Fully Funded EdD Programs Online 2026

Many educators search for fully funded EdD programs online with the goal of earning a doctoral degree without taking on significant student debt. While fully funded doctoral programs are common in traditional, on-campus PhD settings, they are far less common for online professional doctorates.

That said, some universities offer substantial financial support for online EdD students through scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and employer-based tuition programs. Below, we highlight online EdD programs that come closest to full funding and explain what “fully funded” realistically looks like in an online format.

What “Fully Funded” Means for Online EdD Programs

In doctoral education, the term “fully funded” typically refers to programs that cover tuition and provide a living stipend in exchange for teaching or research work. This model is most often associated with on-campus PhD programs rather than professional doctorates like the EdD.

Online EdD programs are structured differently. Because they are designed for working professionals, funding usually comes from a combination of scholarships, fellowships, tuition waivers, assistantships, and employer benefits rather than a single guaranteed funding package. As a result, full funding is possible for some students, but it is not automatic.

Understanding this distinction is important when evaluating funding claims. Programs that offer strong financial support can significantly reduce or even eliminate tuition costs, but funding is typically competitive and awarded selectively.

Types of Funding Available for Online EdD Students

Online EdD students may be eligible for several types of financial support, depending on the institution and the student’s background. While no single option guarantees full funding, combining multiple sources can make an online EdD far more affordable.

Institutional Scholarships and Fellowships

Many universities offer merit-based or need-based scholarships specifically for doctoral students. These awards may cover part or all of tuition and are often renewable for multiple years if academic standards are maintained.

Fellowships tend to be competitive and may prioritize leadership experience, professional impact, or alignment with institutional goals. For top-tier candidates, these awards can represent the largest source of funding.

Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Waivers

Graduate assistantships are less common for online students, but they do exist at some research-focused universities. These roles may involve supporting faculty research, assisting with online undergraduate courses, or contributing to grant-funded projects.

When available, assistantships often include tuition waivers and sometimes a stipend. Flexibility to complete work remotely is usually required.

Research Grants and Dissertation Funding

Some EdD programs offer grants to support dissertation or capstone research. These funds may be used to offset tuition, cover research expenses, or reduce overall program costs. While typically smaller than full scholarships, research funding can play an important role in lowering out-of-pocket expenses during the final stages of the degree.

Employer Tuition Assistance and Corporate Partnerships

Employer-sponsored tuition benefits are one of the most significant funding sources for online EdD students. Some universities partner with major employers to offer partial or full tuition coverage for eligible employees. In certain cases, employer programs can cover 100% of tuition, making an online EdD functionally fully funded for working professionals.

Online EdD Programs With the Strongest Financial Support

While fully funded EdD programs online are rare, the universities below offer some of the most generous financial support available for online doctoral students. These programs provide substantial scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, or employer-based funding that can significantly reduce, or in some cases eliminate, tuition costs for qualified candidates.

1. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University offers an online EdD supported by one of the most well-known funding initiatives available for professional doctorates. The EdD Initiative Scholarship, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, provides need-based financial support to eligible students for up to three years.

While funding is not guaranteed for every student, this initiative can cover a significant portion of tuition and is considered one of the strongest funding options available for an online EdD. The program is particularly well suited for experienced education professionals who demonstrate leadership potential and financial need.

• Type of funding available: need-based scholarships through the EdD Initiative
• Who funding is best suited for: experienced practitioners with demonstrated financial need
• Program format: fully online professional doctorate
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) offers online EdD programs in curriculum and instruction and educational leadership, with access to a range of institutional funding opportunities. While many EdD students are self-funded, the university provides competitive departmental scholarships and fellowships that can significantly offset tuition costs.

In some cases, funding packages may cover most or all tuition, particularly for students who secure departmental support or qualify for fellowships tied to leadership or research initiatives. These opportunities are competitive, but they make UF one of the stronger options for online students seeking substantial financial support.

• Type of funding available: departmental scholarships, fellowships, limited assistantships
• Who funding is best suited for: students with strong academic records and leadership experience
• Program format: fully online with structured doctoral coursework
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California’s (USC) online EdD in organizational change and leadership is supported by several high-value scholarship and fellowship opportunities. USC Rossier offers awards such as the Dean’s Fellowship, which can provide full-tuition coverage for select doctoral students.

