On Nov. 20, Brandeis University’s Instagram account announced a new plan to make tuition more affordable to potential students. Titled the “Brandeis Commitment Program,” this new initiative covers full tuition for families with a total income range of $75,000 or below and half tuition for families with a total income range of $75,001 to $200,000. As stated on the Office of Student Financial Services website, “The university has made a firm commitment to clarify the amount of aid students will receive — the Brandeis Commitment.” This website also clarifies that in addition to the implementation of this program, Brandeis will continue to “[meet] 100% of demonstrated financial need for families who do not qualify for the Brandeis Commitment program due to income or atypical assets.”

According to the University website, Brandeis’ tuition is currently $67,082, with the total including the most basic meal plan and a double dorm room landing at $87,624.

Brandeis defines total income to include “family’s adjusted gross income for the tax year applicable to each academic year (e.g., 2023 for the [2025-2026 academic year]) plus all sources of untaxed income.” The website specifies that a “family” includes both biological and adoptive parents, as well as stepparents in some cases. The Brandeis Commitment program includes a mix of grants and scholarships that include “both need and merit-based gift funds (funds that do not need to be repaid) from Brandeis, as well as federal, state and private sources.” Additionally, the Commitment program takes into account typical asset notation, meaning that if a family has significant assets above “what is typical for their income level,” they may not qualify for the program but will still qualify for need based aid. Assets can include “cash, savings, investments, home equity, business net worth, other real estate and any other assets.” 

In order to be considered for the Brandeis Commitment Program, students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, College Scholarship Service and submit the needed tax returns. Students will need to re-apply every year, but families will remain eligible as long as they continue to “meet the total income and asset criteria.”

International students, graduate students and commuter students who live with relatives will not be eligible for this program. International students are able to apply for standard aid throughout the application process and graduate students may be eligible for aid from their respective schools. Students who commute from home do not qualify “due to the much lower cost associated with this housing option.” 

This program is not available for any current Brandeis students as it has been added as a part of the application process. However, the website claims that “Because Brandeis meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all current students, while not eligible for the Brandeis Commitment, current students are already benefiting from similar levels of aid.” The website explains that the purpose of this program is to “mitigate uncertainty for prospective students and their families around the cost of attendance.”