Top 5 Tuition-Free Online Colleges in Missouri

Attending college online is a popular option for students who want to further their education while enjoying flexible course schedules.

However, getting an online college education is not always cheap.

Fortunately, there are colleges and universities in Missouri offering free and reduced-cost online courses to make learning affordable.

If you are interested in free college in Missouri, continue reading to learn more about the schools offering free and discounted online courses.

Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses

The following schools provide educational opportunities at a reduced cost or free of charge. Take a look at some great ways to enjoy free college in Missouri.

1. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, MO launched a series of free online courses in 2022 called Leadership Express.

Leadership Express courses are self-paced and taught by university faculty.

Courses in the past have focused on human resources management and systems-level project management.

Currently, students can take a three-part workshop series covering the biopharmaceutical field and public health threat preparedness.

These free Missouri college courses explore vaccine awareness, pandemic response plan implementation, and crisis management.

2. University of Missouri - Columbia

The University of Missouri, Columbia, which is a part of the University of Missouri System, offers a wide range of online learning options.

While the university doesn't offer free online college courses, you can learn at a reduced cost.

The school offers the Community College Tuition Award, which provides a 10% discount for its online undergraduate degree programs.

The University of Missouri System also offers a 75% discount to university employees who take individual courses or become program enrollees.

3. St. Louis University

St. Louis University doesn't offer free online courses or degree programs; however, students can take advantage of a variety of discounts.

For example, the school offers a reduced rate per credit hour for military, veterans, and first responders. Flat-rate tuition is available to international students.

Also, the university's 100% online master's degree program offers first-time students a reduced rate of $250 for their first three credit hours.

Merit scholarships can save students up to $15,000.

4. Culver-Stockton College

Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO is a private institution with a small undergraduate and graduate enrollment of less than 1,000 students.

The college offers a 100% online Master of Education degree program with an accelerated format that allows for completion in one year.

Individuals who work full-time at some local and regional organizations and enroll in the program can receive a 10% discount on tuition.

Culver-Stockton also offers a 15% discount on graduate tuition for school alumni.

5. Central Methodist University

Central Methodist University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, offers both undergraduate and graduate online options.

Areas of study include accounting, health science, psychology, education, and English.

To help reduce tuition costs for workers in the area, Central Methodist partnered with BJC Health Care to offer a $30 per credit hour discount to BJC employees.

The discount is available to online and onsite students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees through the College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES).

How To Make College Free

If you are having trouble gaining access to free college in Missouri, particularly as an online learner, consider these options to reduce the cost of your tuition.

Apply for Grants

One of the best ways to enjoy free courses in Missouri is by taking advantage of grants, which are sources of financial aid that do not require repayment.

At the federal level, the U.S. Department of Education offers the following grants:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants

Grants offered by the state of Missouri include the following:

• Advanced Placement Incentive Grant
• Fast Track Incentive Grant
• Public Service Officer Survivor Grant
• Wartime Veteran's Survivors Grant

Whether you are interested in a federal grant or a Missouri-administered grant, you must first submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Apply for Scholarships

Another great way to pay for your online college courses and enjoy free college in Missouri is by earning a scholarship.

Scholarships are financial gifts that don't require payment.

The U.S. government offers a great tool called CareerOneStop.org, which enables students to search through thousands of scholarship options.

You can also look at Missouri-based scholarship opportunities like the A+ Scholarship Program and Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship.

Don't forget to inquire about scholarship options at your online Missouri school of choice.

Get Tuition Reimbursement from an Employer

Employers often offer their employees tuition reimbursement, which means they will cover a percentage or all of their employees' tuition costs.

Some employers are willing to cover the tuition costs for an entire college degree, and others will pay up to a specific dollar amount for individual courses.

While many employers require their employees to pay their tuition costs upfront, reimbursing them afterward, some pay their employees' tuition costs upfront.

Look Into Tuition and Fee Waivers

Tuition and fee waivers allow students to attend a college or university at a reduced cost, or possibly, free of charge.

The qualifications for waivers vary from school to school. Commonly, waiver and fee exemptions are for out-of-state students, state employees, and college employees.

Fee exemptions might also be offered to students who are experiencing homelessness, transitioning from welfare, or have dual enrollment at their school.

Reach out to your online learning institution of interest to find out about their tuition and fee waiver options.

Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree in Missouri Today

While there are currently no free online degree programs in Missouri, there are plenty of ways to enjoy reduced-cost and free college in Missouri.