Can You Get a Pell Grant for Online Courses?

The price of college has been rising pretty consistently over the years, and students are always looking for smart ways to help them lower their tuition. One excellent option is the Pell Grant.

The Pell Grant is given to students based on financial need. Many online colleges and schools allow you to use a Pell Grant for online courses.

Can You Get a Pell Grant for Online Courses?

There is no restriction on using a Pell Grant for online courses. However, not every single school qualifies for its students to receive a Pell Grant.

What is a Pell Grant?

A grant is a type of financial aid gift that doesn't need to be paid back except in very specific circumstances, like if you dropped out mid-semester.

The Pell Grant is a federal grant offered to students who display exceptional financial need. It's one of the most common types of federal aid used, with 34% of all students receiving a Pell Grant.

The maximum available from the Pell Grant is currently $7,395 per year, although that is subject to change each year. The amount you receive depends on:

• your Expected Family Contribution (the amount FAFSA expects your family to pay for your education)
• your cost of attendance for your school and specific program
• whether you're a full-time or part-time student
• whether you plan to attend for the full year or less

There isn't an application for the Pell Grant, exactly. Instead, you'll fill out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines your overall eligibility for financial aid.

If the application determines you qualify for the Pell Grant, you will automatically be given a Pell Grant for whatever amount the application determines.

Depending on what the school you attend has chosen, the funds may be paid directly to your account or paid to you first.

There's no cap on how many Pell Grants a college or university can accept, so you are not competing against other students to earn your Pell Grant.

Featured Online Schools That Accept Pell Grants

Most schools, so long as they are accredited, are able to accept Pell Grants. Below, we've listed ten popular online colleges and broken down their Pell Grant statistics.

Note that in most cases these statistics are provided by the National Center for Education Statistics using its most recent data.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs through its online campus.

Over 16,000 online students at Arizona State University were awarded a Pell Grant, which accounts for about 38% of its student body. The average amount awarded in the most recent year was $3,776.

The university also offers scholarships, some specifically for online students. To qualify, you'll need to complete your FAFSA and enter the university's school code, 001081.

2. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global is the online campus of Colorado State University. It offers online bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as certificates.

About 27% of students, or 1,784 students, were awarded a Pell Grant in the most recent year. The average award amount was $4,161.

3.Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university in Daytona Beach, Florida. It offers online programs through its Worldwide campus, including associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees.

2,334 online students at Embry-Riddle were awarded a Pell Grant, about 25% of its student body. The average amount awarded in the most recent year was $3,172.

The university also offers multiple scholarships to students to help them pay for their education.

4. Excelsior University

Excelsior University is a private, online university based in Albany, New York. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's programs.

In the most recent year, 21% of the student body, 3,179 students, were awarded a Pell Grant. The average award amount was $2,431.

Students can also find dozens of scholarships through the university. After filling out FAFSA and inputting the school code, 01425, you will automatically be considered for whatever scholarships you qualify for at the university.

5. National University

National University is a private university out of San Diego, California. It offers associate through doctoral programs on campus and online, but primarily online.

1,922 students received a Pell Grant in the most recent year, about 27% of all students. The average amount awarded was $4,758. The Federal School Code for FAFSA is 011460.

The university also offers a handful of scholarship opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students.

6. Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus is the online campus of the public Pennsylvania State University system. It offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and certificate programs.

Around 29% of students, or 2,553 were awarded a Pell Grant in the most recent year, with the average award being $4,058. Penn State World Campus's FAFSA code is 003329.

Scholarships are available specifically for World Campus students as well as the Pennsylvania State University system as a whole.

7. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private university in Manchester, New Hampshire. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees on campus and online, but nearly all students study online.

In the most recent year, 55,478 students, or nearly half the student body, received a Pell Grant at SNHU. The average amount awarded was $2,972. The school code is 002580.

While the university itself does not offer scholarships, students can find scholarships through the university's scholarship matching tool.

8. UMass Global

UMass Global is a private, online university affiliated with the public University of Massachusetts system. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs online.

A quarter of the student body, or 1,247 students, qualified for a Pell Grant in the most recent year. The average award was $3,935, and the school code is 041618.

The university offers grants and scholarships for students in business, education, and behavioral and social sciences programs. It also offers specific financial aid for military members.

9. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus is the online campus of the public University System of Maryland. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

In the most recent year, 12,382 students, or 29% of the student body, were awarded a Pell Grant with an average award amount of $3,529. The university's FAFSA code is 011644.

Students can find a range of scholarships and grants at UMGC. Each has specific eligibility requirements, but you'll first need to complete your FAFSA.

10. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a private, online university based in Salt Lake City, Utah. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, as well as certificate programs.

About 34% of students, or 36,224 students, received a Pell Grant in the most recent year. The average amount awarded was $4,202 and the FAFSA code is 033394.

Numerous scholarships are available through WGU, including general scholarships, program-based scholarships, and military scholarships.

Use a Pell Grant for Online Courses

So long as the institution is accredited, you should be able to use a Pell Grant for online courses. Fill out your FAFSA right away to see if you qualify.