Earlham College expands free tuition program for Indiana families earning $100K or less 

Indiana students from families with a household income of $100,000 or less can now study at Earlham College tuition free through the INspire Earlham program, beginning with the fall 2027 entering class. 

The expansion of the program reflects Earlham’s ongoing commitment to widening access to a nationally recognized liberal arts education while acknowledging the financial realities facing Indiana families. The new $100,000 household-income threshold is nearly $30,000 above Indiana’s median household income of $71,957, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 

“Earlham’s commitment to Indiana students is about more than making college affordable — it’s about making sure talented students have access to the kind of education and experiences that can change the trajectory of their lives,” said Paul Sniegowski, president of Earlham College and Earlham School of Religion. “By expanding INspire Earlham, we are opening the door to more Indiana families while continuing to invest in the exceptional education, career preparation, and personal growth that define the Earlham experience.” 

Eligible students must be admitted to Earlham, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and apply all applicable federal, state, and institutional financial aid toward the cost of attendance to receive the full benefit of the tuition waiver. 

“Families are looking at the cost of higher education in a very different way than they did even a few years ago,” said Jeff Perkins, vice president for enrollment management, marketing, and communications at Earlham. “Expanding INspire Earlham gives more Indiana students the opportunity to choose Earlham for its nationally recognized liberal arts education, exceptional classroom experience and career-focused opportunities without having cost stand in the way.” 

The INspire Earlham program was launched in 2021 to eliminate tuition costs for eligible Indiana students from families with household incomes of $60,000 or less. The expansion to $100,000 recognizes that families earning above traditional need-based aid thresholds can still face significant challenges in making a private college education affordable. 

Earlham’s Indianapolis Scholars program provides another pathway to an Earlham education for graduates of Indianapolis-area schools, with a preference for first-generation students from the Indianapolis Public School District. Supported by generous donors, the program awards two scholarships each year covering housing and meals. Students must meet Earlham’s admission requirements, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance by March 1, and qualify for INspire Earlham, meaning students selected for this scholarship only pay for required fees, books, supplies, and personal expenses.  

The Earlham Advantage, the College’s four-year student success model, delivers an exceptional national liberal arts experience while helping students connect their education to what comes next. From their first day on campus, students have access to one of the Princeton Review’s top classroom experiences, in addition to personalized career and life design coaching to help them explore their interests, identify their goals, and begin building a path toward life after Earlham. 

The Advantage also includes an offer for every student to receive up to $5,000 in funding for an Epic Experience — a career-focused opportunity such as an internship, research experience, or other career-focused experience designed to help students gain skills, explore possibilities, and get closer to what they want to do. 

Earlham also has strengthened pathways for Indiana students through its partnership with Ivy Tech Community College. Eligible Ivy Tech graduates with associate degrees in biology, chemistry, computer science, business administration, psychology, or human services can transfer to Earlham as juniors with their credits counting toward degree requirements. Students who meet the income requirements for INspire Earlham can also receive the tuition waiver for their remaining time at Earlham — potentially allowing an eligible student to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree with no tuition cost. 

For more information about INspire Earlham and Earlham’s commitment to affordability, visit earlham.edu/cost-affordability. For information about applying to Earlham College, visit earlham.edu/admissions. 

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About Earlham College 

Earlham College and Earlham School of Religion foster a collaborative learning community that inspires and motivates students with transformative opportunities and experiences so they can become catalysts for good in a changing world. Located in Richmond, Indiana, Earlham is one of U.S. News & World Report’s Top 100 national liberal arts colleges and offers one of the top 20 classroom experiences in the nation, according to the Princeton Review.