As America approaches its 250th birthday, Ursinus College is investing in its history and future.
In a new initiative known as the America250 Tuition Promise for Montgomery County, eligible incoming freshmen for Fall 2026 will pay no more than $10,000 per year to attend Ursinus. To qualify, prospective students must live in Montgomery County, file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and live on campus all four years; should students continue to fulfill these requirements, the promise will extend for these students for up to four years.
According to the new America250 Tuition Promise for Montgomery County page on Ursinus’ website, the college will implement this promise by “ensuring that the difference between tuition ($61,500 for 2026-2027) and gift aid (combined federal, state, and institutional scholarships and grants) will be no higher than $10,000 in any of the four years that a student attends and meets the eligibility criteria,” and incoming students who plan to commute may request to be reassessed for eligibility by emailing their Admissions counselor or the Office of Financial Aid. The $61,500 tuition for 2026-2027 reflects no increase from the tuition for 2025-2026; per-year tuition has increased by 11.3% since 20202021.
This initiative comes in the wake of recent discussion about reduced enrollment and retention, as well as much concern among students, faculty, and staff alike about Ursinus’s financial status as a whole.
Lauren Sciocchetti, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, said via an Ursinus news post, “This program is about removing uncertainty for families and sending a clear message to our local Montgomery County students that Ursinus is invested in them. As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, we’re proud to honor our region’s history by making an Ursinus education more accessible to the students who live, learn, and contribute here.” Montgomery County played a significant role in the Revolutionary War; historical sites include Valley Forge National Historical Park, Indenhofen House, Pennypacker Mills, and, a short walk from campus, Historic Trappe.
Current students will not be evaluated for eligibility for the America250 Tuition Promise; the Ursinus website notes that they “continue to receive generous merit- and need-based financial aid, helping make their education affordable throughout their time at Ursinus.” Last year, first-years received an average of $41,000 of institutional aid, and 99% of students received some form of aid. The college will announce whether the America250 Tuition Promise will be continued for future incoming classes in the summer of 2026.