Top 3 Tuition-Free Online Colleges in Arizona

Earning a bachelor's degree is often the first step to beginning many career paths. Attending college can add up to a significant expense.

Many Americans don't want to enter the workforce in a considerable amount of debt.

Luckily, attending a low-cost or free online degree program can significantly reduce the costs of earning a degree. Online students will save money on living costs and commuting-related costs.

Finding an opportunity for free college in Arizona is not as far out of reach as it may seem. We've compiled a list of the top colleges and universities in Arizona that have free or reduced tuition.

Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses

Here are the best colleges and universities that offer free college in Arizona.

1. Arizona State University

Students can earn a free degree through Arizona State University (ASU) thanks to the Arizona Promise Program. This scholarship program assists students who live in low-income communities to gain access to higher education.

In order to qualify for the free tuition program, current high school seniors must meet the following requirements:

• live in Arizona
• graduate from a high school in Arizona with a minimum 2.5 GPA
• complete the FAFSA
• receive the maximum amount of the federal Pell Grant
• be enrolled in Arizona State University the following semester after graduating

ASU currently has 325 programs available for online study.

2. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University (NAU) is the second university participating in the Arizona Promise Program, allowing qualifying students to attend a degree program completely free.

NAU has promised to provide free tuition to any Arizona resident that has a household income under $65,000. These qualifying students will have their tuition covered through scholarships and other financial aid options.

Students with a household income over $65,000 can still receive generous financial aid options, helping to significantly reduce the cost of their degree.

3. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is the third school involved in the Arizona Promise Program, providing an excellent opportunity for students to have access to free college in Arizona.

There are other options available to help make earning a degree at the University of Arizona affordable. There are financial aid options available through scholarships and grants.

They also offer a reduced tuition rate for active military members. Plus, students who work for a corporate partner can receive tuition reimbursement while earning their degree.

How To Make College Free

There are many ways to make college free, even if a university does not offer a free tuition program.

Through a combination of grants, scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and tuition and fee waivers, students can find a way to completely cover the cost of their college expenses.

Apply for Grants

Grants are a form of financial aid awarded to students. Grants typically do not need to be paid back.

Arizona state provides the following funded grants:

• Postsecondary Education Grant (PEG)
• Private Postsecondary Education Student Assistance Program
• Early Graduation Scholarship Grant (EGSG)
• Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP)
• Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (SLEAP)
• Arizona College Access Aid Program (ACAAP)

Apply for Scholarships

Scholarships are one of the most common ways to fund a college degree. Scholarships are often based on merit and do not have to be repaid.

There are both state-funded scholarships and scholarships provided by specific universities. Be sure to contact the financial aid department of your chosen university to see what scholarship opportunities you can apply to.

Some of Arizona's state-funded scholarships include:

• Arizona College Scholarship Foundation
• Helios Scholarship
• ACSF-Carstens Scholarship
• ACSF-GEAR UP! Scholarship program

Get Tuition Reimbursement from an Employer

Employer reimbursement programs are yet another great way to get free college in Arizona. Many employers offer programs that can cover or reduce the cost of a college degree.

Students should check to see if their employer offers a tuition reimbursement program. State and government employees are especially likely to benefit from these programs.

Look Into Tuition and Fee Waivers

Arizona also offers several tuition waiver programs that allow some students to attend college for free.

Veterans, veterans' dependents, and individuals who grew up in foster care should look into the Arizona Tuition Waiver program.

Members of Arizona's 22 Native American tribes are also likely to be eligible for free college in Arizona at a growing number of universities.

Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree in Arizona Today

This list of free or low-cost degrees and classes in Arizona is a great place to get started when looking for free college in Arizona.

There are many options available for finding a degree program that will set you up for financial freedom and minimal to zero student debt.