Starting Fall 2019, Rice University will offer free tuition for students whose household incomes are between $65,000-$130,000. Rice will also cover other expenses such as boarding and meal plans for any student whose family makes less than $65,000 a year.

“This opens the door for many low to middle income families to allow the students to receive a top tier education,” lead counselor Julie Presley said. “Many of the students in this income bracket make the decision on where to go to school based on where they can afford.”

Rice is a private university in Houston and is one of the most prestigious universities in the nation, with an acceptance rate of 16 percent and more than 50 majors. Besides having a strong academic standing, Rice is also expensive. Without any financial aid, tuition is roughly $47,363 a year. Add on other expenses, which would come to about $16,919, and the yearly cost of attendance is $64,282.

“I’m excited that more students will have the opportunity for a top tier education,” counselor Christine Campbell said. “The financial burden of college can greatly influence the decision of where to apply and attend.”

According to Rice President David Leebron, the university wants to provide more opportunities for students who are exceptionally smart but aren’t able to afford the school’s hefty tuition.

“I think that by providing more financial aid, more eligible students will apply,” Campbell said. “Colleges are looking for students with exceptional academic ability and want to minimize the financial barrier as much as possible.”

In order to apply to Rice, students must submit either a Coalition Application or Common Application and pay a $75 application fee. They must also send in their transcripts, grades from the first six weeks of senior year, SAT/ACT scores, the Rice writing supplement, two teacher recommendations, and a counselor recommendation. Scheduling an admission interview is also optional. Early decision applications are due by Nov. 1, while regular decision applications are due Jan. 1. However, ACT scores for early decision are due Oct. 27 while SAT scores are due Nov. 3. For regular decision, SAT scores are due Dec. 1 while ACT scores are due Dec. 18. More information can be found here: https://admission.rice.edu/apply/freshman

Editors Note: This story was selected as a Best of SNO piece which showcases the top student work being produced by members of the SNO Network.