Reed College expands free tuition program. Here’s who qualifies

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Starting next fall, even more students will be able to attend Portland’s Reed College tuition-free, making education more accessible with the expansion of their Reed Promise initiative.

The Southeast Portland liberal arts college originally announced the launch of the Reed Promise program in Dec. 2024, offering tuition-free education for newly admitted students from Oregon and Washington from families who earn under $100,000 per year.

Transfer students from the United States are also eligible for the program.

But beginning in Fall 2026, the college says students from anywhere in the United States who fall under those parameters will qualify for the program.

Further, 90% of students from families earning less than $125,000 will also qualify for free tuition. 

According to the school, the program and its current expansion aim to “eliminate financial barriers” that may have prevented potential students from applying or attending Reed to begin with.

“At Reed, we believe in the power of higher education to change lives,” said Reed College President Audrey Bilger. “We like to say, ‘the world needs more Reedies.’ By expanding the Reed Promise nationwide, we will be able to transform even more lives and provide greater access to our vibrant academic program and to our intellectually curious and creative community.”