The United States Department of Education provides about $112 billion annually as financial aid to pay for college. In addition to this, students can also benefit from some of the best online colleges with grants.
Grants can be need-based or Non-need based and are great for funding your education without thinking about paying back. You can receive grants from the federal government, state government, your institution of study, and private/commercial organizations.
This article provides you with the necessary information about some of the best online colleges that offer grants to their students.
Additionally, you’ll also receive some valuable insights that will inspire you to explore other financial aids available to you as an online student.
For starters, let’s get you up to speed on the important things you should know about online colleges with grants. You may be in search of the best online colleges with grants but you need to know where and how to find them. Let’s show you how below.
Table of Contents
How to Find Grants in Online Colleges
Finding the best online colleges with grants can be tedious if you don’t know where and how to search for them.
The truth is that grants can be found in more than one place and through so many means like:
1. College Grants in High School
Students in High schools can begin to explore online college grants that may be made available to them through their High school, affiliated institutions, NGOs, or government agencies. This will require you to apply for these online college grants when it is brought to your knowledge by your high school.
2. Chegg
Chegg is a database of scholarships, grants, and Competitions for both High schools and Colleges. There are over 25,000 available scholarships and grants on the site and students can easily find them by using certain filters on the user-friendly website.
3. Scholarships.com
Another platform where you can find Grants and scholarships for your study in online colleges is scholarships.com.
When you get to the site, choose the filters for the kind of grants or scholarships you want and the site will provide you with a list of scholarships related to your search.
4. College Board
On this platform, you can find so many online college grants and scholarships. In addition to these grants and scholarships, you can also find useful resources and materials for your education. Individuals can do a lot on the site like:
- Scholarship Search
- BigFuture Scholarships
- Scholarships, Grants, and Loans
- Financial Aid Awards.
5. Fastweb
This is a free and reputable scholarship platform where students can find vast grants, scholarships, and other financial aids. The site also offers internships, student news, student discounts, etc.
6. Guidance, Counsellors, and Teachers
Another great way to find grant opportunities is from your teachers and counselors at school. If you can gain access to your school’s faculty members and tell them what your intentions are, then they may offer you valuable information that can help you find a grant to fund your online college program.
7. Ask Your Online College Directly
If you already have an online college in mind that you wish to study in, it may be a great idea to ask them about their grant policies.
Some online colleges offer their own grants and other financial aids as well to their students. Reach out to the financial aid department of the college and ask questions.
Other Financial Assistance Available to Online College Students
If you feel like you’re not ready to invest your time in search of grants at the moment, there are other alternatives you can try. They include:
1. Financial Aid
The tuition fee on some online colleges’ websites may seem so outrageous to you, and you’re wondering how people are able to afford it.
The truth is that most students don’t pay the exact tuition fee that is published on the website. Such online colleges usually offer eligible students financial aid. These financial aid cover part or all of the financial expenses of these students.
Some types of financial aid include:
- Federal government Financial Aid.
- State-sponsored Financial Aid
- Student loans
2. Student Work-Study Programs
Work-Study Programs are usually college job opportunities that assist students to pay for their studies. These jobs could be online or offline depending on your employer and are usually related to what you study.
3. Student Loans
The federal loan program of the Department of Education is another financial assistance you can leverage.
With these loans, you can pay for your education and repay at a lower interest rate.
Other financial aids include:
- Special Aid for Military Families/Members.
- International Students’ Special Assistance
- Families and Students Tax Benefits.
List of the 10 Best Online Colleges with Grants
Below is a list of the best online colleges with grants:
- University of California-Irvine
- University of Mississippi
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- University of Texas-Austin
- San Jose State University
- Florida State University
- Cornell College
- Tufts University
- SUNY Binghamton
- Loyola Marymount.
Overview of the Best Online Colleges with Grants
Below are a few things you should know about some of the best online colleges with grants we listed earlier.
1. University of California-Irvine
The University of California-Irvine boasts that 72% of its students receive grants and scholarships. Over 57% of its students don’t pay tuition.
The University of California-Irvine makes use of ScholarshipUniverse to offer students safe opportunities that match their credentials.
Below are the steps to apply:
- Login into the student’s portal
- Set up your profile
- Create your dashboard
- From your Dashboard, you’ll be able to view all available scholarships/grants that are a good match for you.
- Apply for the scholarships/grant.
2. University of Mississippi
If you’re the kind of person who loves to have so many options, then the University of Mississippi might just have what you’re looking for. Undergraduate Students at the University of Mississippi have a variety of grants they can apply for.
