Top 4 Tuition-Free Online Colleges in Virginia

Virginia is a great place to live if you are looking for ways to take some college courses or earn a degree at a low cost or even for free. Keep reading as we discuss free college in Virginia.

You'll learn about many different programs that may help you to find a college or university where you can study very cheaply, or even tuition-free, as a Virginia resident.

Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses

Virginia provides several initiatives that reduce higher education expenses for its residents who might not otherwise be able to attend college.

1. Virginia's Community Colleges

Virginia's G3 program enables low- and middle-income Virginians to obtain a community college degree, certificate, or workforce credential at no cost if it prepares them for jobs in specific high-demand fields.

Virginia has 23 community colleges, each having an approved list of G3 programs in five targeted career areas:

• healthcare
• information technology
• manufacturing and skilled trades
• early childhood education
• public safety

Economically, a student's family income should be less than or equal to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, which comes out roughly to an income of $100,000 for a family of four.

Prospective students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to qualify for federal and state funding as well.

2. Northern Virginia Community College

Northern Virginia Community College's initiative called Early Online College (EOC) enables high school juniors or seniors to take up to two tuition-free college courses.

Interested students should attend one of the following high schools:

• Alexandria City Public Schools
• Arlington Public Schools
• Fairfax County Public Schools
• Loudoun County Public Schools
• Prince William County Public Schools

3. Virginia State University

If you are a first-time, first-year freshman and have limited financial resources, you can attend Virginia State University (VSU) tuition-free through the Virginia College Affordability Network (VCAN) program.

To qualify for VCAN, students must:

• complete the FAFSA
• be eligible for the Pell Grant
• meet VSU's admission requirements
• live within a 25-mile radius of the Petersburg campus

Online undergraduate programs include Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN), Bachelor of Science in hospitality management, and a certificate in Homefront Readjustment for the Armed Forces.

4. Virginia Wesleyan University

The Global Campus of Virginia Wesleyan University offers free online professional development courses to members of the public.

You can enhance your career skill sets at no cost through self-paced courses such as:

• Explore a Career as an Administrative Medical Assistant
• Fundamentals of Supervision and Management
• Spanish for Medical Professionals
• Project Management Applications
• Understanding the Human Resources Function
• Managing Remote Teams
• How to Get Started in Game Development
• Personal Finance

How To Make College Free

To get the optimal resources to help you lower the cost of your education, be sure to contact a financial aid officer at a college or university of your choice. Here are some tips about going to college for free in Virginia.

Apply for Grants

The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) is a state financial aid award given to residents of Virginia who enroll full-time in qualifying eligible degree programs and majors.

They must choose an accredited private, nonprofit college or university in Virginia and major in a degree other than religious training or theological education.

The annual 2023/2024 award amounts are $5,000 for residential undergrads and $2,500 for online undergrads.

Students should submit the completed VTAG application to their institution's financial aid office. Eligible institutions are Virginia's accredited private, non-profit schools:

• Appalachian College of Pharmacy
• Averett University
• Bluefield University
• Bridgewater College
• Christendom College
• Divine Mercy University
• Eastern Mennonite University
• Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Emory & Henry College
• Ferrum College
• George Washington University (VA campus only)
• Hampden-Sydney College
• Hampton University
• Hollins University
• Liberty University
• Mary Baldwin University
• Marymount University
• Randolph College
• Randolph-Macon College
• Regent University
• Roanoke College
• Shenandoah University
• Southern Virginia University
• Sweet Briar College
• University of Lynchburg
• University of Richmond
• Virginia Union University
• Virginia Wesleyan University
• Washington & Lee University

Be sure to research each school to find out what online degree programs and courses it might offer.

Apply for Scholarships

The most important thing you can do to make your education affordable is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form to apply for financial aid.

The FAFSA makes you eligible for most of the grants, scholarships, and work-study programs available through each college or university.

These can be institutional, federal, state, or privately funded aid programs.

Get Tuition Reimbursement from an Employer

If you currently hold a job and would like to attend college part time, many employers and corporations provide tuition assistance in part or in full.

If you can demonstrate that the courses will help enhance your job performance, you will be in a good position to get an award from an employer.

Look Into Tuition and Fee Waivers

You may be granted tuition waivers based on many factors related to your life experiences or demographics. Talk to your financial aid counselor about all the ways you might qualify.

Military: Veterans or current members of the military, as well as military family members, usually qualify for tuition waivers or discounts.

Affiliations: If you, your parents, or family members have been affiliated with or employees of particular agencies or companies or religious organizations, you may qualify for a scholarship or waiver.

Age: As a result of the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974, all public colleges and universities in Virginia provide free tuition and fees to many residents aged 60 and over.

Such older citizens must have lived in the state for one year and have had a taxable state income level not exceeding $23,850 for the previous year.

The act provides two kinds of tuition assistance: taking classes for credit, either part or full time, or auditing courses.

Applicants must meet admissions criteria and be admitted to the college or university as an in-state student.

Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree in Virginia Today

Going to college for free in Virginia is a possibility. Be sure to reach out to individual colleges and universities and ask about low-cost or tuition-free ways to enroll in online courses or degree programs.