How to pay nothing for college tuition at these D3 Schools

In the past few weeks, both Tufts (Tufts Tuition Pact) and Emory (Advantage Plus) pledged to cover 100% of tuition for families that make less than certain income thresholds annually.

So naturally we did a deep dive to find our readers all of the D3 schools we could that offer similar programs.

Know of one that we missed in our list below? Let us know with an email or by leaving a comment.

Qualifying for $0 Tuition at D3 Schools

Going to a great D3 school does not have to be expensive.

And while today’s post is about potentially zeroing out tuition, know that there are other routes to affordable education. Take our good friend Ryan’s experience (below) at Marietta in Ohio as one example.

If you’d like more context, check out this video we made earlier in the week on the topic.

Getting Started

Know that tuition and financial aid policies vary (some cover tuition only, others include room & board) school by school.

AND…Families almost always need to file FAFSA and/or the CSS Profile to be eligible. Get informed by filling out FAFSA right when it opens on October 1st.

Other Ways to Save on Cost of College

Stack outside scholarships like these
Apply early for need-based aid (some D3’s meet 100% demonstrated need)
Ask schools about “no-loan” aid packages that replace loans with grants

Now for the list of D3 schools with $0 tuition programs…

D3’s with $0 Tuition Programs

Here’s a list of the D3 $0 tuition programs we could find in our initial search.

This is likely not an exhaustive list so remember to research before ruling out a school because they have a high sticker price.

Note: All figures below are the annual household income limits for the school listed to cover a student’s tuition.

Carnegie Mellon (PA): $75k via the CMU Pathway Program. This is a new rollout that starts this year.
Eastern Mennonite University (VA) - $65k (For Virginia Residents) via the EMU Promise Grant. As with most of the programs on this list, you have to complete FAFSA to be eligible. The information in the picture looks a little outdated, and we’d assume that they will look at 2024 income tax returns for those completing FAFSA this year.

Grinnell College (IA): $100k (For Iowa Residents) via the Iowa Access Initiative. Grinnell also has a commitment to meet 100% of accepted students’ demonstrated financial need.
Berea College (KY): $0 tuition for all students since 1982 and it remains free to this day. This is undoubtedly one of the most unique offerings in amongst all D3 schools.
MIT (MA): $200k, this is another new program kicking off in 2025 and one of the highest annual income marks on the list alongside the next school on the list.
Emory University (GA): $200k, via the Emory Advantage Plus program
Tufts University (MA): $150k, via the Tufts Tuition Pact
Allegheny College (PA): $50k (Residents of Pennsylvania & Ohio) via CAP as detailed in the picture below:
New York University (NY): $100k via the NYU Promise program that began last year. The program commits to match any tuition increases each year so the student does not have to cover the gap.
Colby College (ME): $75K via the Colby Commitment. If there’s one thing we love at D3Direct, it is a clear financial aid website and Colby nails it here. They leave no doubt about the maximum that your family will pay in tuition based on annual income brackets.
Washington & Lee University (VA): $150k via the W&L Promise.
Brandeis University (MA): $75k
UMass-Dartmouth (MA): $75k

Thanks for Reading!

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We appreciate your support and welcome your feedback - especially if you know a D3 school we missed.

D3 Schools With $0 Tuition