8 Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in North Dakota

Tuition rates in North Dakota aren't crazy high, but most students can't pay out-of-pocket � that's what FAFSA is for. It allows students to apply for various student financial aid options.

FAFSA can be used for both in-person and online programs. North Dakota residents can find several online colleges that accept FAFSA in their state and around the country.

8 Best Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in North Dakota

Students looking for affordable online colleges should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This is what determines if you qualify for federal, state, and some forms of institutional aid.

Using FAFSA can help you find affordable online colleges in North Dakota. Keep reading to discover these colleges below. All schools listed are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

1. Dickinson State University

Dickinson State University is a public institution in Dickinson, ND. It offers various online associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs online in fields such as:

• business administration
• education
• English
• information technology

Dickinson State offers many ways to increase the affordability of programs, including charging in-state tuition rates to all students, regardless of state of residence, accepting federal aid, and awarding scholarships. To qualify for financial aid at the university, enter the federal school code 002989 into your FAFSA.

2. Mayville State University

At Mayville State University, students can earn online undergraduate and graduate degrees through distance learning. Mayville State is a public university in Mayville, ND.

It offers online degree programs in areas of study like business, criminal justice, education, and nursing. While the university does charge out-of-state tuition, students in Minnesota as well as a few other neighboring states pay a lower out-of-state rate. The school's FAFSA code is 002993.

3. Minot State University

Online programs at Minot State University range from associate to master's programs. They're offered in fields such as cybersecurity, education, information systems, and nursing.

Minot State University is a public institution in Minot, ND. In addition to FAFSA, students may qualify for scholarships from the school to help pay for their online courses with the FAFSA code 002994.

4. North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University is one of two research institutions in the North Dakota University System. It's based in Fargo, ND, and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees online in areas of study like:

• business administration
• cybersecurity
• engineering
• human development

NDSU offers several financial aid programs, including the NDSU Tuition Award Program, which covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible North Dakota and Minnesota residents after the federal Pell Grant is applied. To find out if you qualify, use the university's code, 002997 when filing FAFSA.

5. University of Jamestown

Students at the University of Jamestown can take online education programs from the bachelor's degree through the doctoral level. It is a private, nonprofit school located in Jamestown, ND.

It offers online learning in various fields, such as business, communication, information systems, and nursing. The university's FAFSA code is 0029900.

6. University of Mary

Online and distance education at the University of Mary includes undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as certificate programs. These are available in areas of study like criminal justice, cybersecurity, education, and psychology.

The University of Mary is a private, Catholic school in Bismarck, ND. The nonprofit institution offers numerous scholarship programs that students can use in addition to federal aid. To find out if you qualify, use the code 00299200.

7. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is the other research institution in the North Dakota University System. It's located in Grand Forks and offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online in fields such as:

• business administration
• computer science
• engineering
• healthcare

Students at UND can take advantage of government financial aid and numerous scholarships from the school. The university's FAFSA code is 003005.

8. Valley City State University

At Valley City State University, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. VCSU is a public university in Valley City, ND.

Graduate degrees are primarily focused on education, but undergraduate students can earn online degrees in areas of study like communication, education, English, and liberal arts. With the FAFSA code 003008, students may be eligible for financial aid to help them pay for their coursework.

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

While several online colleges accept FAFSA in North Dakota, there are even more outside the state. Below, we've highlighted a few additional online colleges that accept FAFSA in the U.S., all of which are regionally accredited.

1. Dakota State University

Online learners who don't want to stray too far from North Dakota can earn online degrees from the associate to the doctoral level at Dakota State University. These are available in fields such as business administration, education, and information technology.

DSU is a public university in Madison, SD. Still, it offers the in-state tuition rate to students from North Dakota as well. To receive financial aid, students should use the code 003463 on their FAFSA.

2. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution across the country in Manchester, NH. It offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas of study like:

• criminal justice
• healthcare administration
• information systems
• liberal arts

While SNHU offers programs on campus, most of its students enroll online. It accepts aid through FAFSA with school code 002580.

Applying for FAFSA in North Dakota

By applying for FAFSA, students may be able to obtain federal aid like the Pell Grant, as well as other types of student aid. We've offered a brief overview of the process of applying for FAFSA.

Eligibility

FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal aid by determining your level of financial need. As a result, there are very few eligibility requirements to apply. They include:

• be a U.S. resident or eligible non-resident
• have (or be almost finished earning) a high school diploma or equivalent
• be planning to attend an accredited two-year or four-year institution during the next school year, including an online school or graduate school

Even if you don't think you'll qualify for much, you should still fill out the FAFSA. Many scholarship and grant programs, even independent ones, require you to have filled out the FAFSA.

Steps To Apply

The first thing you need to do to apply for FAFSA is to create an account on StudentAid.gov. Then, you'll need to gather everything the documents you need to fill out the FAFSA.

You need financial documents for your household, such as tax returns and bank statements. If you're a dependent student, you'll need information like birth dates and Social Security numbers from your parents. If you're married, you'll need this from your spouse.

You'll also need the school codes for all schools you're applying to, even if you haven't been accepted or started the enrollment process yet. After your form is processed, these schools will receive copies of your results.

It takes most students about an hour to fill out the FAFSA. After you sign and submit the form, you can track your application status through your online account.

FAQs About Using FAFSA for College in North Dakota

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about using FAFSA for college in North Dakota.

Do Online Colleges Accept FAFSA in North Dakota?

Most online colleges in North Dakota will accept FAFSA. Colleges that are regionally accredited are almost certain to accept FAFSA, but if your college is nationally accredited or for-profit, you should double-check.

Are There Any Free Online Classes I Can Take From North Dakota Colleges?

While none of the colleges or universities in North Dakota offer completely free online classes, there are other options students can pursue. They can apply for financial aid to cover the cost of online courses, or go through programs like North Dakota Citizen Skills for All, which provides free, self-paced information technology courses.

What Other Financial Aid Options Do Online Students Have in North Dakota?

Students who can't apply for FAFSA or don't qualify for enough to cover their costs can pursue private financial aid. This includes private scholarships and student loans.

Find Online Higher Education Options

Find the perfect online degree by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools for more information about their online options, enrollment, and financial aid.