Cooper Union seniors get free tuition

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art announced Tuesday that it will provide free tuition for all seniors over the next four years, a plan it aims to extend to all undergraduates.

The move is a nod to the small New York college’s roots; Cooper Union provided free tuition for most of its 165-year history before reversing course almost a decade ago. When officials began charging tuition, they cited the need to tackle a financial deficit. The deeply unpopular move stunned students; five board members and the president resigned amid the fallout in 2015.

In 2018, under new leadership, Cooper Union announced plans to return to a tuition-free model. Administrators intend to provide full-tuition scholarships to all students by the 2028–29 academic year, and current seniors will receive a refund on any tuition already paid this year.

“In 2018, we began an ambitious journey to provide full-tuition scholarships for all of our undergraduate students,” President Laura Sparks said in Tuesday’s announcement. “The response to our plan and the dedication of Cooper Union alumni and New York City funders have been tremendous. Thanks to the generosity of three extraordinary alumni donors, we are removing a major financial burden for our graduating classes and reaffirming the ideals that have been foundational to this institution since Peter Cooper opened its doors in 1859.”