Updated at: 10-04-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

It’s common knowledge that a college education, whether earned online or on campus, is beneficial. This is due to the fact that it increases one’s opportunities for employment and travel around the world. Therefore, everyone should have access to higher education, regardless of their financial situation. However, the cost of a good education often makes it out of reach. Tuition fees, along with other essential expenses like housing, food, transportation, etc., can make it difficult for many people with varying obligations and goals to attend and afford college. Although most people recognize the value of a college education, they often conclude that the burden of debt they will carry after graduation is not worth the degree they will earn.

Fortunately, some schools offer financial aid packages that pay for all of a student’s expenses. These schools essentially offer scholarships to online course participants. One would not be burdened by a mountain of student loan debt even after graduating. These programs help students avoid the burden of student loan debt while also preparing them for successful careers in their chosen fields.

Online Schools That Pay You To Attend

Online schools that pay you to attend

Athabasca University

Located in the town of Athabasca, Alberta, Canada is the Athabasca University (AU). Distance learning and online instruction are its forte. Canada’s Open University is also located in Athabasca. It is widely recognized among colleges and universities that provide online and distance learning. More than 70 degrees, diplomas, and certificates at various levels are offered completely online.

Bethel University

Bethel University

Bethel University is a unique Christian liberal arts institution in the Twin Cities area. There are currently 5,600 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and clergy programs at the University. In addition to grants and scholarships, they offer online instruction. There are more than a hundred different areas of study available within the 90 majors offered.

University of the People

Among these schools, this is among the most intriguing options. There are no costs associated with attending University of the People.

The university was established in 2009 with the intention of making a college education available to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

The university collaborates with numerous businesses and institutions to provide internship and employment opportunities for students.

Therefore, University of the People is an excellent option for those seeking a tuition-free online college that opens doors to a wide range of employment opportunities.

City College Of San Francisco

The city of San Francisco, California is home to San Francisco City College. It is well-known for its no-cost educational opportunity program. The campus of this accredited two-year institution is bustling with activity. City college students benefit from free tuition and a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities.

Central Christian College Of The Bible.

Central Christian College Of The Bible

Moberly, Missouri is home to the CCCB. One hundred first-year and transfer students each year receive full tuition waivers at this non-profit Christian university. Up to 17 credits per semester can be covered by the award. However, it’s not just these students who are affected. The Bible-based Christian church retains the right to give the scholarship to someone else if the student does not meet the requirements.

Barclay College

Originally named the Kansas Central Bible Training School, Barclay College opened its doors in 1917. It is a free Christian college run by Quakers, but they accept students from any evangelical background. The mission of the institution is to train its students to be effective Christian leaders and servants. Barclay College offers a variety of online bachelor’s degree programs in fields like business administration, criminal justice, biblical studies, psychology, and Christian leadership. Bachelor’s programs in pastoral ministry, youth ministry, and worship arts are all available. Several master’s degree programs are open for enrollment as well.

All domestic admitted students receive a $15,000 award as part of a comprehensive scholarship program that provides free tuition thanks to sponsors and supporters who believe Christian students should be able to obtain a high-quality education without incurring debt. Barclay College offers its own online scholarships to its distance learners, and these can be combined with federal Pell Grants. All of your tuition can be covered just for living in the dorms.

Berea College

Berea College was founded by Christian abolitionists and reformers to disseminate the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ at no cost to its students. Fairness, peace, love, honesty, and equality are the cornerstones of the curriculum offered to students. Since its founding in 1892, Berea College has not required students to pay tuition.

Students at Berea College can earn a free bachelor’s degree online in any of more than 33 available majors or create their own. The school offers degrees in a wide variety of disciplines, including Africana Studies, Agriculture and Nature Studies, Biology, Business, Journalism, Sociology, and Religion. A student receives a four-year education worth approximately $100,000 thanks to a vast network of donors. However, there is a $1,000 fee that covers their lodging, food, and taxes. If not, your entire educational budget is covered.

Columbia University

Columbia University

One of the best online universities that offers financial aid is Columbia University. Columbia Online provides access to a variety of courses and programs from Columbia’s professional schools, including Engineering and Applied Sciences, Professional Studies, Social Work, Business, and Arts and Sciences, for students who prefer to study from afar. Certificate and degree programs, non-degree programs, and professional development programs are all available to students interested in learning more about technology, social work, environmental sustainability, health technologies, leadership, etc., online.

Sponsorships, AmeriCorps Awards, and a Tuition Waiver program are all ways that Columbia University helps students out financially. Given that annual tuition is over $60,000, any form of financial aid is greatly appreciated. The school is teaming up with Coursera to provide online education at no cost to students.

edX

EdX is a revolutionary online learning platform that offers authentic learning opportunities from top universities around the world. More than 2,270 online courses are provided by more than 160 member universities in roughly 30 subject areas. These universities come from all over the world and include Harvard, Berkeley, the University of Texas, Rochester Institute of Technology, the Australian National University, the University of California, MIT, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and many more. More than a thousand of them can be completed at your own pace, while there are also plenty of instructor-led alternatives. You can choose from 16 different languages, browse classes by subject, and select from three different levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced).

