Tuition will increase next year to $33, 110, a 2.9 percent rise, Harvard announced yesterday. But the percentage increase is the smallest since 1968, even smaller than last year's 3.3 percent increase.

This is the ninth consecutive year in which the rate of increase has declined. The rate of increase is still higher than the rate of inflation over the last year--which has stood at 2.4 percent. In the last 20 years, the average rate of increase for Harvard's tuition has been close to 8 percent.

Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Jeremy R. Knowles said in a press release that Harvard, which has a $14.4 billion endowment, strives to maintain affordability for all of its students.

According to the press release, "Harvard continues to devote major institutional funds to undergraduate financial aid--more than $52 million in direct grants in 1999-2000--so that a Harvard College education remains affordable for students from every socio-economic background."

Harvard maintains a "need-blind" admissions process in which ability to pay is not considered during the application process. Harvard also pledges to meet the demonstrated financial needs of all admitted students.

More than two-thirds of students at Harvard receive financial aid, according to the press release.

Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Marlyn McGrath Lewis '70-'73 reiterated Harvard's commitment to help students pay for their education yesterday.

"Harvard assesses each student's ability to pay and then meets their need 100 percent. That is the policy of our need-based financial system," she said.