MIT · Massachusetts
MIT Merit Aid
MIT does not offer merit scholarships of any kind — financial aid is based only on financial need. Families with income below $100,000 (typical assets) have zero expected family contribution. Families below $200,000 pay no tuition (new for 2025-2026). MIT meets 100% of demonstrated need.
Who this school is for
Families who need to understand that MIT is not a merit-optimization target — even for top STEM students. A perfect score on the math SAT does not earn a merit scholarship. MIT's need-based system is generous: 58% of undergraduates receive MIT scholarships averaging over $63,000/year. The new $200,000 tuition-free threshold (effective 2025-2026) makes MIT accessible to a much wider range of families than most expect.
Tuition / cost of attendance: Approximately $88,283 for 2025-2026. Tuition and fees ~$64,719, room and board ~$20,280, books and supplies ~$910, personal ~$2,374. MIT planned to award $176 million in need-based scholarships in 2025-2026. 2026-2027 COA not yet published. Source
Outside scholarship stacking policy
Outside scholarships first cover the student contribution (up to $5,400). Excess reduces the MIT Scholarship. Students may use a portion toward a computer purchase or health insurance before the MIT Scholarship is reduced.
Outside scholarships first replace the student contribution (up to $5,400 per year). Any excess must reduce the MIT Scholarship. Students may use a portion of outside awards toward a one-time computer purchase or health insurance before the MIT Scholarship is reduced. Students can also ask donors to defer to future years.
Common Data Set snapshot
From the MIT Common Data Set 2024-2025:
Common mistakes at MIT
MIT's FAQ is unambiguous: 'MIT does not offer merit scholarships of any kind.' No academic, athletic, or artistic merit awards exist. The CDS confirms 0% of freshmen received non-need institutional merit aid.
Effective 2025-2026, MIT expanded its tuition-free threshold to families earning up to $200,000 (with typical assets). Many upper-middle-class families who assumed MIT was unaffordable now qualify for significant aid.
MIT merit aid FAQ
Does MIT offer merit scholarships for top STEM students?
No. MIT does not offer merit scholarships of any kind. All financial aid is based solely on financial need. The CDS confirms 0% of freshmen received non-need institutional merit aid. Academic excellence is expected of all admitted students — it is the baseline, not a basis for extra funding.
What does MIT cost for families earning under $200,000?
Families with income below $100,000 (typical assets) have zero expected family contribution. Starting in 2025-2026, families earning up to $200,000 (typical assets) pay no tuition. 58% of undergraduates receive MIT scholarships averaging over $63,000 per year.
How does MIT handle outside scholarships?
Outside scholarships first replace the student contribution (up to $5,400/year). Any excess reduces the MIT Scholarship. Students may apply a portion toward a one-time computer purchase or health insurance before the MIT Scholarship is reduced.