7 Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in Mississippi

There's no question that higher education can be expensive, even for online programs. Whether you're attending a community college or a four-year college, whether you're studying on campus or online, federal financial aid can help reduce your tuition costs.

To receive financial aid, you'll need to fill out the FAFSA. Many online colleges accept FAFSA throughout the U.S., including several in Mississippi.

7 Best Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in Mississippi

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a student aid application from the U.S. Department of Education. Students who fill out the FAFSA may qualify for aid that allows them to find affordable online colleges in Mississippi.

Keep reading to discover the best online colleges that accept FAFSA in Mississippi. Note that all schools listed hold regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

1. Belhaven University

Belhaven University is a private, nonprofit Christian school in Jackson, MS. It offers online associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in areas of study like:

• business administration
• biblical studies
• healthcare and nursing
• human services

The university accepts financial aid through FAFSA but also offers scholarships, some specifically for online students. To qualify for financial aid, you'll need to fill out the FAFSA form and use the school's code, 002397, in your application.

2. Jackson State University

At Jackson State University, students can earn online undergraduate and graduate degrees. JSU is a public, historically Black research university in Jackson, MS.

Online degree programs at JSU are in fields such as business administration, criminal justice, healthcare administration, and technology. Like with most other public schools, the in-state tuition rate is lower than the out-of-state rate. The school's FAFSA code is 002410.

3. Mississippi College

Online programs at Mississippi College are available as bachelor's and master's degrees as well as certificate programs. Areas of study include communication, homeland security, loss prevention, and nursing.

Mississippi College is a private, nonprofit Christian school in Clinton, MS. College students can access financial aid for their coursework with the FAFSA code 002415.

4. Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University is a public research institution in Starkville, MS. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate online education programs in fields such as:

• business administration
• education
• geosciences
• healthcare administration

Mississippi State offers in-state tuition rates for all online students, regardless of state of residency. It also offers numerous scholarships that students can use to increase program affordability, in addition to federal aid. The university's FAFSA code is 002423.

5. Mississippi University for Women

Students at the Mississippi University for Women can earn online bachelor's degrees and graduate programs. The W is a public university in Columbus, MS, that, despite its name, is co-ed.

Online learners can find programs in areas of study like business administration, education, healthcare, and nursing. All online students pay the tuition rate for Mississippi residents, even if they don't live in the state. Students should use the FAFSA code 002422.

6. University of Southern Mississippi

Online college degrees at the University of Southern Mississippi are primarily bachelor's and master's programs, with a few doctoral degrees available as well. USM offers these programs in fields such as computer science, engineering, nursing, and sociology.

The University of Southern Mississippi is a public research institution based in Hattiesburg, MS. It offers multiple scholarships to help students pay for their online courses, and its FAFSA code is 002441.

7. William Carey University

William Carey University is a private, nonprofit Christian school in Hattiesburg, MS. It offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas of study like:

• criminal justice
• education
• English
• healthcare administration

The university accepts federal financial aid so that students can receive assistance in paying their tuition costs. Those wanting to use financial aid at WCU should use the code 002447.

Other Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in the U.S.

Mississippi residents studying online aren't limited to online programs at Mississippi institutions. They can study at schools all over the country, and many of these schools offer online programs and accept FAFSA. We've highlighted a few additional online schools below.

1. Herzing University

At Herzing University, online students can earn associate through doctoral degrees. Herzing University is a private, nonprofit institution based in Milwaukee, WI, but with several campuses throughout the U.S.

Herzing offers online degrees in fields such as business, criminal justice, healthcare, and information technology. It accepts federal aid and offers some of its own with the FAFSA code 009621.

2. National University

Online programs at National University include undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as certificate programs. These are in areas of study like business administration, education, social sciences, and technology.

National University is a private, nonprofit institution based in San Diego. Students can use the FAFSA code 011460 to use federal aid or apply for institutional scholarships.

3. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution in Manchester, NH. It offers online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in fields such as:

• business administration
• computer science
• criminal justice
• healthcare administration

Students at SNHU can bring in up to 90 transfer credits and use financial aid to reduce their overall costs. The university's FAFSA code is 002580.

Applying for FAFSA in Mississippi

Filling out the FAFSA is the only way that students can receive federal aid, like the Pell Grant. It's also a requirement for many other financial aid programs. We've outlined what you need to know about applying for FAFSA below.

Eligibility

FAFSA assesses your eligibility for federal financial aid programs based on your financial need. There are very few requirements to apply, but to start, you must be a U.S. citizen or be classified as an eligible non-citizen.

You also must have or be in the process of earning your high school diploma or an equivalent, like a GED. Additionally, you should be planning to use your tuition assistance at an accredited postsecondary institution for the upcoming academic year.

Steps To Apply

Applying for FAFSA requires the following steps:

• Create an account on StudentAid.gov.
• Gather your family's financial information, such as tax returns and bank statements, as well as the school codes for all schools you're applying to, even if you haven't been accepted or started the enrollment process yet
• If you're a dependent, you'll need to get information, such as social security numbers, from your parents. If you're married, you'll need this from your spouse.
• Fill out the FAFSA, then sign and submit your form. This process takes about an hour.

Once you've submitted your FAFSA, you can track your application status through your student account. Your results will be sent to all the schools you listed in your application.

FAQs About Using FAFSA for College in Mississippi

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about using FAFSA for college in Mississippi.

Can I Use FAFSA for Online College?

As long as your online school is accredited and your online classes are worth college credit, you should be able to use FAFSA. Almost all regionally accredited institutions accept FAFSA, but you should double-check if your school is nationally accredited.

How Can I Tell if an Online College Accepts FAFSA?

Usually, colleges and universities will post FAFSA information on their websites. If you can't find information about FAFSA, you can call the financial aid office or check to see if the school is listed on the Department of Education's Federal School Code List.

What Other Financial Aid Options Are There for Online Degrees in Mississippi?

If you aren't able to fill out your FAFSA, or if you don't qualify for as much aid as you realistically need, you can look at private financial aid options. These include independent scholarships and private student loans.

Earn Your Bachelor's Degree Online Today

If you're ready to earn an online bachelor's degree, check out the accredited online colleges featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools today to learn more about their online programs and financial aid options.