Campbell to offer free tuition for Harnett County residents

Learn more and apply: Tuition-Free Guarantee for Harnett County Residents

New first-year, full-time students who reside in Harnett County will have 100 percent of their undergraduate tuition covered by Campbell University beginning in 2026, the University announced today.

The Campbell University Tuition-Free Guarantee for Harnett County Residents initiative reflects Campbell's commitment to expanding access, supporting local students and families and investing in future leaders who will serve and shape our communities.

"As Campbell University implements a new and aggressive recruitment strategy that extends our geographic reach across North Carolina, around the southeast and indeed throughout the nation, we want to simultaneously rededicate ourselves to the local county that has nurtured our school for the last 138 years," said President Dr. William M. Downs. "Harnett is home. With this new initiative, we signal to the neighbors in our own backyard that Campbell can and should be their home, their destination of first choice when deciding on where to get a world-class college education.

"We know that access and affordability are key concerns for college-seekers, and Campbell will be rolling out a variety of new incentives for multiple constituencies, all while maintaining the exceptionally high value associated with the quality of a Campbell education."

Beginning in fall 2026, incoming new full-time students who reside in Harnett County will have their full tuition covered for up to four years (eight semesters). The award is provided entirely through scholarships and grants (including any institutional, federal and state grants or scholarships). Student and parent loans are not packaged or included as part of the guarantee.

To qualify for the guarantee, students must:

• Be admitted as a first-time, full-time undergraduate,
• Be a resident of Harnett County,
• Live on campus,
• Enroll full-time in a traditional undergraduate program, and
• File for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) using Campbell's FAFSA code 002913.

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Current Campbell students, online students and graduate students will not be eligible for the guarantee. The program also does not cover housing and meals, books and course material, personal expenses, summer courses, general fees and specialized program or technology fees.

Vice President for Enrollment Management Dean Clark said the initiative is about more than financial support - it's a promise to Harnett County students that Campbell University believes in their future.

"By guaranteeing tuition coverage, we are investing in the next generation of leaders who will shape our communities, our workforce and our region for years to come," Clark said.

Harnett County is home to six public high schools - Harnett Central, Harnett County Early College, Overhills, STAR Academy, Triton and Western Harnett high schools - and several smaller private high schools. The county's population has grown by more than 20 percent since 2010, and in 2022 the county was home to nearly 30,000 school-aged children and teens.

Harnett County Schools Superintendent W. Brooks Matthews called Campbell's Tuition-Free Guarantee a "transformational opportunity" for students and families of the area.

"As a proud Campbell University graduate myself, I know firsthand the profound impact this institution has on our community and the doors it can open for young people," Matthews said. "This bold investment ensures that students who may have once believed college was out of reach will now have access to a world-class education without the burden of tuition.

"Harnett County Schools is proud to support this effort, and we look forward to working closely with Campbell University to ensure every eligible student understands and can take full advantage of this remarkable program. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to expanding opportunity, supporting local families and preparing global leaders who will strengthen their communities for generations to come."

To learn more, visit campbell.edu/admissions/undergraduate/high-school-student/harnett-county-tuition-free-guarantee/or email [email protected].