Are There Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in New Jersey?

Although fully free online master's degrees are not available, students seeking an affordable degree path can significantly reduce costs through various financial aid options. Federal and state aid, scholarships from higher education institutions, and other funding sources can cover a portion of tuition costs for eligible students. However, it is important to note that additional costs beyond tuition may apply.

There are some tuition-free online master's degrees available to students who do assistantships and receive financial aid.

Can I Get a Master's Degree Online for Free in New Jersey?

Accredited colleges don't offer 100% free master's degrees online, but students can still save money with financial aid, which could cover all costs. There is only one truly tuition-free college, which is the University of the People (UoPeople). UoPeople offers tuition-free online master's degree programs, but still has additional student fees beyond tuition, so it is not entirely free.

While tuition-free online colleges aren't available in every state, there are ways to earn an advanced degree online at a reduced rate. Work-study programs, graduate assistantships, scholarships, and financial aid can help reduce the cost of your tuition.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

There are a myriad of ways for graduate students to reduce their cost of attendance and make their master's degree more affordable. The following financial options can help online learners earn a high-quality degree.

• Applying for scholarships and grants: Both scholarships and grants are financial aid opportunities that do not have to be repaid, unlike loans. There are many internal options from universities and external opportunities from corporations and nonprofit organizations.
• Choosing an in-state school: Many universities offer reduced in-state tuition, even for online courses, allowing students to study at a more affordable rate. Some universities may even have reduced tuition rates for students from neighboring states.
• Military benefits: Numerous universities (both in-person and online) offer military discounts. Various military branches also offer many tuition assistance programs.
• Seeking employer-sponsored tuition assistance: Many employers will help full-time employees achieve a relevant higher degree through tuition reimbursement or assistance programs. This may not cover full tuition, but it can make a sizeable impact on your overall cost of attendance.
• Taking advantage of federal funds through FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help students receive federal funding for their higher education. The TEACH Grant, for example, can help Master of Education students earn up to $4,000 annually for their degree.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

These low-cost online graduate programs provide a quality education for a reduced rate and are all based in New Jersey or are available to New Jersey residents.

1. Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University offers several online master's degrees in business administration, public health, social work, and more. Many programs can be completed in as little as one year, helping students become working professionals more efficiently.

What makes Fairleigh Dickinson University stand out is its commitment to providing free education to qualifying military members. Veterans with a GI Bill Eligibility of 100% may attend any program of study (either online or on-campus) at no cost.

Average in-state tuition: $672 to $1,038 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $672 to $1,038 per credit

Financial aid: Fairleigh Dickinson University's Graduate Financial Aid Office is committed to helping students afford their education. Qualifying veterans may be eligible for a completely free education, and all students are encouraged to seek federal funding through the FAFSA.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) offers a wide range of online degrees. Its Master of Business Administration (MBA) can be completed in as little as 15 months and offers six areas of specialization. Students in the MBA program will learn about business analytics, management, and leadership skills.

TESU offers the MyCAA Scholarship Program, which offers up to $4,000 in tuition scholarships to qualifying military spouses. It also offers a payment plan for all students to help them achieve their academic goals.

Average in-state tuition: $721 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $721 per credit

Financial aid: The MyCAA Scholarship program is designed for military spouses. Additional scholarships, grants, payment plans, and other financial aid opportunities are available to graduate students.

Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

3. Rutgers University

Rutgers University offers various online master's degrees, including a Master of Science in healthcare analytics and intelligence. This hybrid program blends online classes with hands-on practical experiences and can be completed in just one year.

Qualifying employees of the affiliated Rutgers University Hospital are eligible for up to $3,700 in tuition scholarships per year. There is also a loan forgiveness program for professionals entering the field of behavioral healthcare.

Average in-state tuition: $15,576 per semester

Average out-of-state tuition: $27,048 per semester

Financial aid: Tuition reimbursement programs are offered through the partnering hospital. Merit-based and need-based financial aid is also available in scholarships, grants, assistantships, employment, and loans.

Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Kean University

Kean University offers some of the most affordable online master's degrees in New Jersey. There are a variety of online master's degrees in education, including a Master of Arts in special education. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in education or ample work experience in the field for this program.

Qualifying students may be eligible for the TEACH Grant, which can provide nearly $4,000 per academic year in repayment-free funding. Part-time students may qualify for less funding than full-time students.

Average in-state tuition: $952 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $952 per credit

Financial aid: The TEACH Grant provides nearly $4,000 per year to qualifying students. Merit-based and need-based scholarships are also available.

Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Seton Hall University

Seton Hall University is a Yellow Ribbon School, which means it has partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer significantly reduced tuition. This, coupled with robust online graduate programs, makes it a more affordable school for military members.

There are online master's degrees in areas such as business, homeland security, legal studies, and more. Seton Hall University also offers online graduate certificates in management, education supervision, and healthcare management.

Average in-state tuition: $965 to $1,570 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $965 to $1,570 per credit

Financial aid: As a Yellow Ribbon School, Seton Hall University offers generous financial aid for qualifying students. Scholarships, grants, and loans are also afforded to non-military students.

Accreditation: MSCHE

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

While these cheap online schools that accept FAFSA are not entirely free, they do offer generous scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid. It's important to remember that studying online already reduces the cost of attendance, so some universities may not afford as much aid to their online students.

Learn.org features high-quality, low-cost universities to help students achieve their academic goals at an affordable rate.