10 Cheapest Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in 2026

Many of the most affordable colleges in the U.S. with online programs also accept aid through FAFSA, providing students a flexible and affordable education.

Updated on 9/18/2025

Students with busy schedules often face two common issues when trying to complete their degree: time and cost. Online degrees with asynchronous or competency-based coursework can often solve both problems.

When it comes to finances, all students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what they qualify for; FAFSA aid can often help significantly lower costs, even at online schools. Keep reading to discover cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA.

What Is FAFSA and How Does It Work for Online College?

FAFSA is a financial aid application run by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). When you submit your FAFSA, the government determines your eligibility for federal grants, like the Pell Grant, as well as federal student loans and work-study programs.

Additionally, many states and institutions use data from the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for their programs. For example, states like California, New York, and Minnesota have free tuition programs for qualifying students, and they use FAFSA to determine who qualifies.

For online degree programs, FAFSA works exactly the same way it does for in-person college. You'll fill out the application and include the school code for the online college you want to attend. As long as the school is accredited, you'll still be eligible for federal aid.

Note that with nationally accredited schools, your aid prospects can be hit or miss. In addition, not all regionally accredited online schools will accept FAFSA. While most do, University of the People, for example, doesn't accept FAFSA because it doesn't charge for tuition.

10 Cheapest Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA

There are seemingly endless numbers of accredited online schools that accept FAFSA. Below, we've highlighted the most affordable accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA.

1. Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a public institution in Fayetteville, NC. It offers online bachelor's and master's degrees in fields like business administration, criminal justice, healthcare, and psychology.

FSU is one of four schools covered under the NC Promise, which reduces tuition for in-state students to just $500 per semester for residents. It accepts FAFSA, and its school code is 002928. However, FAFSA is not required to receive the price from the NC Promise.

Estimated tuition cost: $41.67 per credit (in-state); $104.17 per credit (out-of-state online)
Financial aid: FSU accepts aid through FAFSA, offers reduced tuition through the NC Promise, offers additional student aid, and accepts private aid.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Northwest Florida State College

At Northwest Florida State College (NWF), students can earn online associate and bachelor's degrees in areas such as early childhood education, business management, nursing, and public safety.

NWF, a public college, is located in Niceville, FL. It accepts FAFSA while also offering affordable tuition and institutional aid. The FAFSA code here is 001510.

Estimated tuition cost: $91.79 per credit (in-state); $92.79 per credit (out-of-state online)
Financial aid: NWF offers institutional aid, including a variety of scholarships. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Georgia Highlands College

Georgia Highlands College (GHC) offers various online undergraduate degrees and also provides access to online options offered by the University System of Georgia as a whole. GHC is a public college in Rome, GA.

The university accepts FAFSA and uses the code 009507. It also offers low tuition rates and scholarship opportunities to online and on-campus students.

Estimated tuition cost: $105 per credit (in-state); $411 per credit (out-of-state)
Financial aid: GHC offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Middle Georgia State University

Online bachelor's degrees, as well as a few online associate and master's degrees, are available at Middle Georgia State University (MGA). Fields of study include aviation science, business administration, criminal justice, and information technology.

MGA, located in Macon, GA, is a public university. It accepts FAFSA, and its school code is 001581. The school charges $159 to $199 per credit to all online learners regardless of residency; the price varies depending on the type of online course.

Estimated tuition cost: $174 per credit
Financial aid: MGA accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. It also offers institutional aid.
Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) is a public institution in Portales, NM. It offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas like business administration, communication, computer science, and social work.

ENMU accepts FAFSA and uses the code 002651. While its tuition is highly affordable, it also offers scholarships and accepts state aid for students.

Estimated tuition cost: $174.75 per credit (in-state); $257.25 per credit (out-of-state)
Financial aid: ENMU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

6. Sterling College

Students at Sterling College can complete a handful of bachelor's programs online in fields like business administration, criminal justice, education, and religion. An online master's in sports ministry is available to graduate students as well.

Sterling College is a private, nonprofit Christian school located in Sterling, KS. Its school code for FAFSA is 001945. The school also offers institutional aid, and while eligibility requirements vary, 100% of students received some type of institutional aid in the most recent school year.

Estimated tuition cost: $175 per credit
Financial aid: Sterling College offers institutional financial aid options. It also accepts federal financial aid through FAFSA and aid through private programs.
Accreditation: HLC

7. Valdosta State University

Valdosta State University (VSU) offers undergraduate and graduate programs through online learning. VSU is a public university in Valdosta, GA.