Some of the featured courses on edX are for academic credit, but many of them are offered at no cost to the student. Courses that can be used to earn credit range in price from $49 to $600, with the majority being priced in the middle. However, the per-course cost of every edX for-credit program is significantly lower than that of conventional higher education.

Lipscomb University

Lipscomb University

Lipscomb University is a private institution of higher education in Nashville. David Lipscomb and James A. Harding established the school in 1891.

Churches of Christ are represented at Lipscomb University, which is a Christian institution.

The university has a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as a tuition-free online college.

David Lipscomb, on the other hand, was both a devout Christian and a highly accomplished anarchist philosopher. And the Christian component in particular strikes a chord with the spirit of the school. Their website will tell you that “transforming the world through Christian higher education” is one of their top priorities.

Therefore, Lipscomb University is an excellent choice if you want to study at a Christian university online while also receiving financial aid.

The University of Arizona Global Campus

The University of Arizona’s Global Campus is one of the online schools that offers tuition reimbursement to new students. There is a campus of Arizona State University right here. The online university has earned recognition as a provider of high-quality education from authoritative bodies.

Grants, financial aid, scholarships, and other forms of student funding are available to students enrolled in these online universities. All of a student’s college expenses can be covered by these various forms of financial aid.

The online university has no entry requirements or enrollment costs. A student does not have to pay for their first three weeks of college. You can get paid to study at this online university.

University of Cambridge

There are some online universities that actually pay you to enroll. Even though it’s only the fourth-oldest in the world, the university isn’t afraid to adapt to the needs of its students. In 1209 CE, the United Kingdom became home to the world-renowned University of Cambridge. In addition, it has produced 190 Olympic medalists, 47 world leaders, and 110 Nobel laureates.

That must be quite costly. It’s incredible that you can watch their videos, interviews, and short films for free. The iTunes U section of Apple’s well-known marketplace makes available hundreds of hours of educational content to anyone with an iPhone and an internet connection.

Ashford University

Ashford University

This institution is approved to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees digitally.

Our mission is to differentiate ourselves from other institutions by giving students an opportunity for success that is unmatched by traditional educational institutions. Because of online formats, adaptable schedules, and relevant degree programs, higher education is becoming more accessible to working adults seeking their own paths to success.

The city of San Diego, California is home to the school. To accommodate individuals, organizations, and the larger community, it provides reasonably priced, easily accessible educational opportunities. Ashford University is known for providing its students with state-of-the-art facilities. Ashford University students have the freedom to study wherever they have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

When students communicate with one another online, they can share knowledge and ideas. They not only offer students financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and work-study programs, but also a realistic online learning environment.

FAQs

What online college give the highest refund check?

Valley City State University, Moravian College, Edinboro University, Independence University, Moravian, and Capella Universities.

What is the cheapest online college to attend?

American Public University, National University, Amridge University, University of the People, Great Basin College, Minot State University, Chadron State University.

What are the benefits of studying online?

There are numerous benefits; however, for the purpose of this discussion, let’s zero in on a few that are directly related to regular payments. Typically, you would register for and pay for all of your classes at once at the beginning of the semester. Many universities’ online programs only require you to commit to one or two courses at a time, and they typically run for eight weeks at a time. Depending on your financial situation, this may give you the flexibility to reduce your course load or take on additional hours at work. If money is tight, you could take fewer classes or work more hours to make up the difference; you might even earn enough to cover yourself if a similar situation arises in the following semester. Alternatively, you could take a break and earn a lot of money at a seasonal job. No matter what solution you end up with, the fact remains that there are a lot more ways to find it thanks to the adaptability built into many online degree programs.

Why include tuition as a ranking factor when determining which online colleges are “best”?

Students who are concerned about which schools accept monthly payments are probably also concerned about other costs associated with higher education. The main factor is the cost of tuition. Meeting a certain percentage of need is often used to set financial aid targets at the universities I work for. If a school charges $50,000 a year and grants 75% of financial need (assuming need is 100% of the cost), then the student is responsible for the remaining $12,500 through loans or other means. If a college or university charges $15,000 per year and meets 75% of a student’s financial need, the remaining $3,750 must be raised through additional student loans or other means. Therefore, cheaper tuition has a direct bearing on student debt and will help mitigate tuition shortfalls. Since a full-time student’s earning potential is relatively low, reducing shortfalls means more manageable monthly payments, which is a major concern.

Conclusion

It is possible to get a free college education and graduate debt-free. You just need to be proactive about finding universities that provide such options.

However, keep in mind that the vast majority of these institutions are Christian. If that sounds like something you’d rather avoid, it’s best to keep looking. However, if you don’t care about religion, you can still go to college for free at institutions like the University of the People.

You can save a lot of money by attending any of the excellent schools on this list. It’s entirely up to you to choose the option that works best for you. You can’t go wrong because they are all properly licensed.