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.
According to Vice President of Enrollment Eric Maguire, more undergraduate students at Wake Forest come from North Carolina than from any other state. He said the initiative reinforces the university’s role in serving local students while making affordability more transparent. “The program will allow families to see and understand their likely out-of-pocket costs from the beginning,” Maguire explained. “That level of assurance will help more North Carolina families envision Wake Forest as a possibility.”
Reducing Barriers for Students and Families
The Gateway initiative is designed not only to reduce tuition costs but also to remove uncertainty for families navigating the financial aid process. By clearly outlining eligibility and benefits, the program aims to help prospective students evaluate Wake Forest University as an attainable choice from the start of their application process.
Officials said this approach builds on the university’s longstanding efforts to minimize student loans by increasing scholarships and grants. With rising concerns about student debt, Wake Forest leaders believe this expansion will have a direct impact on families making decisions about higher education.
Supported by Donors and Scholarships
Wake Forest officials noted that the initiative has been made possible by the university’s donors, whose contributions to scholarships and financial aid funds continue to grow. President Wente expressed gratitude for the investments, calling them “crucial to our ongoing efforts to increase access and affordability for low- and middle-income families.”
The program aligns with a broader national movement among private universities to expand access by easing financial burdens. For Wake Forest, the focus remains squarely on serving students from its home state while maintaining its reputation for academic excellence.
A Pathway for Future Generations
The university’s leaders see the initiative as an investment not only in students but also in the wider North Carolina community. By enabling more residents to pursue higher education, Wake Forest aims to strengthen its role in preparing future professionals, educators, and leaders who will contribute across industries.
With tuition and living expenses often cited as major barriers to college attendance, the Gateway program positions Wake Forest University as a model for how private universities can expand opportunity while staying true to their educational mission.