USNH launches new free tuition for NH families making up to $100k
Plymouth, N.H. (October 1, 2026) – A college education is now within reach for more New Hampshire families, thanks to the New Hampshire Promise, a new program launched today by the University System of New Hampshire. Beginning in fall 2027, incoming first-year and transfer students from families earning up to $100,000 a year can have their tuition covered at any USNH institution, removing a major financial barrier and giving more students the opportunity to pursue their goals and build their future right here in New Hampshire.
“New Hampshire’s public institutions of higher education are a transformative opportunity for students,” USNH Chancellor Cathy Provencher said. “In launching this new program, all of the university system institutions are working together to make higher education more accessible for more New Hampshire students, enabling them to pursue their dreams right here in the Granite State.”
Under the terms of the program, New Hampshire residents who are admitted as full-time, first-year students or transfers who have graduated from a New Hampshire community college, with total family income of up to $100,000, qualify to attend a USNH institution — University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University and Keene State College — tuition-free. With New Hampshire’s median household income of $99,782, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau data, the program has the potential to benefit a significant portion of the state’s families.
“The New Hampshire Promise program is an investment in our students and in the future of our state. By expanding affordable pathways to higher education, we’re creating more opportunities for our young people to pursue good-paying jobs and making it easier for them to build their careers in New Hampshire. I thank the University System of New Hampshire for their efforts to make college more affordable for New Hampshire students and their families.”
Admitted students who submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will automatically be considered for the New Hampshire Promise; there is no separate application process. While the program covers tuition, it does not cover housing, food, books, or fees.
The New Hampshire Promise replaces USNH’s Granite Guarantee program, established in 2017 to provide free tuition to Pell-eligible students. Since its inception, more than 4,000 students have qualified for this program. Currently enrolled USNH undergraduates will remain in Granite Guarantee to ensure no disruption of financial aid benefits.
Learn more about the New Hampshire Promise at https://www.plymouth.edu/student-financial-services/financial-aid/new-hampshire-promise.
About Plymouth State University: Established in 1871, Plymouth State University serves the state of New Hampshire and the world beyond by transforming our students through advanced practices where engaged learning produces well-educated undergraduates, and by providing graduate education that deepens and advances knowledge and enhances professional development. The Plymouth State Cluster Learning Model emphasizes open, integrative, and project-based experiences. With distinction, we connect with community and business partners for economic development, technological advances, healthier living, and cultural enrichment with a special commitment of service to the North Country and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. To learn more about Plymouth State University, visit www.plymouth.edu.
