Top 5 Tuition-Free Online Colleges in West Virginia

High tuition may deter students from attending college, but many low-cost degree programs and financial aid options can help alleviate the burden.

Read on to discover opportunities for free college in West Virginia and learn how students can reduce the costs, such as tuition and fees, associated with getting an online undergraduate or graduate degree.

Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses

This list shows leading accredited institutions with low-cost tuition and options to attend free college in West Virginia.

1. West Virginia University

West Virginia University (WVU) has its main campus in Morgantown. It is a public research university and one of the top institutions in the state.

Students have several opportunities to obtain a WVU education for free through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). These distance learning programs are tuition-free and cover various topics for different levels of students.

Free WVU courses available through online platforms such as Coursera include:

• sales operations
• forensic accounting and fraud examination
• sales force management

2. Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College

Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College is a public institution in Moorefield.

It provides an Associate in Applied Science degree in business management and a certificate in business management through online learning, which both qualify for the West Virginia Invests grant.

This grant is a last-dollar-in program that helps cover tuition costs and provides eligible students with free college in West Virginia. Individuals must be state residents for at least one year and meet other requirements to apply.

3. Potomac State College

Potomac State College in Keyser is a public institution that is part of the West Virginia University system. It features some of the lowest tuition costs in the United States for a four-year institution.

West Virginia residents pay only $230 per credit hour plus applicable fees for bachelor's degree programs. Its associate degrees cost just $184 per credit hour.

It offers the following undergraduate online programs:

• Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
• Associate of Arts in General Studies
• Associate of Arts in Business Administration

4. American Public University

American Public University (APU) in Charles Town is one of the lowest-cost schools in the state that provides degree programs through distance education.

Tuition is just $325 per credit hour for undergraduate degrees and $425 for master's level courses. APU does not charge an application fee and offers no-cost ebooks for students.

Several popular degrees are available online at these low rates, such as:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Master of Science in Accounting
• Master of Science in Cybersecurity

5. Marshall University

Marshall University in Huntington is a public research institution. It is known for being one of the most affordable universities in the nation that offers some of the best online master's degree programs.

Common studies for students include liberal arts, humanities, and business. The per credit hour fee for undergraduate students is $367.75, and for graduates is $509.

Examples of available online degrees are:

• Bachelor of Arts in General Business
• Master of Science in Accounting
• Master of Business Administration

How To Make College Free

Prospective students have several financial aid options for making free college in West Virginia possible.

Apply for Grants

College grants are a type of financial aid that usually does not require repayment and are generally granted to individuals meeting a certain level of need.

Students have opportunities to apply for various grants to help pay for college expenses, an example being the West Virginia Invests program.

This state-funded grant is a last-dollar-in program that covers costs such as tuition and mandatory fees. It applies to specific certifications and associate degrees at participating institutions in West Virginia.

Apply for Scholarships

Scholarships are a form of gift aid that, like grants, do not have to be repaid.

Many college scholarships are provided based on criteria such as academic merit, leadership, and level of financial need for those who require assistance paying for tuition and other education-related costs.

The West Virginia Promise Scholarship is an example of a merit-based program where students can receive up to $5,200 to help cover tuition and mandatory fees.

Students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if they qualify for grants, scholarships, and other financial assistance.

Get Tuition Reimbursement from an Employer

Another option for students to help with paying for college is through an employee tuition reimbursement program.

This employee benefit allows employers to cover part or all the tuition fees associated with obtaining a degree.

The student usually pays upfront for the necessary courses and receives reimbursement from their company upon completion.

Look Into Tuition and Fee Waivers

Students should also consider researching applicable tuition and fee waivers that reduce the total tuition by the college or university.

Institutions will waive some or all the necessary costs based on certain criteria. Most times, fees such as room and board are still the student's responsibility.

An example is the senior citizen tuition waiver offered by some colleges which eliminates the cost of earning a degree for individuals 60 years of age and older.

Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree in West Virginia Today

Explore low-cost options for earning an online degree or pursuing free college in West Virginia today. As an aspiring student, you can learn how to reduce costs by utilizing financial aid and pave the way toward a thriving career.