These grants include:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
- Complete 2 Compete Tuition Assistance Grant (C2C)
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (TEACH)
- Higher Education Legislative Plan For Needy Students (HELP)
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG)
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
- Nissan Scholarship (NISS)
- Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers & Firemen Scholarship (LAW).
3. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Grants at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor are often awarded based on financial need. However, there are also some scholarships and grants which students can earn if they meet certain eligibility criteria or fit into the purpose of the grant.
The office of financial aid at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is responsible for administering grants to students. On your admission into the university, you’ll be considered for any available grant. Students who wish to be considered for need-based grants are expected to have submitted an application for FAFSA and CSS profile.
4. University of Texas-Austin
In-state students of the University of Texas at Austin are usually the recipients of institution-sponsored grants. Students who wish to enjoy this grant must submit their FAFSA annually to stand a chance.
Other grants available at the university include; Federal government-sponsored grants and state-sponsored grants which students with financial needs can apply for.
5. San Jose State University
The State University Grant (SUG) program at the San Jose State University is designed to help students of the California state university pay for tuition.
However, students who applied for special sessions, or have received similar financial aid are exempted from the grant. Students who wish to be considered must meet laid-out criteria and follow the necessary guidelines.
6. Florida State University
Consideration for grants at the Florida State University is strictly for students who have completed their FAFSA application.
Admitted students at Florida State University can enjoy other financial assistance from the university’s participation in Federal, state, and FSU institutional grants.
7. Cornell College
Student Grants at Cornell College come from various sources like Alumni donations, endowments, gifts, and general funds as well. There’s however, no maximum or minimum amount for the grants students receive. The institution uses a case-by-case basis to determine students who will receive these need-based grants. To stand a chance for consideration, you’ll have to apply for financial aid at the college.
8. Tufts University
Undergraduates at Tufts university gain their largest grants from the institution’s own grant. You could receive grants from the institution which range from $1,000 to $75,000 and above. Other sources of grants for college students at Tufts include federal, state, and private grants.
9. SUNY Binghamton
Undergraduates at the State University of New York can earn grants by applying for and submitting the FAFSA.
Eligible Students usually receive additional financial assistance apart from the grant.
To be eligible, you must ensure that you meet the federal and/or New York state Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. If you don’t meet the SAP requirements, you can also seek an appeal.
10. Loyola Marymount
Funding your education at Loyola Marymount can become much easier for you through the LMU grant and other state and federal government grants in which the school participates in. Additionally, students also receive some commercial and private grants.
To be considered for these grants, you are expected to apply for them separately and also apply for the FAFSA as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does FAFSA cover online courses?
Yes. Often, accredited Online Colleges also accept the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) like traditional universities and colleges do. This means that as a student of an online college, you'll also be eligible for any financial assistance which may require FAFSA.
2. What is the best way to get free money for college?
In this article, we have highlighted some financial assistance that may help you pay for your education. Nevertheless, if you're in search of free/non-refundable money for college, you can use the following options: Grants, Scholarships, Sponsorship, Financial aid, Private/commercial funding from the charity, Community-funded College Education, Corporate Tuition Reimbursement From Your Employer, College Tuition Tax Breaks, No-Loan Colleges, Competition with scholarship rewards.
3. What is the age cut off for FAFSA?
FAFSA has no age limit. Everyone who meets the requirements for federal student aid and has successfully completed their FAFSA application stands a chance to receive it.
4. Is there an Age limit for grants?
It depends on the eligibility requirements of the grant in question. Certain grants may include age limits, while others may not.
5. What disqualifies you from getting financial aid?
There are a couple of things that could disqualify you from earning financial aid, here are some of them: Crimes, Arrest, Serious Federal/State Offense, Ongoing Investigations against you for a serious crime.
Important Recommendations
- 10 Online Colleges That Pay You To Attend
- 20 Fully-funded Undergraduate Scholarships to Aid Students
- 15 Hardship Grants for Single Mothers
- Single Mother Grants for Housing
- Understanding Scholarships, Benefits, and Types
- 30 Best Fully-Funded Scholarships without IELTS.
Conclusion
Grants are just one way to fund your education as an online student.
There are several other ways to fund your online education and we have highlighted them within this article.
Do well to try all your options and enjoy the best financial assistance you can get.
Before you go, we’ll encourage you to check out other resources that will help you further and give you more information and guidance. World Scholars Hub is your Number 1 hub for quality information about education. We hope you had a good read. Let us get your contributions, questions, or know your thoughts in the comment section below!