These funding opportunities are highly competitive and typically awarded to applicants who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and professional impact. For students who receive these awards, USC’s online EdD can come very close to a fully funded experience.

• Type of funding available: merit-based scholarships and fellowships, including full-tuition awards
• Who funding is best suited for: high-achieving professionals with strong leadership credentials
• Program format: fully online with embedded applied research
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

4. Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University offers an online EdD in educational leadership with access to a range of institutional and grant-funded support opportunities. As a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED), Texas Tech frequently participates in externally funded initiatives that support leadership development and practitioner-focused research.

These funding opportunities may include departmental scholarships, fellowships, or tuition waivers tied to specific cohorts or grant-supported projects. While funding is competitive and not guaranteed, qualified students may be able to substantially reduce tuition costs through a combination of awards.

• Type of funding available: departmental scholarships, fellowships, grant-funded tuition support
• Who funding is best suited for: leadership-focused practitioners aligned with CPED initiatives
• Program format: fully online with cohort-based progression
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. University of Dayton

The University of Dayton offers an online EdD in leadership for organizations with a strong track record of financial support for doctoral students. Reports indicate that a large majority of students receive some form of financial aid, including scholarships and fellowship-style awards.

These funding opportunities can significantly offset tuition and, in some cases, cover the full cost of the program for qualified students. The program is designed for working professionals and emphasizes ethical leadership, organizational change, and applied research.

• Type of funding available: institutional scholarships and fellowship-style awards
• Who funding is best suited for: experienced professionals in leadership and organizational roles
• Program format: fully online, cohort-based
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

6. University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign offers an online EdD in education policy, organization, and leadership with access to selective funding opportunities. While assistantships are more common for on-campus students, some online EdD students are able to secure graduate assistant roles that can be completed remotely.

When available, these assistantships may include tuition waivers and, in some cases, a stipend. Funding is competitive and often tied to research labs, faculty projects, or online instructional support roles, making this option best suited for students with strong research backgrounds.

• Type of funding available: graduate assistantships, tuition waivers, limited fellowships
• Who funding is best suited for: students with research experience and flexibility for assistantship work
• Program format: fully online doctoral program
• Accreditation: HLC

7. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri offers an online EdD in educational leadership that uses a scholar–practitioner model. The program provides access to several endowed fellowships specifically designated for EdD students, along with other institutional funding opportunities.

In addition to fellowships, some students may qualify for grants that support dissertation research or leadership-focused initiatives. While funding is competitive, these awards can meaningfully reduce tuition costs and, when combined, may bring the program close to a fully funded experience for select candidates.

• Type of funding available: endowed fellowships, research and dissertation grants
• Who funding is best suited for: scholar–practitioners with strong leadership and research interests
• Program format: fully online with applied research focus
• Accreditation: HLC

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill offers an online EdD in educational leadership with access to a wide range of institutional funding pools. Online EdD students are encouraged to apply for the same merit-based scholarships and fellowships available to on-campus doctoral students.

For highly competitive applicants, these awards can result in substantial tuition coverage and, in rare cases, full tuition support. This makes UNC–Chapel Hill one of the stronger options for online EdD students seeking near–fully funded opportunities.

• Type of funding available: merit-based scholarships and fellowships
• Who funding is best suited for: top-tier applicants with strong academic and leadership credentials
• Program format: fully online doctoral program
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington offers online doctoral pathways in education-related fields with access to competitive funding opportunities. While funding is not guaranteed for online students, some EdD candidates are eligible for fellowships, tuition awards, or employer-supported funding arrangements.

Indiana University’s strong emphasis on research and instructional innovation creates opportunities for students who align their doctoral work with institutional initiatives. For these candidates, financial support can significantly offset tuition costs.

• Type of funding available: fellowships, tuition awards, employer-supported funding
• Who funding is best suited for: students with strong research alignment or employer sponsorship
• Program format: fully online doctoral pathways in education
• Accreditation: HLC

10. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) offers an online EdD in leadership and innovation through the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. The university provides a variety of institutional scholarships for doctoral students, including awards that can substantially reduce tuition.

