Updated at: 27-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

The United States Department of Education awards around $112 billion in student loans and grants every year. Some of the top schools available online also offer financial aid to their students.

Grants, whether need-based or not, are a great way to finance your education without having to worry about making monthly payments. Federal and state governments, as well as academic institutions and private/commercial organizations, all offer grant opportunities.

The best online universities that provide financial aid to their students are highlighted in this article.

You will also gain some insight that will motivate you to research additional resources for online students seeking financial aid.

First, we’ll fill you in on the basics of online universities that offer financial aid. You need to know where to look and what to ask for in order to find the top online colleges that offer financial aid. Here, I’ll demonstrate it for you.

Best Online Colleges With Grants

Best online colleges with grants

University of California-Irvine

It is a point of pride at the University of California, Irvine that 72% of its undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. 57% of its students receive some sort of financial aid.

ScholarshipUniverse is used by UC-Irvine so that students can find legitimate opportunities that are a good fit for their skills and experience.

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Financial need is a common consideration when doling out grants at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. However, students can also qualify for and receive scholarships and grants if they demonstrate financial need or otherwise meet the criteria for the award.

The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor’s Office of Financial Aid manages financial aid for students. You will be considered for any scholarship opportunities at the institution. Need-based grants require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile to be completed by the student.

San Jose State University

San Jose State University offers a program called the State University Grant (SUG) to help California state university students with the costs of attending college.

However, the grant is not available to students who have applied for or received alternative forms of financial assistance. If a student wants to be considered, they have to follow the rules and meet the requirements.

Cornell College

Cornell University’s student grants come from a variety of places, including alumni contributions, endowments, gifts, and institutional support. Grants students receive, however, are not limited in either direction. These need-based grants are awarded on a case-by-case basis at the institution. You need to fill out the school’s financial aid application to have any hope of being considered for assistance.

SUNY Binghamton

SUNY Binghamton

Students attending the State University of New York can qualify for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

In addition to the grant, qualified students often receive other forms of financial support.

You must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as outlined by federal and/or New York state law in order to qualify. You can also file an appeal if you don’t meet the SAP criteria.

Colorado State University-Global Campus Scholarships

CSU-Global Campus offers a wide variety of online degree programs for associate, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as eight excellent scholarship opportunities. The CSU Global Mission Scholarship, the Alumni Continuing Education Scholarship, the Career Enhancement Scholarship, the Boundless Opportunity On-The-Horizon Scholarship, and the U.S. Military Personnel & Family Scholarship are just some of the scholarships that are awarded on a trimesterly basis.

Florida International University Scholarships

Scholarships like the Bright Futures Scholarship and the First Generation Scholarship are just two of the many financial aid options available to online students at FIU. Depending on the specifics of the scholarship program, award amounts can range from $500 to $15,000.

Bemidji State University Scholarships

Bemidji State University Scholarships

Bemidji University is a reputable online institution that provides excellent scholarship opportunities, including the Gladys McKinley Distance Learning Scholarship for students enrolled in teacher education programs. They have the Edward Gersich Distance Education Scholarship for undergraduates who study online for $1,000, and they have program grants for American Indian RN-BS Nursing students.

Walden University Scholarships

It’s hard to find a better online university than Walden University, which offers a wide variety of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. They have awards and scholarships that can go as high as $25,000 and can be used for any level of study. Walden wants to see you succeed and promotes giving back to the neighborhood. The Ann “Tunky” Riley Excellence in K-12 Education Scholarship and the Jonathan Kaplan Excellence in Public Policy and Administration Scholarship each offer up to $40,000 in financial aid to deserving students.

Penn State World Campus

More than a dozen in-demand academic disciplines are represented among the more than 150 certificate, graduate, and undergraduate degree programs available at Penn State’s online World Campus. The World Campus Student Fund and the World Campus Scholarships Programs are two sources of exclusive financial aid for undergraduates at the World Campus.

At this time, World Campus does not have any graduate-level scholarships available. However, the Penn State Graduate School or the consultation office for the student’s intended degree program should be able to direct them to a number of available scholarships for World Campus graduate students.

Scholarships from the World Campus Student Fund are available to deserving students each year; the application deadline is always September 30. Undergraduates with at least 24 completed credits are eligible for this award. They also need to show financial need and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2. The scholarship application is posted on the website for the scholarship program. A short essay, personal statement, and professional recommendation are all included.

Western Governors University

Western Governors University

There are a wide variety of bachelor’s and master’s programs available at Western Governors University. Scholarships offered by WGU cover a wide range of fields, from healthcare and business to information technology and education. Scholarship amounts range from $2,000 to $5,000, but this can vary greatly from one program to the next. The Western Association of Food Chains, the American Red Cross, AmeriCorps, and other universities are just some of the organizations with which WGU collaborates.

There is a fair amount of interest in the “Master Your Future” scholarship. It provides $2,500, with $1,250 payable every six months for a maximum of two renewals. The institute determines scholarship recipients using criteria such as past performance, aptitude, financial need, and preparedness for online study. Applicants must be enrolled in a master’s degree program by the application deadline (June 30) each year.

To be eligible for this award, applicants must go through both the WGU admissions process and the general online scholarship application. The institute then notifies those who qualify of the available scholarship opportunities. To apply for a specific scholarship, they must fill out an additional form.

