Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 after entrepreneur and philanthropist Johns Hopkins left a $7 million bequest in his will to establish the university and a hospital. At the time, it was the largest philanthropic donation in U.S. history. Today, the university continues to advance Hopkins’ mission: to educate students, foster independent and original research and bring the benefits of discovery to the world.
In recent years, philanthropic gifts have expanded opportunities for students, reinforcing the university’s commitment to making education available based on merit, not means.
Johns Hopkins Tuition Promise Program Expands Free Tuition to More Students
Johns Hopkins University’s commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation has led to major breakthroughs in science and medicine. The university consistently ranks among the top institutions in federal research and development funding. To attract the best talent to support this research, Johns Hopkins offers no-loan financial aid to students who meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need.
In 2025, Johns Hopkins announced an expansion of free tuition through its tuition promise program. The program provides free tuition to all undergraduate students from families earning up to $200,000 annually, covering students from more than 85% of U.S. households. Students from families earning up to $100,000 will receive additional support to cover fees and living expenses. The program will take effect in spring 2026 for eligible students and in the 2026-2027 academic year for new students.
These advancements in financial aid are made possible in part by a $1.8 billion gift from alumnus Michael R. Bloomberg in 2018. Such philanthropic support continues Johns Hopkins’ legacy of expanding access to higher education and advancing reform through opportunities.
Other Philanthropic Gifts That Have Made Higher Education More Affordable
Philanthropic giving is central not only to Johns Hopkins’ mission, but to support educational institutions and students around the U.S. Creating educational opportunities for younger generations is a core focus of Robert F. Smith’s philanthropy.
Smith made a philanthropic gift to eliminate the student loan debt of Morehouse College’s 2019 graduating class, including the debt incurred by their parents and guardians. As Chairman of Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), he continues to make college more affordable for students at other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). SFI is a student-centered, evidence-based and holistic tax-exempt nonprofit dedicated to freeing students from the burden of student loan debt.
Other philanthropists have made similar commitments, including:
- In 2025, the Dimond family endowed $13 million to fund scholarships at the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration.
- In 2024, Dr. Ruth Gottesman donated $1 billion to establish the David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Scholarship Fund at Einstein College of Medicine. The fund covers tuition and fees for medical students attending the school in perpetuity.
- In 2025, the Moody Foundation donated $150 million to Huston-Tillotson University in celebration of the school’s 150th Anniversary.