Top 5 Tuition-Free Online Colleges in Minnesota

Earn your degree online at a free college in Minnesota. This page provides many accredited institutions that offer ways to save money, take free courses, or earn your degree for free.

Many online colleges in Minnesota can be free by applying funds from grants and scholarships. Other options for attending an online college tuition-free include tuition reimbursement programs and tuition waivers.

Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses

Learn about the best options for free college in Minnesota below.

1. Bemidji State University

Many Northern Minnesota high school graduates can get a free college education through the North Star Promise program at Bemidji State University.

High school students who complete courses that involve enrollment in a BSU College receive free credit that will apply toward an undergraduate degree.

Bemidji State University also offers merit-based and foundation scholarships and accepts financial aid through qualified students that submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

2. Capella University

Capella University offers several opportunities to reduce tuition for earning your undergraduate or graduate college degree.

See example opportunities below:

• transfer credits
• use Sophia Learning to complete no-cost online courses
• student/alumni referral scholarship
• military programs
• disability scholarships

If you work at Capella University, you can access discounted education programs through the employer tuition assistance program or Capella Legacy Scholarship.

You can also take free professional development courses in leading and coaching, course design, and more.

3. Herzing University

Herzing University encourages you to explore federal grant options, state scholarship and grant options, HU scholarship and grant options, and other external tuition assistance opportunities.

If you live in Minnesota, you may qualify for the Minnesota Child Care grant, the Minnesota Indian Scholarship, or the Minnesota State Grant.

Examples of other grants and scholarships include:

• endowment scholarships
• HU financial commitment
• partnership grants

Submit a FAFSA to learn of and accept federal grant opportunities.

4. Metro State University

You can earn your degree for free at Metro State University if you qualify for the Minnesota Future Together Grant that funds your tuition after other grants and scholarships have been applied.

The Metro State University website also highlights several other opportunities for lowering the cost of your tuition.

Reduce your tuition through opportunities such as the:

• Federal Pell grant
• Minnesota State grant
• Minnesota GI Nill
• Nellie Stone Johnson scholarship

5. Minnesota State University, Moorhead

There are options for earning a free degree at Minnesota State University.

Find examples of financial aid and tuition assistance options below.

• Most active duty, reserve, or guard members of the US military can earn a free degree through the federal tuition assistance program.
• MSU employees may be eligible for a tuition waiver that covers the cost of tuition.
• Minnesota teachers may be eligible for free 18 online graduate credits.

How To Make College Free

Making college free is not an easy task if you are not interested in activities such as researching opportunities, submitting applications, and writing essays.

Completing your education at a free college in Minnesota involves choosing a college with low-cost tuition rates and taking advantage of tuition assistance programs and financial aid options.

Learn about grants, scholarships, tuition reimbursement programs through employers, and tuition and fee waivers that can help significantly reduce the cost of your tuition or make college free.

Apply for Grants

Apply for federal grants through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You can apply for grants before being accepted into a college.

Federal grants include:

• Pell grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity grants
• TEACH grants
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service grants

Submitting a FAFSA may also qualify you for grants offered through colleges or your state government.

Apply for Scholarships

There are plenty scholarships available for students interested in lowering tuition costs or earning a free college degree.

Scholarships are offered through nonprofit or private organizations, your state government, colleges, and more.

See example scholarship types below:

• need-based scholarships
• academic achievement scholarships
• specific major scholarships
• persona situation scholarships
• employment or military affiliation scholarships

Scholarships award amounts up to the total cost of tuition.

Get Tuition Reimbursement from an Employer

Are you currently employed and seeking your college degree? Many employers offer tuition reimbursement programs that cover the cost of tuition before or after meeting agreed-upon college requirements.

Most accredited institutions in Minnesota offer tuition reimbursement programs to their employees.

Look Into Tuition and Fee Waivers

You may be eligible for tuition and fee waivers through the accredited institution you are interested in if you are a college employee, a teacher, an elderly student, or military affiliated.

Tuition and fee waivers waive partial or full tuition and fees.

Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree in Minnesota Today

There are many options for earning your degree at a free college in Minnesota. Find grants, scholarships, tuition reimbursement programs, and tuition waivers at several of Minnesota's low-cost colleges on this page.