JWU Expands Access to Free Tuition Initiative for Eligible Undergraduate Students in More States

PRESS RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. AND CHARLOTTE, NC — April 23, 2025 – Johnson & Wales University has expanded access to its new free tuition initiative for qualifying undergraduate students to residents of four additional states. The JWU Pledge covers up to 100 percent of tuition for eligible students and families with an annual household income of up to $80,000 and at least 60 percent of tuition for those with a household income below $200,000.

The initiative goes into effect for undergraduate students starting in Fall 2025. Previously only available to residents of Rhode Island, North Carolina, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, it is now additionally open to students from Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and South Carolina.

“At Johnson & Wales, we are creating pathways to make higher education more affordable, accessible, and attainable for students of all means and backgrounds,” said Chancellor Mim Runey, LP.D. “This new initiative, combined with our recently launched three-year degree programs, demonstrates the university’s deep commitment to our educational mission of expanding lifelong access to higher education.”

There has been great interest from prospective students and their families since Johnson & Wales first announced the initiative in January 2025.

To be eligible for the JWU Pledge program, students must:

• Be a resident of Rhode Island, North Carolina, South Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine
• Have a high school GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and all requisite forms
• Live on campus
• Be eligible for a Pell Grant (for those seeking 100 percent tuition coverage)

The JWU Pledge combines institutional, federal, and state scholarships and grants to cover a qualifying student’s tuition, either partially or completely based on their household income bracket. Currently, the program extends to families who live in New England states: Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and North Carolina and South Carolina. The initiative does not include loans, although families may decide to pursue them in addition to the JWU Pledge to help cover other costs, such as housing and meal plans. Learn more about the initiative here.

In addition to students applying for the traditional four-year bachelor’s degree, students applying for one of the four majors offered under the new Career-Focused Bachelor’s degrees (90-96 credits) are also eligible for this assistance if they qualify. 

This new initiative comes just two months after the launch of JWU’s Career-Focused Bachelor's Degree programs, an innovative approach to undergraduate learning that allows students in selected programs to earn their degree in just three years. Learn more here.

About JWU

Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design. JWU’s unique model provides students with personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at JWU is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide.

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Providence: Rachel Nunes, Senior Communications & Media Relations Specialist (O) 401-598-2752, (C) 401-895-7364  

Charlotte: Jill Smith, Director of Communications & Media Relations (C) 704-340-3273