Some students can attend Wake Forest tuition-free, university says

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — Wake Forest University announced that some admitted North Carolina undergraduates can attend tuition-free starting in the 2026 fall semester.  

The initiative, called the North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest University, would be for students whose families have annual incomes less than $200,000 per year.

The university said that under the initiative:

• Tuition and standard living expenses will be covered for students admitted from North Carolina whose annual family income is $100,000 or less.
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• Tuition will be covered for students admitted from North Carolina whose annual family income is between $100,000 and $200,000. However, those students would have to pay standard living expenses and applicable fees.
• Fifty percent of tuition will be covered for students admitted from North Carolina whose annual family income is between $200,000 and $300,000.

“The North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest University demonstrates our deep commitment to students from our home state,” President Susan R. Wente said. “It says clearly to students and families who may not have considered Wake Forest because of cost: ‘Wake Forest is within your reach.’”

Vice President for Enrollment Eric Maguire said the university seeks to be affordable, particularly for North Carolina families.

“More of our undergraduate students come from North Carolina than from any other state,” Maguire said. “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.”

Wente expressed her gratitude to donors who support the university.

“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,” she said.