Top 4 Tuition-Free Online Colleges in Alaska

Free colleges in Alaska are possible through financial aid opportunities such as grants, scholarships, work study programs, and employer reimbursement programs.

You can also take free college courses through the University of Alaska at Fairbanks to gain knowledge and skills without committing to a college degree program.

All free colleges in Alaska are accredited institutions by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education or the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses

Use the list of online colleges and universities below to earn your free online degree or take free online courses.

1. Alaska Bible College

Alaska Bible College offers scholarships and accepts federal, state, tribal, and private financial aid awards to help pay the cost of your tuition toward earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.

For example, the Alaska performance scholarship may cover or reduce the cost of tuition.

You can also take one course per semester for free at Alaska Bible College if you are the spouse of a full-time student who is not enrolled in a certificate or degree program.

2. Alaska Pacific University

You may be able to attend Alaska Pacific University for a reduced cost or for free through the Promise Tuition Grant program if you are a Pell Grant eligible student.

The Promise Tuition Grant program also allows you to apply awards from private scholarships and grants toward any remaining costs.

Alaska Pacific University also offers a need-based Gap Tuition Grant and a merit-based Atwood Distinguished Scholar scholarship that awards up to $7,000 to help pay with the cost of tuition.

3. Ilisagvik College

If you are interested in earning your degree for free, Ilisagvik College offers five tuition waiver opportunities. The list of tuition waivers include:

• Alaska Native/American Indian off-slope tuition waiver
• Ilisagvik employee/spouse/dependent waiver
• mayor's tuition waiver
• North slope borough elder waiver
• North slope borough school district employees

Ilisagvik College also encourages students to apply for scholarships, consider the American Indian college fund, and submit a FAFSA.

Your FAFSA may qualify you for a Pell or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity grant.

4. University of Alaska, Fairbanks

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) offers 30 free online courses in a variety of subjects through AlaskaX on the edX platform. Example free online courses include:

• Introduction to Social Work
• Behavioral Neuroscience: Analyzing Anxiety and Depression
• Sales in Sports Business
• Synthetic Aperture Radar: Ecosystems
• Geographic Information System Foundations

Verified certificates can be achieved through some of UAF's free online courses for a fee. Example certificate programs include:

• Behavioral Neuroscience Research
• Mental Health in Social Work
• Sports Business Management

How To Make College Free

Making college free takes time and effort in exploring your options and submitting applications for grant, scholarship, reimbursement, and waiver opportunities.

Many colleges and employers offer financial aid options that cover the cost of tuition or reduce the cost of earning your degree to make it more affordable.

Make college free by selecting a low-cost program from an accredited college that meets your educational and career goals and then pursue financial aid opportunities.

Apply for Grants

If you want to make college free, visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn about federal grant opportunities such as the Pell Grant that helps lower your tuition costs.

Submit a Free Application for Financial Aid for the college you are attending and supplement your award with other financial aid opportunities such as scholarships and reimbursement programs.

Most grants are awarded based on academic performance or financial need.

Apply for Scholarships

There are many scholarships available to students in Alaska who need help with tuition costs or want to make tuition free.

Scholarship opportunities are offered through accredited colleges in Alaska, private organizations, and more.

Search for scholarships such as the following:

• 49th Finishers Scholarship for transfer students
• U.S. military scholarships
• Alaska Space Grant Program Scholarship for students majoring in a science, technology, engineering, or math field

Get Tuition Reimbursement from an Employer

If you are employed, ask your employer about any tuition reimbursement programs available. Tuition reimbursement programs can cover up to the full cost of tuition for your college degree.

Look Into Tuition and Fee Waivers

You may be able to have your tuition and fees waived through a program at your college. Ilisagvik College offers several tuition waiver programs for school district employees, elders, college employees, and more.

Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree in Alaska Today

If you are looking for a free college in Alaska or want to take free courses, consider the tuition assistance and free course options listed on this page. Financial aid opportunities may cover your tuition or lower tuition costs.