Brown has a strong commitment to access and ensuring that students from all backgrounds can thrive. However, the current financial aid structure leaves out a group of families whose financial realities are not fully reflected in the existing financial aid policies. 

Families earning between $60,000 and $100,000 often face significant financial pressure. Although they are above the current threshold for zero parental contribution, many do not have the capacity to contribute at the expected levels. As a result, relatively small differences in income can lead to disproportionately large differences in financial burden. This affects both enrollment decisions and students’ ability to participate in the Brown experience to their full extent.

At the same time, Brown’s current threshold is the lowest among Ivy League Institutions. Peer schools such as Harvard and Yale have set their zero parental contribution thresholds at $100,000, while Dartmouth, with a comparable endowment to Brown, has expanded its threshold to $125,000. These benchmarks reflect a broader shift toward supporting middle-income families and ensuring that financial aid policies align with current economic realities. 

Brown’s position at the lowest end of this range highlights a clear opportunity for improvement. Raising the zero parental contribution threshold to at least $100,000 would bring Brown in line with peer institutions while reflecting a more realistic understanding of families’ financial circumstances.

This change would:

• Expand access for lower and middle-income students
• Reduce financial strain and unmet need
• Support students’ ability to fully engage in their education
• Strengthen Brown’s competitiveness among peer institutions

This proposal is a targeted and practical step toward aligning Brown’s financial aid policies with both its institutional values and evolving standards set by our peer institutions. 

Join us in urging Brown’s administration to prioritize this essential update in support of current and future Brunonians. By doing so, we can help ensure a Brown education remains an accessible and attainable dream for all.

We invite students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, and prospective students to support this effort by signing this petition.