Colorado State University Global (CSU Global)

In a variety of fields, CSU Global’s online program grants bachelor’s and master’s degrees. There are eight unique scholarships offered by the institute to help defray the costs of attending. A variety of different student populations (those with financial need, members of the armed forces, etc.) are targeted by different scholarship programs.

These awards are designed to help working adults who “embody the mission of Colorado State University Global” by completing their degrees while also fulfilling their other responsibilities in life.

Scholarship awards are typically distributed in three equal installments over the course of a trimester. Each term’s scholarship application deadline occurs nearly a month before classes begin. Enrollment counselors can be reached by prospective students. To create a Scholarship Universe account, current students just need to sign in with their CSU Global email and fill out the application form.

Barclay College

One of the universities that offers financial aid is Barclay University. Placed in the Kansas town of Haviland. On November 17, 1917, Barclay College was founded as a Bible school. Barclay College is a Quaker-run, financially-free Christian institution. Nonetheless, it welcomes students of any evangelical faith. The primary goal is to equip students for roles of leadership and service within the Christian community.

Among the bachelor’s degrees available are those in pastoral ministry and youth ministry. Students can choose from a variety of master’s degree options. Domestic students who are accepted to Barclay and who meet the requirements for a scholarship receive one-time awards of $15,000.

Due to the generosity of the school’s donors, this scholarship is available. The donors think that Christian students deserve a top-notch education without having to take on substantial amounts of debt to do so.

Columbia University

Columbia University, located in New York City, New York, United States, is widely recognized as a leading online college that offers financial aid to its students. Columbia University now offers a wider range of online courses, including those leading to certificates, diplomas, and other non-degree credentials.

Many institutions now offer online courses for students to enroll in. Professional development courses, some of which focus on health and social security technologies, are also available.

The University of Cambridge

Free online courses from Cambridge University are available through the iTunes store. They can be found in Cambridge, England. Apple now offers downloadable courses from a variety of universities around the world for free. This affords you the flexibility to study wherever and whenever you please.

The University of Cambridge is pleased to offer free software downloads of more than 300 audio and video files. The program is accessible from any modern Mac or Windows computer, as well as any iOS or Android mobile device.

EDX

Edx offers 2,270 courses across 30 different disciplines, all accessible online. The company’s main office is located at 141 Portland St., 9th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142. Many of the world’s finest educational establishments, including Harvard, the Rochester Institute of Technology, and many others, offer these courses.

Each of the 16 available languages can be used as the basis for a variety of course levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) and formats. There are some classes that cost money. These courses cost anywhere from $49 up to $600. Most of them can be had for very little money. Other than its flagship XSeries, EDX also offers MicroMasters and Professional Certificate courses. Money is needed for everything. In contrast, the per-lesson cost of every paid edX course is lower than that of any conventional university.

FAQs

Does FAFSA cover online courses?

Financial aid is available to students enrolled in recognized online degree programs. To determine if an online program is eligible for federal financial aid, prospective students should research the school’s accreditation status or consult with an advisor. If that’s the case, the deadline to file your FAFSA is June 30. The form requires extensive financial information, so it would be helpful if you gave ample notice.

What is the best way to get free money for college?

We hope that the resources we’ve outlined here can help you afford college. However, the following options exist if you are looking for no-strings-attached funding for higher education: Free or low-cost college education, tax breaks for higher education expenses, tuition reimbursement from employers, no-interest colleges, and scholarship contests are all examples of forms of financial aid.

What is the most affordable online college?

Online programs at Golden Gate University, the University of Florida, and Purdue are among the most reasonably priced options available. Students from all over the United States have access to these schools’ online degree programs, and many of them provide financial aid and scholarships to help defray the cost of attendance.

Tuition costs can differ for in-state and out-of-state students, as well as based on the type of degree being pursued. To learn more about scholarships and grants, prospective students should get in touch with the admissions office at their chosen institution.

How Much Can I Expect from Grants for Online Students?

Scholarships for either traditional or online higher education can range widely in price. The type of assistance (merit, need, or institutional) may also play a role.

Merit-based grants typically range from $2,000 (at private universities) to $35,000 (at public universities). However, if you need a ballpark figure, a merit-based award is usually in the range of $5,000.

The average amount of a need-based scholarship is not a consistent number because it is determined solely by the applicant’s demonstrated financial need as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Need-based financial aid is typically capped at the student’s demonstrated financial need. However, the maximum amounts granted by various forms of need-based aid can vary widely. A Federal Pell Grant is typically $5,775 per year, while an FSEOG award can range from $100 per semester to $4,000 per academic year.

How Hard is it to Get a Grant?

The widespread belief that applying for online college grants is futile because of a low chance of actually receiving any funding is a major misconception. This misconception, combined with the fact that some grants simply go unnoticed, is the real reason so many go unclaimed each year. Despite the ever-increasing price of higher education, millions upon millions of dollars in unclaimed awards sit idle. According to a study conducted on colleges and universities, nearly $3 billion in federal grant money went unclaimed in the 2014 academic year.

Conclusion

If you are an online student looking for financial aid, grants are one option.

In this article, we’ll go over some of the other options you have for paying for your online degree.

You should explore all of your available choices to find the most suitable means of financial support.

Before you leave, we’ll recommend some additional readings that can serve as further references and pointers. If you’re looking for credible educational resources, World Scholars Hub is your best bet. All of us here at WSJ hope you enjoyed this article. Leave your thoughts, questions, and suggestions in the space provided below.