Tuition-Free Online Colleges in Alaska 2027

If you’re searching for free online colleges in Alaska, you’re likely hoping to earn a degree without taking on major debt. While there are no 100% free colleges in Alaska, some students can significantly reduce — and in certain cases nearly eliminate — tuition costs through state scholarships, federal grants, and institutional aid.

Below, we’ll go over what “free” really means in Alaska, how to lower your tuition, and which University of Alaska campuses offer free college degrees online.

Disclaimer: The schools advertised on Learn.org do not guarantee free tuition. Tuition-free programs do not always mean zero cost to attend. In some cases, eligibility for low-cost college education is limited by state residency, income thresholds, employer partnerships, or other requirements. Always verify with the individual school or program to understand what is covered and what out-of-pocket expenses you may still be responsible for.

Are There Any Free Online Colleges in Alaska?

There are no fully tuition-free online colleges in Alaska. All accredited institutions charge tuition and fees, including online programs offered through the University of Alaska system.

That said, eligible students may qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship, Federal Pell Grants, institutional scholarships, military education benefits, or employer tuition assistance. When combined, these funding sources can substantially reduce your total cost. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early is the first step toward maximizing available aid.

How to Get Free Tuition in Alaska

There are no 100% free online colleges in Alaska, but many students can lower their tuition significantly through state and federal programs. If you qualify for multiple forms of aid, your out-of-pocket cost may be much lower than the published tuition rate.

Below are the main ways Alaska residents can make an online degree more affordable.

Alaska Performance Scholarship

The Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) is a merit-based award for Alaska high school graduates who complete a qualifying high school curriculum and meet either a minimum GPA or a minimum test score. You can use it at participating Alaska institutions, including University of Alaska campuses and Alaska Pacific University, toward tuition and certain education expenses.

Award amounts are tiered by academic achievement, and recent changes raised award levels and gave students more years to use their scholarship. Continuing students can also move up to a higher award level by improving their college GPA.

Alaska Education Grant

The Alaska Education Grant (AEG) is a need-based program for Alaska residents with demonstrated financial need. Funds can be used at eligible in-state institutions, including online programs within the University of Alaska system.

Because funding is limited, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible is essential. This grant can be combined with federal Pell Grants to further reduce tuition costs.

Federal Pell Grants and Loans

Students with financial need may qualify for the Federal Pell Grant, which does not require repayment. These funds can be applied to tuition, fees, and other approved education expenses for eligible online programs.

Federal student loans are also available for qualifying students. While loans must be repaid, they often carry lower interest rates and flexible repayment options compared to private loans.

Institutional Aid and Promise Programs

Many colleges in Alaska offer institutional aid that can significantly lower your tuition costs. This includes scholarships, grants, and tuition promise programs funded directly by the school, often based on academic performance, financial need, or residency.

At the University of Alaska system — including campuses in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Southeast — students can apply for a wide range of institutional scholarships. These awards may be merit-based or need-based and can often be combined with federal aid like Pell Grants to reduce your overall cost.

Alaska Pacific University also offers the Promise Tuition Grant, a last-dollar grant for Pell-eligible undergraduates. If you qualify for the maximum Pell Grant, the Promise Tuition Grant covers all of your remaining tuition, and students with smaller Pell awards can still receive additional support.

By combining institutional aid with federal and state funding, you may be able to significantly reduce — or in some cases nearly eliminate — your out-of-pocket tuition costs.

Military and Workforce Benefits

Alaska has a strong military presence, and eligible service members and dependents may qualify for federal military tuition assistance or veterans’ education benefits. Some employers in Alaska also offer tuition reimbursement for approved programs.

Combining military benefits or employer assistance with state grants can make earning an online degree significantly more affordable.

Online Colleges in Alaska With Free Tuition Programs

There are only a few four-year colleges that offer online degrees in Alaska, but of those, many offer low tuition rates and comprehensive financial aid. We’ve highlighted these schools, all accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) below.

Keep in mind, even if you don't qualify for free tuition through a program like the Alaska Performance Scholarship, many of these schools offer other financial aid options that can significantly reduce your costs.

The colleges below do not offer universally free tuition. Instead, these institutions offer financial aid programs that may cover costs for qualifying students, but eligibility requirements apply, and not all students will receive full coverage.

1. Alaska Pacific University

Alaska Pacific University is located in Anchorage and offers flexible, career-focused programs with some online and hybrid options. Students can pursue degrees in areas like business, environmental science, and psychology, often with a focus on experiential learning.

• Free tuition programs: Alaska Performance Scholarship, Alaska Pacific University Promise Tuition Grant
• Who qualifies: Alaska high school graduates who meet GPA and curriculum requirements for the Alaska Performance Scholarship. Additional eligibility based on financial need and enrollment for the Promise Tuition Grant
• Program details: The Alaska Performance Scholarship provides annual merit-based funding for qualifying Alaska graduates, while the Promise Tuition Grant covers all remaining tuition for students eligible for a full Pell Grant, making APU tuition-free for those with the greatest financial need

2. Prince William Sound College

Prince William Sound College is located in Valdez and is part of the University of Alaska system. It offers online and hybrid associate degrees and certificates in fields like business administration, general studies, and occupational endorsements, making it a flexible option for students across the state.

• Free tuition program: Alaska Performance Scholarship
• Who qualifies: Alaska residents who graduate from high school and meet academic requirements set by the state
• Program details: Provides annual funding that can be applied toward tuition at eligible Alaska colleges, helping reduce or cover costs when combined with federal aid

3. University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage is located in Anchorage and offers a wide range of online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Popular online fields include business, education, health sciences, and public administration.

