Cost of studying in USA can be so expensive, that is why World Scholars Hub decided to publish an article on Tuition-Free Universities in USA.
USA is on almost every Student’s study countries list. Infact, USA is one of the most popular study destination in the World. But Students often get discouraged to study in USA because of it’s Institutions outrageous tuition fees.
However, this article focuses on the Universities in USA that offers Free education.
Table of Contents
Are there Tuition-Free Universities in USA?
Some Universities in USA provides programs that help fund the education of USA citizens and residents.
These programs are not available to International Students. However, Applicants from outside USA can apply for Scholarships.
In this article, we listed some of the Scholarships available to International Students in the Tuition-Free Universities in USA. Most of the Scholarships mentioned can be used to cover the cost of tuition and are also renewable.
Read also: 5 US Study Abroad Cities with Low Study Costs.
Why Study in Tuition-Free Universities in USA?
Even with the high cost of education in USA, US citizens and residents can enjoy free education in the Tuition-Free Universities in USA.
The US education system is very good. As a result, US Students enjoy high quality of education and earn a widely recognized degree. Infact, USA is home to most of the World’s top universities.
Also, Universities in USA offers a wide range of programs. As a result, Students have access to any degree course they may like to study.
Work Study Program is also available to Students with financial need. The program enables Students to work and earn income while studying. Work Study Program is available in most of the Universities listed here.
List of the Top 15 Tuition-Free Universities in USA you would definitely love
Below are 15 Tuition-Free Universities in USA:
1. University of Illinois
University of Illinois provides free education to Illinois residents through Illinois Commitment.
The Illinois Commitment is a financial aid package that provides scholarships and grants to cover tuition and campus fees. The Commitment is available to Students who are Illinois residents and have a family income of $67,000 or less.
Illinois Commitment will cover tuition and campus fees for new freshmen for four years and transfer students for three years. The Commitment does not cover other educational expenses like room and board, books and supplies and personal expenses.
However, Students receiving Illinois Commitment will be considered for additional financial aid to cover other educational expenses.
Illinois Commitment funding is only available for fall and spring semester. Also, this program is only for full time undergraduate students earning their first bachelor’s degree.
Scholarship available to International Students:
The Provost Scholarship is a merit based scholarship available to incoming freshmen. It covers cost of full tuition and also renewable for four years, provides you maintain a 3.0 GPA.
2. University of Washington
The University is one of the World’s preeminent public university. UW guarantees Washington Students free education through Husky Promise.
The Husky Promise guarantees full tuition and standard fees to eligible Washington State Students. To qualify, you must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree (full time) for the first time.
Scholarship available to International Students:
Natalia K. Lang International Student Scholarship provide tuition assistance to University of Washington Brothel Students on an F-1 Visa. Those who have become permanent residents of the US within the past 5 years are also eligible.
3. University of Virgin Islands
UVI is a public land grant HBCU (Historically Black College and University) in the United States Virgin Islands.
Students can study free at UVI with the Virgin Islands Higher Education Scholarship Program (VIHESP).
The program requires that financial aid be granted to residents of the Virgin Islands for post secondary education at UVI.
VIHESP will be available to residents pursuing their first degree who graduate from high school regardless of age, date of graduation or household income.
Scholarship available to International Students:
UVI Institutional Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate and graduate students. All UVI students are eligible for this scholarship.
4. Clark University
The University partners with University Park to provide free education to residents of Worcester.
Clark University has offered the University Park Partnership Scholarship to any eligible resident of Worcester who has lived in the University Park neighborhood for at least five years prior to enrolling at Clark. The Scholarship provides free tuition for four years in any undergraduate program.
Scholarship available for International Students:
The Presidential Scholarship is a merit based scholarship awarded to approximately five Students each year. It covers full tuition, on-campus room and board for four years, regardless of a family’s financial need.
5. University of Houston
The Cougar Promise is University of Houston’s commitment to ensure college education is accessible to students from low and middle income families.
University of Houston guarantees tuition and mandatory fees will be covered by grant assistance and other sources for eligible students with family income at or below $65,000. And also provide tuition support for those with family incomes which fall between $65,001 and $125,000.
Independent or dependent Students with an AGI from $65,001 to $25,000 may also qualify for tuition support ranging from $500 to $2,000.
The promise is renewable and it is for Texas residents and students eligible to pay in state tuition. You must also enroll as a full time degree at University of Houston, to be qualified
Scholarship available to International Students:
University Funded Merit Scholarships are also available to full time International Students. Some of these Scholarships can cover the full cost of tuition for four years.
You may also like: Cheap Universities in USA for International Students.
6. Washington State University
Washington State University is one of the Universities in USA that provides free education.
Cougar Commitment is the university’s commitment to making WSU accessible to Students from low and middle income families.
WSU Cougar Commitment covers tuition and mandatory fees for Washington residents who can’t afford to attend WSU.
To qualify, you must be a Washington State resident pursing your first bachelor’s degree (full time). You must also be receiving a Pell Grant.
