SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WISH) — Starting in the 2026-27 school year, the University of Notre Dame will cover the full cost of tuition for families with an annual income under $150,000. The school announced the move on Wednesday morning, adding it comes as part of its Pathways to Notre Dame initiativ e. The program aims to make Notre Dame more accessible to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds, including international applicants. The current cost of in-state tuition, plus fees, is just under $70,000. The total estimated cost for Notre Dame, including tuition, housing, meal plan, books, etc., is around $92,000. Next school year, families with incomes below $200,000 will receive aid covering at least half of their tuition, and most students from families earning less than $60,000 will have their tuition, fees, housing, and food covered. Here is a breakdown of income requirements: Under $200,000: Will receive aid covering at least half the cost of tuition. Under $150,000: Will receive aid covering the full cost of tuition. Under $60,000: Will have their tuition, fees, housing, and food completely covered. Notre Dame says it has provided need-based scholarship support for its families for the past three decades. While these efforts are long-standing, officials said the expansion of the Pathways to Notre Dame program represents a historic change in how the university approaches affordability. Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd introduced Pathways to Notre Dame in September 2024. At that time, Dowd also said the university would become need-blind and loan-free for all students. “In order to be the community of learning we are called to be, cost must never be a barrier,” he said. “By expanding the Pathways to Notre Dame program with this announcement, we continue to make strides to make a Notre Dame education more affordable. I have no doubt that the students who come to Notre Dame thanks to Pathways will enrich our community in every way.” Micki Kidder, vice president for undergraduate enrollment, said the new income-based thresholds are designed to simplify a complicated process for prospective scholars. Kidder added that setting clear income levels helps families understand what is financially possible. Navigating the financial aid process can often feel like the most daunting part of the college selection journey. By implementing income-based scholarship thresholds, we are providing the clarity families need to see that a world-class education is within their reach,” Kidder said. The university says the expanded financial aid commitment is expected to exceed $1 billion over the next four years. ...read more read less