Gateway to Wake Forest program launches for admitted undergraduates in Fall 2026
Wake Forest University has announced that incoming undergraduate students from North Carolina whose families make less than $200,000 per year will attend tuition-free, beginning in the fall of 2026.
For incoming undergraduate students with an annual family income less than $100,000, financial aid will cover the cost of standard living expenses in addition to the full cost of tuition. Students from families earning between $200,000 and $300,000 will be eligible for financial aid covering 50% of tuition.
Called the North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest University, the initiative aims to create more opportunities for talented, high-achieving North Carolina students to attend Wake Forest regardless of family income.
“The North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest University demonstrates our deep commitment to students from our home state,” said President Susan R. Wente. “It says clearly to students and families who may not have considered Wake Forest because of cost: ‘Wake Forest is within your reach.’
“This initiative is also personal for me,” Wente said. “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.”
The North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest University offers:
- Admitted students from North Carolina with an annual family income of $100,000 or less will receive financial aid covering tuition and standard living expenses.
- Admitted students from North Carolina with an annual family income between $100,000 and $200,000 will receive financial aid covering tuition — only paying standard living expenses and applicable fees.
- Admitted students from North Carolina with an annual family income between $200,000 and $300,000 will receive financial aid covering 50% of tuition.
| Annual Family Income | Financial Aid to Cover |
|---|---|
| $0-$100k | Tuition, Standard Living Expenses |
| $100k-$200k | Tuition |
| $200k-$300k | 50% of Tuition |
| $300k+ | Any Applicable Aid |
“We want to demonstrate our affordability to North Carolina families,” said Vice President for Enrollment Eric Maguire. “More of our undergraduate students come from North Carolina than any other state. 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.”
The new initiative applies to North Carolina families with typical assets who apply for financial aid.
The initiative is part of Wake Forest’s longstanding commitment to minimize student loans by increasing financial aid and scholarships.
“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.”
Wake Forest meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens, regardless of their family income.
Frequently Asked Questions
We want to demonstrate our affordability to North Carolina families. More of our undergraduate students come from North Carolina than any other state and we want to make it clear that a Wake Forest education is within reach. 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 be helpful for families as they try to envision Wake Forest as a possibility.
- Admitted students from North Carolina with an annual family income of $100,000 or less will receive financial aid covering tuition and standard living expenses.
- Admitted students from North Carolina with an annual family income between $100,000 and $200,000 will receive financial aid covering tuition — only paying standard living expenses and applicable fees.
- Admitted students from North Carolina with an annual family income between $200,000 and $300,000 will receive financial aid covering 50% of tuition.
We are starting this program with North Carolina families and may expand it in the future.
Yes. Applicants for financial aid must continue to qualify by submitting the FAFSA and CSS Profile, as well as applicable federal tax documents, by the posted deadlines each cycle.
Typical assets are determined internally and exclude the value of one’s primary residence and retirement accounts from consideration.
We rely on the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) to determine residency, the same service that determines residency for the UNC system and other schools in NC.
No. The program will be implemented for new undergraduate students enrolling in the fall of 2026. Current students are, of course, eligible for financial aid packages and Wake Forest is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need. This initiative is just one of many efforts to make a Wake Forest education affordable.
We know that the cost of education is a major concern for many students and their families and we hope to expand the geography over time. While we don’t have a specific timeline for expanding the program, we are deeply committed to making education affordable for all students. We meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for every domestic student. This means that after considering your family’s financial situation, we will provide a financial aid package that covers the remaining costs. We continually work to increase our scholarship and grant offerings and reduce student indebtedness.
No, only undergraduate students are eligible.
This program applies to faculty and staff who reside in North Carolina, while tuition concession benefits remain for benefits-eligible staff. Faculty and staff that qualify for both will receive financial aid packaging that incorporates both tuition concession and the NC Gateway.
Outside scholarships may be used in conjunction with institutional grants and other forms of aid (federal work study, for example) to craft financial aid packages, not to exceed the total cost of attendance.
This funding applies to all admitted students with established North Carolina residency.
First-year enrollment has grown at the university in the past few years and we plan to continue this measured and steady growth. This creates more opportunities for both North Carolinians and students across the country.