According to the wizarding world lore and clarifications from J.K. Rowling, Hogwarts is free to attend for all students who possess magical ability. The Ministry of Magic pays for the entire cost of magical education, including tuition and boarding, ensuring that no young wizard or witch is left without the training needed to control their magic. However, families are still responsible for "school supplies," which in 2026 would be equivalent to several thousand dollars. Students must purchase their own wands, robes, cauldrons, crystal vials, telescopes, and expensive textbooks. While the Weasley family famously relied on "hand-me-downs" to manage these costs, the school itself remains a publicly funded institution. For Muggle-born students, the Ministry often assists with the transition to wizarding currency to ensure they can afford the necessary equipment for their seven years of study.