’s posted deadlines. Tuition will be fully covered through grants and scholarships, meaning students will not need to rely on loans or work-study to meet tuition costs.
Stevens President Nariman Farvardin said the program reflects the university’s dedication to recognizing potential in students from all backgrounds. “At Stevens, we recognize that exceptional students come from all backgrounds and economic circumstances,” Farvardin said. “Our role as an institution is to identify that potential and work to remove barriers that might prevent these talented individuals from accessing the transformative education Stevens provides. This program reflects our longstanding commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders and innovators, regardless of their family’s financial situation.” The Stevens Investment will begin with the incoming class in the fall 2026 semester, expanding access to what the university describes as a “transformative Stevens education.” According to university data, nearly 99.9% of Stevens students already receive some form of institutional financial assistance, with the school awarding over $38 million in institutional aid in the 2024–2025 academic year. Including external aid, the undergraduate population collectively received more than $190 million in financial aid.
Vice President for Enrollment Management Cindy Chin described the initiative as the result of years of careful planning. “The Stevens Investment represents years of strategic planning to ensure talented students can feel at home at Stevens,” Chin said. “We are thrilled to have arrived at this milestone, and to be able to put a Stevens education within reach for more students.”
The new program builds on Stevens’ strong track record of student success. In April 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked Stevens No. 9 in the nation for return on investment 40 years after enrollment, highlighting the long-term value of a Stevens degree. University officials say The Stevens Investment is part of a broader effort to strengthen not only affordability but also academic and career readiness for all students.
That broader effort includes major investments in student experience, such as the SUCCESS program, a new first-year curriculum focused on life and professional skills. Another cornerstone of the undergraduate experience, the Frontiers of Technology curriculum, introduces students to emerging fields and ensures that graduates remain adaptable in a rapidly changing job market. Together, these programs are designed to reinforce what Stevens leaders describe as the “transformative” nature of its education.
For students who do not meet the $75,000 income threshold, Stevens will continue to offer a range of merit-based scholarships and need-based aid, maintaining what the university calls a “continued commitment to affordability.” The school emphasizes that The Stevens Investment does not replace existing aid programs but rather enhances the university’s financial aid portfolio, providing another pathway for students to access higher education without long-term debt. The Stevens Investment applies to all undergraduate majors across the university’s three academic divisions—the Schaefer School of Engineering and Science, the School of Business, and the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences—reinforcing Stevens’ goal to make all fields of study accessible to students regardless of economic background.
As higher education costs continue to rise nationwide, The Stevens Investment stands out as a bold step toward promoting social mobility and reducing economic inequality in college access. For many prospective students and families, it represents not just financial relief but an open door to opportunity.
