Friday Morning: Penn raises tuition, expands financial aid

Friday, February 28

Good morning, Penn.

Happy Friday, Penn! As we prepare for midterms, make sure to take care of yourself and your mental health. Remember, only one more week until Spring Break!

The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke to political clubs on campus to understand how they’re approaching 1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, and the Faculty Senate hosted the second event of their three-part Spring colloquium series on the future of higher education.

But first, the University Board of Trustees voted on Thursday to raise tuition rates for the next academic year and expand financial aid funding.

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TODAY'S TOP STORY

Photo by Jean Park

Penn to raise tuition by 3.7% for 2025-26 academic year, expand financial aid

The Board of Trustees approved a 3.7% undergraduate tuition increase for the 2025-26 academic year alongside an increase to the undergraduate financial aid budget.

In line with its new financial aid policy, “The Quaker Commitment,” Penn will no longer consider the value of primary family homes in determining financial aid eligibility. Penn will also raise the income threshold for full tuition scholarships from $140,000 to $200,000.

The new policy comes as Penn faces financial uncertainty amid federal funding cuts. Recently, administrators in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Perelman School of Medicine instructed faculty to reduce and rescind graduate admissions.

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FOUR MORE BIG STORIES

The DP spoke with four political student groups on campus to learn about how they are approaching shifting immigration policies.

The Faculty Senate hosted a panel of academic leaders and researchers to discuss the value of higher education.

Penn Libraries will host a fieldwork showcase of student photography at the Penn Museum.

Perry World House hosted New York University professor of History and Italian Studies Ruth Ben-Ghiat in a discussion about rising authoritarianism and democratic backsliding.

OPINION

Photo by Grace Chen

DP OPINION EDITOR JACK LA KIS introduces the DP’s new spring 2025 columnists.

SPORTS

In a dominant 14-3 victory for women's lacrosse, senior midfielder Anna Brandt scored her 149th goal to become Penn’s all-time leading goal-scorer.

Junior hurdler Shane Gardner is ready to break more records this indoor track and field championship season.

IN PHOTOS

Photo Illustration by Jean Park and J. Stuart Dickstein

One hundred and forty-six years after the first Black students were admitted, the DP took a look at the history of student and faculty activism to combat racism and spotlight Black identity at Penn.

TODAY IN DP HISTORY

Photo by Eric Zeng

In 2019, the Board of Trustees approved a 3.9% increase in undergraduate tuition and a then-record $247 million financial aid budget. Yesterday, the Board of Trustees similarly approved a 3.7% increase in undergraduate tuition and a record $328 million financial aid budget for the 2025-26 academic year.

THIS WEEK IN PRINT

Missed this week’s print issue? Read the DP’s weekly paper online here.

TAKE A BREATHER

Click here to play today’s DP mini crossword, which was constructed by Nina Becket.

And click here to play today’s Password puzzle, which was constructed by Andrew Zhang.

FROM 34TH STREET MAGAZINE

One of my most irrational fears is that a version of me exists out there, and she’s suffering. Thus, I love the stress I incur with every new episode of “Severance.” The Apple TV+ show, whose second season is currently being rolled out, is inescapable — and rightfully so. Britt Lower and John Turturro have stolen the hearts of young lesbians everywhere. Isaac Pollock, current senior staff writer and famously, former Film & TV editor, has written a recap article for every episode, updated on our website weekly.

FROM UNDER THE BUTTON

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Today's newsletter was copy edited by Asha Chawla.

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