Grand Canyon Times

Northern Arizona University (NAU) will waive its tuition fee for eligible students.

The university revealed in late April that if a household receives an annual income of $65,000 or below, a student who lives there will be offered a tuition-free college education, according to a news release. Approximately 50% of Arizona residents fall under this category.

“If you are an Arizona resident and live in a household where your family income is at or below $65,000 per year, which is the current median for the state, you have an opportunity to come to NAU — tuition-free,” José Cruz Rivera, president of the university, said in the news release.

“NAU’s Access2Excellence initiative is a transformative step to help bridge our state’s attainment gap and provide an affordable pathway to college, ensuring Arizona develops and retains talent that can participate in the high-tech, high-skill jobs that power the economy of the future,” Neil Giuliano, president and CEO of Greater Phoenix Leadership, said.

The change will take effect starting in fall 2023 for all transfer students and first-year students. 

“Affordability of college is top of mind for many, and this program ensures that tuition is not a barrier,” Cruz Rivera said. “It’s the embodiment of our university’s commitment to excellence and delivering equitable postsecondary value to all our students. NAU’s high-quality academic programs and exceptional services support students in achieving transformative post-college outcomes.”

Lyndel Manson, chair of the Arizona Board of Regents, spoke about the news as well.

“The Access2Excellence initiative underscores NAU’s commitment to eliminate obstacles that undermine the college-going aspirations of students from diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds,” she said. “I’m thrilled that NAU is taking the lead in showing Arizona students and families that college is attainable and affordable — and that college is a real option for them.”