VSU accepts aid through FAFSA, and its code is 001599. Tuition prices vary slightly depending on the type of online course you're taking, but fully online students pay the same price regardless of what state they live in.

Estimated tuition cost: $187 per credit
Financial aid: VSU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Wayne State College

Several bachelor's and master's degrees are available online at Wayne State College (WSC). Fields of study include business administration, criminal justice, and education.

WSC, located in Wayne, NE, is a public university. It accepts FAFSA, and the code is 002566. It also offers financial aid for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Estimated tuition cost: $201 per credit
Financial aid: WSC accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. It also offers institutional financial aid.
Accreditation: HLC

9. Coppin State University

Coppin State University is a public historically Black university (HBCU) in Baltimore. It offers a handful of online bachelor's degrees as well as an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

To use FAFSA at Coppin, the code is 002068. After filling out the FAFSA, students may qualify for one of the many scholarships the school offers.

Estimated tuition cost: $217 per credit
Financial aid: Coppin accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

10. Great Basin College

Through Great Basin College, students can earn associate degrees and a few bachelor's degrees online. Areas of study include English, geomatics, human services, and nursing.

GBC, a public college, is located in Elko, NV. Students can use FAFSA here with the code 006977. Scholarships and work-study options are also available.

Estimated tuition cost: $216 per credit (in-state); $320.25 per credit (out-of-state)
Financial aid: GBC offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs.
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (MWCCU)

How We Rank Schools

To choose the online colleges that accept FAFSA listed above, we focused on:

Accreditation: Every school listed is regionally accredited and not-for-profit
Affordability: We searched for schools offering the lowest-cost online college degrees as well as financial aid options.
Student resources: All schools offer financial assistance and accept transfer credits, which allows students to utilize their past learning experiences. All also offer other types of student services, such as career counseling.

Note that some states, like Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, had several schools that could have made this list. We tried to focus on those that offered low rates to both in-state and out-of-state students.

Financial Aid for Online College Students

There are several financial aid options available to help online students lower their college costs, including federal grants, state programs, and other options.

Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grants are grants offered primarily to undergraduate students based on financial need. They do not need to be repaid except in a few specific situations.

The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2025-2026 school year is $7,395. After you fill out your FAFSA, you'll receive information about your financial aid package, which will include your Pell Grant amount.

State Grants and Scholarships

Many states offer grants and scholarships to students, some of which cover all tuition costs. This includes:

California: CalGrant
Minnesota: North Star Promise
New York: Excelsior Scholarship
Wisconsin: Wisconsin Tuition Promise

Other states offer programs that reduce the cost of tuition, like Colorado and North Carolina. Additionally, many states offer programs that cover community college tuition or tuition for degrees in certain high-demand fields.

Employer Tuition Assistance

Some employers offer tuition assistance as part of their benefits packages. Sometimes this assistance pays for your tuition upfront, while other times it will reimburse you for tuition.

Each company has its own eligibility requirements; you may need to be a full-time employee or be earning a degree in a field related to your job.

Work-Study

Work-study programs are usually funded by the federal government. In these programs, you'll work for the school or one of the school's partners, and the money you earn goes towards tuition.

A work-study program can be a great option for many students, but it isn't always feasible for online students. Some students don't live close enough to campus to take advantage of this aid, while others may already have full-time jobs or generally busy schedules.

FAQs About Affordable Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA

Affordable online programs can be the perfect way to reach your career goals. We've answered some frequently asked questions about online schools that accept financial aid below.

Do All Accredited Online Colleges Accept FAFSA?

Although most accredited online colleges accept FAFSA, not all do. University of the People, for example, does not charge tuition, but rather charges a modest assessment fee per course. Because they don't charge tuition, they cannot accept federal aid.

Note that even for colleges that accept FAFSA, not all programs may be covered. Often, non-credit certificate programs and classes don't qualify for financial aid.

Are Scholarships or Institutional Aid Available for Online Students?

Students completing their coursework online or through distance learning can use scholarships or institutional aid to help reduce their student debt. In most cases, outside scholarships do not specify whether you need to learn online or on campus, but institutional aid options may vary between in-person and online students.

How Can I Maximize My FAFSA Benefits for Online Education?

One of the best ways to maximize your FAFSA benefits is to choose one of the cheapest online degree options. The cheapest option for you will depend on your state of residency and how many credits you require.

You can also maximize your FAFSA benefits by applying for aid through your state, school, or private sources. This helps stress your FAFSA funds further.

Find Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA Near You

Start your journey toward reaching your career goals by exploring the affordable online colleges featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn about admissions, enrollment and start dates, and financial aid options.