Wake Forest University has announced a major financial aid expansion for North Carolina residents. Starting in Fall 2026, the new "North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest" program will provide free tuition for admitted undergraduate students from families with annual incomes below $200,000.
The initiative aims to make the private university more accessible to high-achieving students across the state, regardless of their financial background. For students from families earning less than $100,000, the program will also cover the cost of standard living expenses.
Key Takeaways
- Free Tuition Under $200K: Admitted North Carolina students with family incomes under $200,000 will receive full tuition coverage.
- Full Support Under $100K: Students from families with incomes below $100,000 will have tuition and standard living expenses covered.
- Partial Aid for Middle-Income: Families with incomes between $200,000 and $300,000 will be eligible for financial aid covering 50% of tuition.
- Effective Date: The program begins for students admitted for the Fall 2026 semester.
Details of the New Financial Aid Program
Wake Forest University is structuring its new aid program to address different income levels within North Carolina. The goal is to provide clear, predictable financial support for families considering the university.
Three Tiers of Support
The "North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest" initiative establishes a tiered system based on annual family income. This structure is designed to offer substantial assistance to low and middle-income families from the state.
- Income Below $100,000: These students will receive financial aid covering the full cost of tuition as well as standard on-campus housing and meal plans. This represents the most comprehensive level of support offered by the program.
- Income Below $200,000: For this group, the university will cover the complete cost of tuition. Students will still be responsible for living expenses, but the primary cost of attendance will be eliminated.
- Income Between $200,000 and $300,000: Families in this bracket will be eligible for financial aid that covers 50% of the university's tuition costs.
Commitment to Affordability
This new program builds upon Wake Forest's existing policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens. The Gateway initiative provides an even clearer pathway for North Carolina residents.
Expanding Access for North Carolina Residents
University officials stated that the program is a direct effort to remove cost as a barrier for talented students in its home state. North Carolina is the single largest source of undergraduate students for Wake Forest.
Eric Maguire, Vice President for Enrollment, emphasized the importance of transparency for prospective students and their families.
"We want to demonstrate our affordability to North Carolina families. The program will allow families to see and understand their likely out-of-pocket costs from the beginning. That level of assurance and transparency will help more North Carolina families envision Wake Forest as a possibility."
By providing a clear financial framework, the university hopes that more high-achieving students who might have previously self-selected out due to perceived costs will now apply.
A Personal Mission and University-Wide Goal
For Wake Forest President Susan R. Wente, the initiative carries personal significance. She shared her own experience as a student who relied on financial assistance to attend college.
"This initiative is also personal for me. As a Pell grant recipient, private colleges in my home state felt entirely out of reach. I want talented North Carolinians from across the income spectrum to know they can come to Wake Forest and receive a transformational education."
President Wente framed the program as a clear message to North Carolina families who may have viewed Wake Forest as financially unattainable.
Pro Humanitate: A Guiding Motto
Wake Forest's motto, Pro Humanitate (For Humanity), is often cited as a guiding principle for the university's actions. Officials connect this new financial aid program to that core value, aiming to serve the community by investing in the state's students.
The program aligns with the university's long-term strategy of minimizing student loan debt by increasing grants and scholarships. This approach ensures that students can graduate with a world-class education without an overwhelming financial burden.
Financial Support and Future Impact
The funding for the "North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest" program comes from the university's resources, significantly bolstered by donor contributions. President Wente acknowledged the critical role of philanthropy in making such initiatives possible.
"We are grateful for the generous support of donors," Wente said. "Their investments in undergraduate scholarships and financial aid at Wake Forest are crucial to our ongoing efforts to increase access and affordability for low and middle-income families."
The university anticipates that this program will not only increase applications from within North Carolina but also enhance the socioeconomic diversity of its student body. By making a Wake Forest education a realistic option for more students, the initiative is expected to strengthen the university's connection to its home state and foster a more inclusive campus environment for generations to come.