Not always - 3 of my kids got awards that paid for their entire 'tuition' at a good state school in New England (USA). The 'tuition' was $1800/year - the fees added on another $14K, and then the housing and food added another $10K on top of that -

The state kept advertising how kids could get 'free tuition' if the met the academic requirements (combination of testing high enough and overall GPA) - but in reality, it worked out to less than 10% of the actual cost of attending this in-state, public university.

Was still nice to get the $1,800 off the bill, but it was hardly 'free tuition'.

PS: Not criticizing this medical school plan - just pointing out that the definition of tuition can, and does, vary - even in the USA.