Every year, brilliant students arrive at Emory ready to discover, create, and serve. Emory Advantage Plus ensures financial circumstances don’t limit their success. Beginning in fall 2026, domestic undergraduates from families earning up to $200,000 can pursue an Emory education tuition-free.
Making College Possible
Across the United States, the rising cost of higher education is outpacing family income growth. Tuition, housing, and related expenses have climbed steadily over the past two decades, leaving many students facing difficult choices. The reality is that families can earn too much to qualify for generous federal or state aid but too little to absorb the full cost of college without hardship.
Replacing loans to cover tuition with scholarship support gives students the freedom to focus fully on their education without taking on student debt.
Strengthening Emory and Georgia
Emory Advantage Plus strengthens both the university and the Georgia economy. By offering one of the most generous financial aid packages in the country, the program removes barriers, attracting top students nationwide while keeping more of Georgia’s best and brightest at home. For Georgia families, that means greater access to an Emory education, with students more likely to pursue internships and launch their careers in the state.
These students contribute to Georgia’s workforce and civic life — while at Emory and after graduation — and the program supports their retention, helping them complete their degrees without going into debt.
Evolving Impact
Emory Advantage Plus builds on a tradition of student support. Since Emory Advantage launched in 2007, grew in 2011, and expanded again in 2022, the total has reached $151 million, replacing loans with grants for approximately 3,300 students.
Currently around 40 percent of undergraduates receive Emory Advantage. Of these, 60 percent have scholarships that cover or exceed full tuition. Under Emory Advantage Plus, that share will rise to 80 percent, helping even more students pursue their education without financial stress.
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Philanthropy drives Emory Advantage Plus. Emory is providing the initial seed funding to launch this transformative program, but sustaining it over the long term will rely on the generosity of donors. Every gift ensures that more students can pursue their education without taking on debt, continuing Emory’s tradition of academic excellence and service.
Affordability Matters
FAQs
What is Emory Advantage Plus?
Emory Advantage Plus is a major expansion of the Emory Advantage program. Starting in fall 2026, undergraduate students from families with incomes below $200,000 can attend Emory tuition-free.
Who is eligible for Emory Advantage Plus?
This program is open to all domestic undergraduate students enrolled in Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Oxford College, Goizueta Business School’s BBA program, and Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing undergraduate program. The tuition-free scholarship is good for up to eight semesters. All incoming, returning, and transfer undergraduate students who meet income requirements and are eligible for need-based aid will be eligible for Emory Advantage Plus.
What does Emory Advantage Plus cover?
Emory Advantage Plus covers at least full tuition for fall and spring semesters, through a variety of grant and scholarship aid sources (federal, state, institutional).
Why is Emory Advantage Plus important to Emory and our students?
Emory Advantage Plus reflects Emory’s commitment to ensuring that cost is never the deciding factor for talented students and families. By expanding access for households earning up to $200,000, the program:
- Closes the affordability gap for strong students who may not qualify for the highest levels of need-based aid but still face significant barriers.
- Keeps more of the best and brightest in Georgia here at home, strengthening our state’s future workforce and civic life.
- Attracts talented students to Georgia from all over the country.
- Allows Emory to compete on cost with flagship state schools like Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia.
- Helps middle-income families across the country afford an Emory education.
- Underscores that merit, not money, should determine where students learn and lead.
- Positions Emory among the nation’s leaders in college affordability.
What role does philanthropy play?
While Emory is providing seed funding to launch Emory Advantage Plus through the operating budget, philanthropy is essential to sustain and grow the program. Unmet need, and Emory’s fundraising goal for this initiative is equivalent to $9M annually or $250M in endowed funds. Gifts to scholarships make the program permanent, protecting it against market fluctuations, inflation, or competing budget priorities. Every gift — expendable or endowed — helps remove financial barriers and fuels the success of our students.
When does Emory Advantage Plus go into effect?
Emory Advantage Plus will start in fall 2026, for the 2026–27 academic year.
