10 Online Colleges That Accept Felons 2025

When you have a criminal history, it can be hard to move forward with your life. Luckily, some of the best accredited online schools are more than happy to accept students with criminal records.

Additionally, there are many online colleges that accept the GED, so even if you never got a high school diploma, you can still get a college education. Keep reading to discover the top online colleges that accept felons.

Online Schools That Accept People With a Criminal History

While there is no law against felons attending college, some colleges and universities have policies not to accept those with felony convictions. Below, we've listed some top online schools that accept people with a criminal history.

1. Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College is a public online school headquartered in New Britain, CT. It offers online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in fields like criminal justice, cybersecurity, healthcare, and psychology.

Charter Oak has an open admissions policy, meaning that any student who meets the minimum requirements of being at least 16, having a high school diploma or equivalent, and being able to speak and write in English, is accepted. They also award credit for a wide range of prior learning, so college credits earned while in prison may transfer.

2. Empire State University

At Empire State University, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. The institution, based in Saratoga Springs, NY, is part of the public State University of New York (SUNY) system.

SUNY Empire has an open admissions policy. It also has a policy stating that the university only enquires if a student has prior convictions if the student is seeking clinical or field experiences, internships, or study abroad opportunities. Convicted felons may still be able to participate in these opportunities; however, the school will conduct a review to determine their eligibility.

3. Excelsior University

A variety of online programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's degree levels are available through Excelsior University. Fields of study include business, computer science, health sciences, and liberal arts.

Excelsior University is a private online school based in Albany, NY. Like others on this list, it has open admissions, meaning that for most undergraduate degrees, they just need to have a high school diploma or GED.

4. Franklin University

Franklin University offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs online. Franklin, based in Columbus, OH, is a private institution geared toward working adults.

With an open admissions policy, students simply need a high school diploma or equivalent to be accepted. While the university does accept students with felony records, those with violent felony convictions will have their application further reviewed by the admissions committee.

5. National University

National University is a private institution headquartered in San Diego. It offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in areas of study like business administration, engineering, humanities, and public service.

National is another school with an open admissions policy. Students generally need a high school diploma or GED equivalent to be accepted, although some specific programs have additional requirements.

6. Southern New Hampshire University

Students at Southern New Hampshire University can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online in a wide variety of subjects. SNHU, a private institution, is based in Manchester, NH.

While SNHU does not have open admissions, it accepts 96% of applicants. Students are asked about criminal convictions in their college application, but the university states that ''criminal convictions do not result in the automatic denial of admission and will be carefully assessed.'' SNHU also provides numerous resources for formerly incarcerated individuals.

7. University of Arkansas Grantham

Online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees are available through the University of Arkansas Grantham. Fields of study include business, computer science, healthcare, and project management.

UA Grantham is located in Little Rock, AR, and is the online branch of the University of Arkansas system. It has an open admissions policy and only requires students to have a high school diploma or equivalent for admissions.

8. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is the online campus of the public University System of Maryland, offering numerous online options from associate degrees through doctoral degrees.

UMGC has open admissions. As a result, students only need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED, to be admitted.

9. University of Massachusetts Global

The University of Massachusetts Global is a private online affiliate of the University of Massachusetts system. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, education, arts, and sciences.

Students need to have a high school diploma or equivalent to meet the open admissions requirements at UMass Global. Specific programs or learning experiences may be subject to a background check.

10. University of Texas at El Paso

Through the University of Texas at El Paso, students can earn bachelor's and master's degrees online. The public institution does not technically have open admissions, but it accepts 100% of applicants.

UTEP doesn't generally run background checks on students unless they are in an educational program that includes assignment to a clinical health care facility or may require work with patients. Having a violent or sexual offense on your record may disqualify you from these programs.

Our Selection Criteria

To select the schools above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools above hold regional accreditation.
• Type: We only included four-year public and nonprofit private schools; there are many two-year vocational and community colleges that also accept felons.
• Admissions: We looked specifically at programs that had open admissions or high admissions rates to reduce the barriers to admissions for felons and ex-offenders.
• Affordability: All of the above are affordable online colleges, and many offer financial aid programs as well.

How Criminal Records Affect College Admissions

Having a criminal record doesn't mean that you'll automatically be rejected from a college, but it can affect the college admissions process.

Some schools don't ask about a criminal record during the application process. Others do, but give you space to explain your charges.

If you're concerned about how your criminal record may affect your chances of completing your higher education, reach out to an admissions counselor.

How Colleges Support Students With Criminal Convictions

Many colleges are happy to help ex-offenders get a second chance. Online courses are incredibly flexible, which can be a great option for those with a felony who aren't able to attend courses on campus.

Some colleges provide resources for those with criminal convictions. For example, SNHU's website provides a wealth of information for formerly incarcerated students, including information on scholarships, internships, and more.

Best Career Paths for Students With Felony Convictions

Everyone has different strengths, and the best career path for one person may not be the best for another. However, having a felony conviction can sometimes limit your career options, especially if a background check is involved.

Some ex-offenders prefer to get their college degree in a tech-based field, opening up job opportunities for roles like graphic designer or web designer. Others prefer business degrees or vocational programs.

Many people with felony convictions find that their experience has given them a unique insight for careers in human services, like roles in substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling, or social work.

However, keep in mind that some of these roles require background checks, and others require licensure, which may also be subject to a background check.

FAQs About Financial Aid for Felons

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about financial aid for students with felonies.

Can You Get Financial Aid With a Criminal Conviction?

Yes, you can get financial aid for online degrees with a criminal conviction. In fact, there are some programs specifically for convicted felons.

Are There Grants for Felons To Go to School?

There are several scholarships and grants for felons to go to school. Some are offered at the state level, but organizations like the Prison Education Foundation and the Transcending Through Education Foundation also offer financial aid programs.

Can I Submit the FAFSA With a Felony?

You can submit the FAFSA with a felony. If you are currently incarcerated, your options for federal financial aid, like the Pell Grant, may be limited. Once you're released, your eligibility limitations are removed.

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