The cost of college is high and rising each year. However, there is a lot of assistance out there if you know where to search. There are methods to receive a college degree for less, or even for free, with little diligence and ingenuity.
Here are some ways to go to college for free.
1. Scholarships
Non-profit organizations, fraternal groups, businesses, and other organizations offer scholarships. Scholarships may be made available to students who plan to major in a particular topic, take part in a particular extracurricular activity in high school, or have a connection to the group making the gift.
You must complete an application in order to be considered for a scholarship, and you could also be asked to write an essay or provide supporting paperwork. There is no cap on the number of scholarships you may apply for and win, even if many are for relatively tiny sums of money, like $1,000 year, in comparison to the price of education.
There are other services than Scholarships.com that will connect you with scholarships you could be qualified for. Even while looking for and applying for scholarships may take some time, it may be time and effort well spent if you receive a free degree.
2. Tuition Reimbursement
Employers like Apple, Google, Bank of America, Disney, and FedEx provide their workers with tuition reimbursement schemes. Your courses must be paid for, and the firm will reimburse you; in some situations, a minimum grade in the class may be required. You should be aware that certain employers have special guidelines for tuition reimbursement.
For instance:
- You could have to work full-time, which necessitates part-time attendance at school.
- You might need to take classes that are related to your line of work.
- The total sum that a corporation will repay each year can have a cap.
- After receiving your degree, you might have to consent to stay with the organization for a predetermined period of time.
3. Military Service
For individuals who have served at least three years or 30 consecutive days prior to a disability release, the full award is paid. Less time spent military personnel could be given a reduced reward.
Some private schools and universities take part in the Yellow Ribbon program, which gives G.I. Bill beneficiaries extra funding so they may attend these more pricey private institutions.
4. State-Specific Scholarships
In order to compete with their prestigious private counterparts for the best students, public schools and universities may struggle to give sizeable merit scholarships.
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, for instance, is open to Massachusetts high school students who place in the top 25% of their district on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) standardized test. The scholarship is a four-year grant that can cover up to 12% or more of the entire cost of attendance at the University of Massachusetts, as well as any other state university or community college.
Free tuition to any two- or four-year college or university in Connecticut is available to New Haven, Connecticut residents who attended New Haven public schools, had a spotless disciplinary record, conducted community service, and have a GPA of at least 3.0.
In Indiana, 7th or 8th graders who enroll in the program are eligible for up to four years of tuition reimbursement as long as they graduate with a 2.5 GPA or above and no disciplinary difficulties.
If they fulfill the academic standards, Louisianans can receive grants for their whole tuition at a public university or community college.
5. Community College
Some states provide two-year community colleges with free tuition. Transferring your community college credits to a four-year university can lower your education fees in half if you’re pursuing a four-year degree.
These awards are subject to state-specific conditions, some of which include educational or financial qualifications.
Students in Arkansas who will enroll in a two-year degree in science, technology, engineering, or math and who have resided in the state for at least three years, graduated from an Arkansas public school, or have a GED, are eligible. After any previous scholarship awards have been applied, students will receive a stipend in the amount of their tuition.
- In California, full-time students are entitled to tuition-free community college, independent of any other scholarships they may be awarded.
- If they fulfill the academic requirements, Delaware students pursuing an Associate of Arts at the University of Delaware or any degree program at Delaware Technical Community College are qualified for a tuition award.
- After additional grants and scholarships have been applied, Hawaii citizens enrolled in a University of Hawaii Community College will be given a stipend for tuition, books, supplies, and transportation.
- In Kentucky, community college tuition is free for students pursuing degrees in high-demand industries like healthcare, construction, transportation and logistics, advanced manufacturing, or information technology.
- The three years’ worth of tuition for students enrolling in any of the state’s community colleges is waived as part of the Nevada Promise School initiative. A requirement for community service must be fulfilled by students.
- High school graduates in Rhode Island are eligible for a two-year, tuition-free degree from the Community College of Rhode Island.
- The state’s 27 technical institutions and 13 community colleges in Tennessee do not charge any tuition to qualifying high school students. Additionally, the scholarship is applicable to two-year programs offered at qualifying public and private universities.
- For low- and middle-income students seeking degrees in healthcare, computer science, information technology, and other in-demand sectors in Virginia, community college is tuition-free.
- After additional prizes have been applied, low-income students in Washington State do not pay tuition for up to two years of college.
6. Financial Aid
Financial help is available to students at colleges and universities who have high academic standing or who may not otherwise be able to afford to attend. You may be eligible for financial help from the schools you apply to by submitting the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).
Financial help may come in a variety of forms, including grants that don’t need repayment and loans that must be returned. Even if loans are included in your financial assistance package, you could be qualified to have them cancelled if you go into a high-need career after graduation.