Their future, fully funded.

Berea College is revolutionizing the economics of higher education.And donors make it possible.

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We are the first college in the country to exclusively admit students with unlimited potential and limited resources, and to provide every student with a fully funded scholarship—covering tuition, housing, food, and fees, without loans and without limits.

Rooted in access, affordability, and opportunity, Berea’s Financial Freedom Pledge is our bold and unmatched financial aid framework that funds 100% of tuition, housing, food, and fees without loans.

Berea’s Financial Freedom Pledge

A Legacy of Bold Ideas

We are the oldest continuously tuition-free college in the country—and we are ready to build on this bold legacy.

  1. 1892

    In 1892, Berea College stopped charging tuition, ensuring that our students would not be held back from their educational dreams by educational costs.

  2. 2027

    Beginning in Fall 2027, Berea will take this commitment even further by becoming the first college in the country to provide every enrolled student with a fully funded, no-loan degree.

At Berea, talent—not income—determines opportunity.

Draper Building on the Berea College campus

A New Financial Aid Economics

Over four years, Berea’s Financial Freedom Pledge provides every student with a fully funded degree. Our comprehensive, no-loan financial aid package combines your gift, whether given today or invested through our endowment, with federal and state grants, personal scholarships, and other awards to eliminate the cost of attendance.

Berea also fully funds what we call our Premier Perks, including

  • A laptop
  • A summer internship
  • Professional clothing
  • Conference attendance
  • And much more

Our goal is to open the door to endless possibilities.

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“At Berea, higher education is not about economics—it is about experiences. It is not about term bills—it is about transformation. It is not about costs—it is about community. It is about our enduring commitment to every student and the future they imagine for themselves.”
—Dr. Cheryl Nixon, President, Berea College
Dr. Cheryl Nixon, Berea College President

Your Gift Creates Financial Freedom

Financial freedom means students can choose the major they love, not the one they think will help pay off debt. Your gift allows students to say yes to research, internships, and study away, leadership, and service. They can fully participate in everything Berea has to offer. That’s what a fully funded degree makes possible.

We call this Financial Freedom.

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