BALTIMORE — Johns Hopkins University will eliminate tuition for undergraduate students from families earning up to $200,000 a year beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, a shift that could expand opportunities for students across Maryland, including those in Southern Maryland seeking high-quality, affordable higher education.
Through its new Tuition Promise, the university will also cover tuition, fees, housing and living expenses for families earning up to $100,000 — reducing parent costs to zero for many students.
Hopkins said the broadened financial aid is possible due to sustained donor support, including a historic $1.8 billion gift from alumnus Michael R. Bloomberg that allowed the university to become permanently need-blind and remove loans from financial aid packages. The share of Pell Grant-eligible students has risen from 15.4% in 2018 to 24.1% in 2025, marking the highest level in Hopkins history.
For local families, especially in Southern Maryland, where students often weigh competitive programs against rising tuition costs, this change could make a top-tier university more within reach.
Application Deadlines
Students applying for fall 2026 — the first class eligible for the new tuition-free model — should note:
- Early Decision I: Apply by Nov. 1, 2025; decisions released Dec. 12
- Early Decision II: Apply by Jan. 2, 2026; decisions released Feb. 13
- Regular Decision: Apply by Jan. 2, 2026; decisions released March 18
- Transfer: Apply by March 1, 2026; decisions released May 8
Understanding Early Decision
Early decision (ED) is a binding option. Students who apply ED and are admitted commit to enrolling at Johns Hopkins and must withdraw applications to other colleges.
What About Early Action?
Johns Hopkins does not offer early action (EA). Families should be aware of this distinction:
- Early decision = binding
- Early action = nonbinding (but Hopkins does not offer it)
Full details on the Tuition Promise and financial aid updates are available at:
https://hub.jhu.edu/2025/11/13/johns-hopkins-tuition-free-undergraduates/
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