10 Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in Arkansas

Higher education can be expensive, but students can find ways to earn a high-quality degree without going deep into student loan debt. That's where FAFSA comes in � an application that determines your eligibility for need-based financial aid.

Students can apply at affordable online colleges in Arkansas and use FAFSA, just like on-campus students can. If you're a student in Arkansas, keep reading to learn more about online colleges that accept FAFSA.

10 Best Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in Arkansas

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form by the U.S. Department of Education that gives students access to federal, state, and institutional financial aid. Most accredited colleges and universities accept FAFSA.

Arkansas is home to several online schools that allow students to use FAFSA. Discover the top ten online colleges that accept FAFSA in Arkansas below, all of which hold regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

1. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University is a public research institution in Jonesboro, AR. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, and certificate programs, online in areas of study like:

• agricultural studies
• business administration
• healthcare and nursing
• special education

The university offers the A-State Promise Plus program, which provides free tuition to eligible students, as well as many other financial aid options. A-State's FAFSA code is 001090.

2. Arkansas Tech University

At Arkansas Tech University, students can participate in online undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Arkansas Tech is a public university in Russellville, AR.

Online degrees are available in fields such as criminal justice, education, English, and general studies. The institution offers multiple scholarship opportunities to students and its FAFSA code is 001089.

3. Harding University

The online programs at Harding University are available as bachelor's and master's degrees and graduate certificates. Areas of study for online students include education, ministry, and nursing.

Harding University is a private, nonprofit, Christian liberal arts institution in Searcy, AR. By using the school's FAFSA code, 001097, students can apply for one of the many need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants the school offers.

4. John Brown University

John Brown University is a private, nonprofit, Christian school in Siloam Springs, AR. It offers online undergraduate programs and graduate programs in fields such as:

• business administration
• cybersecurity
• education
• psychology

The institution offers a variety of scholarship opportunities, some specifically for online and distance education students. Students should use the FAFSA code 001100.

5. Southern Arkansas University

Online students at Southern Arkansas University can earn bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. SAU is a public university in Magnolia, AR.

Online degree programs are available in areas of study like business administration, computer science, criminal justice, and healthcare administration. Students looking for financial aid should use the FAFSA code 001107.

6. University of Arkansas

The Fayetteville campus of the University of Arkansas System is the flagship campus and the largest university by enrollment in the state. It offers online undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as agriculture, family sciences, human resources, and nursing.

The university offers numerous scholarships and grants to increase the affordability of its college degrees. Its FAFSA code is 001108.

7. University of Arkansas Fort Smith

The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is a public institution in Fort Smith. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees through distance learning in areas of study like:

• business administration
• criminal justice
• early childhood education
• healthcare administration

College students at UAFS may qualify for scholarships, grants, or work-study programs to pay for their online education. The school's FAFSA code is 001110.

8. University of Arkansas Grantham

At the University of Arkansas Grantham, all degrees are online degrees. This school is a public online institution based in Little Rock, AR, and does not offer on-campus programs.

Both undergraduate and graduate programs are available at the university in fields such as business administration, computer science, engineering, and healthcare administration. The school offers the same tuition rate to in-state and out-of-state students, and those who want to use financial aid should use the FAFSA code 041223.

9. University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Online learners at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock can earn online undergraduate and graduate degrees. These programs are available in areas of study like communication, criminal justice, education, and social sciences.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public research institution in Little Rock, AR. It offers multiple scholarships to help students pay for online learning, and its FAFSA code is 001101.

10. University of Central Arkansas

The University of Central Arkansas is a public institution in Conway, AR. It offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in fields such as:

• business administration
• general studies
• healthcare and nursing
• social science

UCA offers financial aid opportunities and in-state tuition rates to all online students regardless of residency. The university's code is 001092.

Applying for FAFSA in Arkansas

All students, whether they're studying in-person or online, at a private or public school, should fill out the FAFSA. We've broken down what you need to know about applying for FAFSA in Arkansas.

Eligibility

The eligibility for applying for FAFSA is pretty basic. You must:

• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• have or be about to graduate with a high school diploma or equivalent
• be planning to enroll in an accredited college or university for the upcoming school year

If you need assistance paying for school, even if you don't think you'll qualify for much aid, you should still fill out the FAFSA. You could be surprised!

Steps To Apply

Applying for FAFSA can feel daunting, but it's actually pretty simple. The first step is to create an account at StudentAid.gov. You'll then need to gather all the necessary information and documents, which can sometimes be the hardest part.

You'll need tax returns and bank statements for your family. If you're a dependent, you'll need your parents' information, like their Social Security numbers. If you're married, you'll need this from your spouse.

You'll also be asked to enter the school codes for the colleges you've applied to, even if you haven't been accepted yet. Filling out the FAFSA takes about an hour. Once you've signed and submitted your FAFSA, you can track its status through your StudentAid.gov account.

Learn more: Understanding Your FAFSA Package

FAQs About Using FAFSA for College in Arkansas

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about using FAFSA for online college in Arkansas.

Can You Use FAFSA for Online Colleges in Arkansas?

As long as your college is accredited, you should be able to use FAFSA to pay your tuition costs. Regionally accredited colleges generally all accept FAFSA, but if your college is nationally accredited, you should double-check.

How Can I Get Financial Aid Without FAFSA?

The best way to get financial aid without FAFSA is to pursue private financial aid options. These usually include private scholarships and student loans. These may be offered by various outside organizations and companies.

Can FAFSA Be Used for Online Courses?

The FAFSA can be used for online courses if they are offered by an accredited college or university and allow you to earn college credit. You can even use FAFSA to take a mix of online and on-campus courses.

Earn Your Bachelor's Degree Online Today

If you'd prefer to do your coursework online rather than in person, check out the accredited online bachelor's degree programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools for more information on online offerings and financial aid.