ASU is also known for its corporate partnership programs, such as employer-sponsored tuition initiatives that may cover up to 100% of tuition for eligible employees. For working professionals at participating organizations, this can effectively make the online EdD fully funded.

• Type of funding available: institutional scholarships, employer-sponsored tuition programs
• Who funding is best suited for: working professionals with employer tuition benefits
• Program format: fully online doctoral program
• Accreditation: HLC

How Competitive Funding for Online EdD Programs Works

Funding for online EdD programs is typically competitive rather than guaranteed. Unlike traditional fully funded PhD programs, professional doctorates rely on selective awards that are limited in number and often tied to institutional priorities.

Most scholarships and fellowships are awarded based on a combination of academic strength, leadership experience, and alignment with a program’s mission. In many cases, funding decisions are made at the departmental level, meaning awards may vary from cohort to cohort.

Because online EdD programs are designed for working professionals, funding pools are often smaller than those for on-campus doctoral students. This makes early preparation and strategic applications especially important for candidates seeking near–fully funded options.

How to Maximize Your Chances of Receiving Funding

Securing significant funding for an online EdD often requires a proactive approach. While no strategy guarantees full funding, strong preparation can meaningfully improve your odds.

Successful applicants often:

• apply early, when funding pools are largest
• demonstrate clear leadership impact in their professional roles
• align research interests with faculty expertise or institutional initiatives
• explore employer tuition assistance before enrolling

It can also help to communicate directly with program advisors about available funding opportunities. Understanding how scholarships, fellowships, and employer benefits can be combined may allow you to reduce overall costs far more than relying on a single source of aid.

FAQs About Fully Funded EdD Programs Online

Funding is often the biggest concern for educators considering a doctoral degree. The questions below address common misconceptions and help clarify what is realistically possible for online EdD students.

Are There Any Truly Fully Funded EdD Programs Online?

At this time, there are no online EdD programs that are fully funded in the traditional sense, meaning guaranteed tuition coverage plus a living stipend. Fully funded doctoral models are typically reserved for on-campus PhD programs with teaching or research requirements.

However, some online EdD programs offer generous combinations of scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and employer tuition benefits. For select students, these options can cover most or all tuition costs, creating a near–fully funded experience.

Can Online EdD Students Receive Fellowships or Assistantships?

Yes, although opportunities are more limited than for on-campus students. Some universities allow online EdD students to compete for institutional fellowships, research grants, or assistantships that can be completed remotely.

When available, these roles may include tuition waivers and, in some cases, stipends. Availability varies by institution and is often tied to research alignment, faculty projects, or online instructional support needs.

Does Employer Tuition Assistance Count as “Funding”?

Employer tuition assistance is one of the most significant funding sources for online EdD students. In some cases, employer-sponsored programs can cover a large portion or even 100% of tuition at partner universities.

While this type of support is not awarded by the university itself, it can effectively make an online EdD fully funded for working professionals. Understanding your employer’s education benefits is an important step in planning for doctoral study.

Is Funding Guaranteed Once You Are Admitted?

No, funding for online EdD programs is typically awarded separately from admission and is not guaranteed. Scholarships and fellowships are often competitive and may require additional applications or documentation.

Because funding availability can change from year to year, it’s important to ask programs directly about timelines, renewal requirements, and award limits. Planning for partial funding rather than assuming full coverage is usually the safest approach.

Is an Online EdD Worth It Without Full Funding?

For many educators, an online EdD can still be worthwhile even without full funding. Flexible scheduling, the ability to continue working, and access to employer tuition benefits can significantly reduce the financial burden compared to on-campus study. Evaluating return on investment, leadership opportunities, and long-term career goals can help you decide whether an online EdD makes sense for your situation.

Explore Online EdD Programs With Financial Support

While fully funded EdD programs online are rare, many universities offer meaningful financial support that can make a doctoral degree far more affordable. Learn.org can help you compare accredited online EdD programs, explore funding options, and identify pathways that align with your career goals and budget.