The program is only available for fall and spring semesters.
Scholarship available to International Students:
International Students are automatically considered for scholarships upon admission to WSU. High achieving Students are guaranteed to receive the International Academic Award.
7. Virginia State University
Virginia State University is an HBCU founded in 1882, is one of Virginia’s two land grant Institutions.
There are opportunities to attend VSU tuition free through Virginia College Affordability Network (VCAN).
This Initiative provides qualified full time students, who have limited financial resources, the option to attend a four year program directly out of high school.
To qualify, Students must be Pell Grant eligible, meet the university admission requirements, and live within a 25 miles of campus.
Scholarship available to International Students:
Incoming Students with excellent academic performance are automatically reviewed for VSU Presidential Scholarship. This VSU Scholarship is renewable for up to three years, if the recipient maintains s cumulative GPA of 3.0.
8. Middle Tennessee State University
First time freshmen paying in-state tuition and attending full time, could attend MTSU tuition free.
MTSU provides free education to recipients of the Tennessee Education Lottery (HOPE) Scholarship and Federal Pell Grant.
Scholarship available to International Students:
MTSU Freshman Guaranteed Scholarships are merit based scholarships awarded to new students at MTSU. Students can receive these scholarships for up to four years, as long as the scholarship renewal eligibility requirements are met after each semester.
9. University of Nebraska
University of Nebraska is a land grant university, with four campuses: UNK, UNL, UNMC, and UNO.
The Nebraska Promise program covers undergraduate tuition at all campuses and it’s technical college (NCTA) for Nebraska residents.
Tuition is covered for Students who meet academic qualification and have a family income of $60,000 or less, or are Pell Grant eligible.
Scholarship available to International Students:
Chancellor’s Tuition Scholarship at UNL is a full UNL undergraduate tuition per year for up to four years or completion of a bachelor’s degree.
10. East Tennessee State University
ETSU is offering free tuition for first time, full time freshmen, who are Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA) and Tennessee HOPE (Lottery) Scholarship recipients.
Free tuition covers tuition and program service fees.
Scholarship available to International Students:
Merit International Students Academic Merit Scholarship is available to eligible International Students seeking a graduate or undergraduate degree.
Read also: 15 Tuition-Free Universities in Australia.
11. University of Maine
With UMA’s Pine Tree State Pledge, eligible students could be paying zero tuition.
Through this program, eligible entering in-state, full time first year students will not pay for tuition and mandatory fees for four years.
This program is also available to new in-state full time and part time transfer students who have earned at least 30 transferable credits.
Scholarship available to International Students:
Currently, UMA doesn’t offer financial aid to non US citizens or residents.
12. City University of Seattle
CityU is an accredited, private, non profit University. CityU provides free education to Washington residents through Washington College Grant.
Washington College Grant (WCG) is a grant program for undergraduate Students with exceptional financial need and are legal residents of the State of Washington.
Scholarship available to International Students:
CityU New International Student Merit Scholarships are awarded to first time CityU applicants who have achieved an outstanding academic record.
13. Western Washington University
The Washington College Grant program helps low income Washington resident students pursue degrees at WWU.
A Washington College Grant recipient may receive the grant for a maximum of 15 quarters, 10 semesters, or equivalent combination of the two at a full time rate of enrollment.
Scholarship available to International Students:
WWU offers a variety of merit based scholarships for new and continuing International Students, up to $10,000 per year. For example, First-year International Achievement Award (IAA).
The First-year IAA is a merit scholarship awarded to a limited number of students who have demonstrated excellent academic performance. IAA recipients will receive an annual reduction in non-resident tuition in form of partial tuition waiver for four years.
14. Central Washington University
Washington residents are eligible for free education at Central Washington University.
The Washington College Grant program helps Washington’s lowest income undergraduate students pursue degrees.
Scholarship available to International Students:
Usha Mahajami International Student Scholarship is a scholarship for International Students who are full time students.
15. Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University is the last on the list of Tuition-Free Universities in USA.
EWU also provides Washington College Grant (WCG). WCG is available for up to 15 quarters to undergraduates who are Washington State residents.
Financial need is the primary criteria for this Grant.
Scholarship available to International Students:
EWU offers Automatic Scholarships for incoming freshmen for four years, ranging from $1000 to $15,000.
Read also: 15 Tuition-Free Universities in Canada.
Admission requirements of Tuition-Free Universities in USA for International Students
To study in USA, International Applicants who have completed secondary school or/and undergraduate studies will require the following:
- Test Scores of either SAT or ACT for undergraduate programs and either GRE or GMAT for postgraduate programs.
- Proof of English language proficiency using TOEFL score. TOEFL is the most accepted english proficiency test in USA. Other english proficiency test like IELTS and CAE may be accepted.
- Transcripts of previous education
- Student Visa especially F1 Visa
- Letter of Recommendation
- Valid passport.
Visit your choice of university’s website for more information on admission requirements.
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Conclusion
Education can be free in USA with these Tuition-Free Universities in USA.
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