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Tuition Free Online Colleges in the U.S.

Tuition Free Online Colleges in the U.S.

Attending college is expensive, but schools offer tuition-free degrees. Some colleges and universities in the US also offer programs and courses for free or at a low cost.

College is an expensive option that is only affordable for some. Recently, colleges and universities have been trying to curb these costs by offering financial aid, tuition freezes, flat rates, lower-cost courses, online courses and programs, and tuition-free options.

Tuition is the cost colleges charge for classes. This cost helps the school afford salaries, repairs, books, and landscaping.

Additional costs and fees associated with college are often put under the tuition umbrella but go toward the cost of attendance (COA). A person's total cost of attendance is tuition and other expenses minus any financial aid.

There are many factors in determining these fees, such as in-state vs. out-state, on-campus vs. off-campus, a graduate student or international student.

Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses and Tuition

Here are the best free colleges in the U.S. and universities that offer free tuition. Tuition-free does not mean zero-cost, so read the cost estimator well.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University has an online campus offers over 300 degrees for students.

ASU students can attend full-time, part-time, accelerated, or online. Online degrees are vast, and some are tuition-free.

With the Starbucks College Achievement Plan (CAP), ASU provides eligible Starbucks partners with free tuition for over 140 bachelor's degree online programs. CAP applies to all tuition and mandatory fees.

2. City College of San Francisco

The City College of San Francisco offers affordable tuition to earn associate degrees and transfer credits. The online program provides class lengths ranging from four to sixteen weeks long.

Through Free City's partnership with the City College, San Francisco residents receive free tuition and grants for financial aid for City College recipients.

To qualify for free education, a student must be a California resident for one year and one day plus a San Francisco resident.

This college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

3. City of University of New York (CUNY) and the State University of New York (SUNY)

SUNY provides 100% online bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs. Students have access to the resources of all sixty-four SUNY campuses.

CUNY online school is less expansive than SUNY but does offer programs. The John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the School of Professional Studies are among them.

These sister schools offer the Excelsior Scholarship. Providing New York residents the opportunity to attend college tuition-free.

Some requirements: being a resident of New York for a year before starting school, applying for financial aid, and maintaining full-time status by completing at least thirty credit hours per year.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) provides accreditation.

4. Saylor Academy

A non-profit organization, Saylor Academy administers free courses to learners worldwide.

With classes ranging from economics and political science to psychology or an MBA graduate program with over 100 self-paced courses, students can quickly broaden their knowledge.

Students who pass the certificate exam with a 70% or higher score will earn a free certificate.

Saylor Academy partners with serval colleges and universities to allow for credit transfer with a certificate completion. There is a comprehensive examination requiring a proctoring fee per attempt.

Saylor Academy does not have a specific accreditation but partners with fully accredited schools and American Council on Education (ACE) and National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) networks.

5. University of the People (UoPeople)

University of the People is a fully online school that does not charge students to enroll in campus fees, books, or course materials. The teaching staff is comprised of volunteers.

Although there are no tuition costs, UoPeople charges an application fee and an assessment fee per course. The fees range from 120$ for undergraduate programs to 300$ for graduate programs.

Making the total cost for a degree lower than most, with an associate degree costing around 2500$, a bachelor's degree for roughly 5000$ for four years, and an MBA costing in the neighborhood of 4000$.

The university does offer scholarships on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Accreditation by the Distance Learning Accreditation Committee (DEAC) and approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

How to Make College Free

Prospective students have several options when seeking ways to attend a free online college.

Apply for Grants

Grants are provided to students with financial needs, covering some school costs through the federal or state government that do not need to be repaid.

See if you are eligible by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Also, see if your state has a student aid program application.

Apply for Scholarships

Scholarships help pay for college without needing to be repaid. They can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand for your education.

Some scholarships are merit-based on academic achievement or a combination of academic and special interests. Others are based on a unique or financial need.

Get Tuition Reimbursement From an Employer

Companies provide tuition reimbursement programs to cover some or all costs an employee will incur during their schooling.

The logistics of this program vary from company to company, so speaking with human resources for further details is encouraged.

Look into Tuition and Fee Waivers

Fee waivers assist students eligible to pay for pre-college exams (i.e., SAT, NMSQT, and AP exam) fees. There are application fee waivers provided by some colleges if you check their websites.

Tuition waivers are typically part of a financial aid package. They can also come from companies and other programs outside student financial aid.

Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree in the US Today

As college tuition rises, people gather to create more accessible educational opportunities. Online education offers flexibility to facilitate accessibility and affordability for students.

Find Tuition-Free Online Colleges Near You

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