• Free tuition program: Alaska Performance Scholarship
• Who qualifies: Eligible Alaska high school graduates who meet GPA and coursework requirements
• Program details: Offers tiered annual awards based on academic performance, which can be applied toward tuition and combined with other aid to lower out-of-pocket costs

4. University of Alaska Fairbanks

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is located in Fairbanks and provides a variety of online degree and certificate programs, including options in engineering, business, education, and liberal arts. It is known for serving students across rural and remote areas through distance education.

• Free tuition program: Alaska Performance Scholarship
• Who qualifies: Alaska residents who meet academic benchmarks in high school, including GPA and course completion
• Program details: Provides annual scholarship funding that can be used at eligible institutions, helping reduce tuition when combined with federal grants and other aid

5. University of Alaska Southeast

The University of Alaska Southeast has campuses in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka, and offers a range of online programs designed for flexibility. Students can pursue degrees in education, business, liberal arts, and environmental studies through fully online or hybrid formats.

UAS also charges in-state tuition rates for undergraduate courses to all students, regardless of where they live, through its Alaska Unlocked initiative. That makes it one of the more affordable online options in the region for out-of-state learners.

• Free tuition program: Alaska Performance Scholarship
• Who qualifies: Alaska high school graduates who meet state eligibility requirements
• Program details: Provides annual funding based on academic achievement, which can be applied toward tuition and combined with other financial aid to reduce overall costs

Other Free Online Colleges in the U.S.

If you don't meet the requirements for the Alaska Performance Scholarship or APU's Promise Tuition Grant, a tuition-free school based outside the state is still an option. It's especially practical in Alaska, where distance learning is often the only realistic path for students in rural communities.

University of the People

University of the People is a nonprofit, fully online university that doesn't charge tuition. Instead, you'll pay a one-time application fee and an assessment fee for each course you complete. You can earn an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree in fields like business administration, computer science, and health science, all through asynchronous courses that fit around work and family schedules.

The university is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). While it doesn't participate in federal financial aid programs or accept the FAFSA, it offers its own scholarships to help students cover application and assessment fees.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

Because students searching for free online colleges in Alaska are typically focused on cost and flexibility, we prioritize institutions that balance affordability with strong academic standards. Below are the key criteria we evaluate:

• Accreditation: We include institutions accredited by recognized agencies such as the NWCCU, ensuring academic quality and eligibility for federal financial aid.
• Affordability and financial aid: We examine in-state tuition rates, access to the Alaska Performance Scholarship and Alaska Education Grant, institutional scholarships, and participation in federal aid programs.
• Online availability: Schools must offer fully online or primarily online degree pathways that allow Alaska residents to complete coursework remotely.
• Student outcomes: We review available data on retention rates, graduation rates, and overall student success indicators.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Free Online Courses from Alaska Universities

The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers free online courses through its AlaskaX initiative on the edX platform. These courses cover topics such as GIS foundations, unmanned aerial systems, behavioral neuroscience, and social work. Students can audit courses at no cost, which provides access to video lectures and learning materials, or choose to pay a fee if they want a verified certificate.

While these courses do not count as tuition-free degree programs, they can be a practical way to build skills, explore academic interests, or strengthen a résumé before committing to a full online degree within the University of Alaska system.

FAQs About Tuition-Free Online Colleges in Alaska

Paying for college in a state as large and rural as Alaska can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to study online. Below are answers to common questions about finding free or low-cost online colleges in Alaska.

Can I Go To College for Free in Alaska?

There are no fully tuition-free online colleges in Alaska. However, eligible students may have most or all tuition covered through a combination of the Alaska Performance Scholarship, Alaska Education Grant, Federal Pell Grants, institutional scholarships, and military benefits.

Your total cost depends on residency, income, academic performance, and enrollment status. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early improves your chances of qualifying for multiple aid programs.

Does the Alaska Performance Scholarship Cover Online Programs?

The Alaska Performance Scholarship can be used at participating Alaska institutions, including eligible online programs at University of Alaska campuses and Alaska Pacific University. To qualify, you'll need to complete a qualifying high school curriculum and meet either a minimum GPA or a minimum test score.

Because eligibility rules can change, it’s important to confirm directly with your campus financial aid office that your specific online program qualifies for APS funding.

Is the University of Alaska Affordable for Residents?

For Alaska residents, the University of Alaska campuses generally offer lower tuition than many out-of-state institutions. In-state rates combined with state grants and scholarships can significantly reduce overall costs.

Private colleges outside Alaska may advertise online flexibility, but Alaska residents often benefit most from state-based aid tied to the UA system.

Are Online Degrees from the University of Alaska Respected?

Online degrees from University of Alaska campuses are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the same accreditor that oversees their on-campus programs.

Employers typically focus on accreditation, field of study, and skills gained rather than whether coursework was completed online.

Can Out-Of-State Students Enroll in Alaska Online Programs?

Yes, and it's getting more affordable to do so. The University of Alaska Southeast now charges in-state tuition rates for undergraduate courses to all students, regardless of residency, through its Alaska Unlocked initiative. The University of Alaska Board of Regents has also given preliminary approval to a single tuition rate for resident and nonresident students across all campuses and degree types, starting in fall 2027.

Until that systemwide change is finalized, tuition for out-of-state students at the University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Fairbanks may still be higher, so confirm current rates with your campus before applying.

Discover Affordable Online Degrees

Discover affordable online degrees in Alaska by browsing the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools for more information on program availability, tuition, and financial aid.