The price of going to college keeps getting higher, making it tough for students to pay for their education. However, you can deal with this through online colleges that pay you to attend through special federal financial benefits, grants, or scholarships.
We’ll check out some of the best online schools out there and see what kind of incentives they have. These could be scholarships, reduced tuition, or maybe even direct payments. It’s an interesting twist in education, and it’s getting popular as more students look for smart ways to handle college costs.
Can You Get Paid to Do Online Classes?
Yes, you can get paid while studying in an online college. There are online schools that will actually pay you to attend. These schools have various programs that let you earn money while working towards your degree.
Online colleges sometimes offer ways to help pay for your education. They might give back the tuition fees, provide scholarships, or offer grants to students. Many colleges, including some that are not just online, actually pay students to enroll. This is an interesting option for students.
College fees can be very high, and some traditional universities cost up to $50,000 per year. That’s a huge amount, and often students have to take large loans to study. Although a degree from such universities can lead to many job opportunities, the debt from student loans can be overwhelming.
These colleges that offer financial incentives are great alternatives for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money.
Online Colleges That Pay You to Attend
1. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers some of the lowest online tuition rates and is a nonprofit university. SNHU is legit and has even halved its campus tuition to make traditional college education more financially feasible.
For those interested in attending SNHU, there are several steps to secure financial aid. The process begins with obtaining an FSA ID and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After reviewing your Student Aid Report (SAR), you can evaluate the financial aid offer and secure funding.
SNHU supports students who are transferring from other institutions. This can lead to both time and cost savings in completing a degree. The university also offers a wide range of programs, from Accounting & Finance to Art & Design and Business.
2. Lipscomb University
Lipscomb University has a detailed and supportive financial aid process for incoming students, designed to make higher education more accessible and affordable. The process begins with applying for aid, where you can use the Net Price Calculator to estimate the aid you might receive and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year using Lipscomb’s school code ‘003486’.
After applying, there are further steps including review, verification, acceptance, and finally receiving the aid. A key aspect of Lipscomb University is that 99% of its undergraduates receive some form of financial assistance. The university clearly outlines the costs for a typical undergraduate student living on campus per semester.
The types of financial aid offered at Lipscomb include grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. Financial counselors are available to help students put together the best financial package, which can also incorporate any external scholarships or grants they have earned.
3. Barclay College
At Barclay College, students have access to a detailed and comprehensive financial assistance program. The focus is centered around the policies and procedures for Title IV grant or loan assistance, particularly for students who decide to withdraw from the institution. These guidelines meticulously outline how the amount of Title IV grant or loan assistance a student has earned up to their withdrawal date is determined, along with the procedures for handling post-withdrawal disbursements.
The college’s policies address various scenarios, including withdrawal from programs measured in credit or clock hours, and detail the implications for students who withdraw and then reenter the program. There is a clear framework for the institution’s responsibilities in documenting withdrawal dates and managing the financial aspects of a student’s withdrawal.
4. University of Missouri — Columbia
The University of Missouri is also one of the online colleges that pay you to attend. The cost of education is managed, through the Student Financial Aid program. First, mark the important dates, such as scholarship deadlines and the FAFSA priority deadline. You will have to fill out the FAFSA to receive any financial aid. Mizzou’s FAFSA Code is 002516.
Students are automatically considered for some scholarships upon acceptance to Mizzou. For additional scholarships, including departmental and general ones, you can use ScholarshipUniverse. After receiving an aid offer, the university will help you decide whether to accept or decline the aid.
Completing to-do tasks in the MizzouOne Financial Aid Task Center is part of the process for finalizing financial aid arrangements. Managing aid and understanding how to maintain eligibility during the semester are also important aspects covered by the university.
5. Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) should be your go-to for online colleges that pay you to attend. This university is 100% covered by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You fill out this form every year to see what financial aid you can get for college. It asks about your family’s income, taxes, and other money stuff. Filling it out helps you, ASU and the government figure out how much aid you can get, like federal Pell Grants or need-based aid from ASU.
At ASU online, you will experience real degrees and real professors. Also, they do not add the “global” to your degree name. ASU is on the up and up of becoming more well known academically and has shifted away from its party reputation. They offer full online degrees that pay you to study.
Big changes are coming to the FAFSA for the 2024-2025 year. It’ll be shorter with fewer questions, and it’ll be easier to fill out because it’ll get some info directly from the IRS. Everyone involved, like you, your parents, or your spouse, will need their own FSA ID to fill out their part.
To submit your FAFSA, go to fafsa.gov. You’ll need your bank statements, tax returns, and your social security number. If you’re not a U.S. citizen, you’ll need your alien registration number too. Remember, you have to do this every year because your situation might change, but it only takes about 30 minutes.
After you submit your FAFSA, ASU might need more information to make sure you get the right aid. This is called verification. They’ll pause processing your aid until they get what they need from you.
6. University of the People (UoPeople)
The University of the People (UoPeople) is a unique educational institution that offers a tuition-free online learning experience. Thus, the reason it’s worth the mention as one of the online colleges that pay you to attend. Established in 2009, it has been providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs to students globally. The university operates on a non-profit basis and is accredited, not regional accreditation, though.
At UoPeople, being tuition-free means that all students can access an American accredited college degree without the burden of tuition fees. This is made possible through the generosity of donors who fund scholarships. These scholarships are available to assist students in covering assessment fees and the application fee. UoPeople does not charge tuition fees and therefore does not participate in federal or state financial aid programs.
The scholarships at UoPeople are diverse, coming from various sources and donors worldwide. They are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis, and new opportunities are regularly introduced. Here, you can apply for these scholarships each term.
7. University of Maryland Global Campus
The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) offers various assistance options that make it one of the online colleges that pay you to attend. These are all designed to help students cut their education costs, including federal financial aid.
When you apply for admission to UMGC, you can proceed with your financial aid application. You will have to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually, using UMGC’s school code 011644.
Financial Aid is also available, such as federal grants and federal loans. For the federal grants, we have the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Grants are need-based and don’t require repayment.
On the other hand, federal loans are low-cost, fixed-rate loans that can be either subsidized (need-based) or unsubsidized (non-need-based). Repayment typically starts 6 months after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment.
8. Angelo State University
Your journey begins when you apply for admission to the university. During the application, you might be eligible for various scholarships, such as the Carr Scholarships at Angelo State University.
You can also study online at this university and get paid with your federal student aid ID. Before you can apply for financial aid, you need a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) to complete the financial aid processes.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your gateway to financial aid. You’ll need to fill this out, using the university’s federal school code. For Angelo State University, it’s 003541. Remember, the FAFSA for each academic year opens on October 1. Sometimes, you’ll need to provide extra documents to complete your financial aid application. Keep an eye on your university account (like RamPort for Angelo State students) to see if anything else is required.
9. University of Charleston
The University of Charleston (UC) understands that money can be the reason some people avoid college. In this light, there is financial support for all who qualify. This support comes in various forms, including federal grants, UC scholarships, and loans. UC combines these with federal, state, and outside aid to make education more accessible.
Now, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is necessary for you to be eligible for loans, scholarships, and grants from the federal government and West Virginia state programs. The University of Charleston’s school code for the FAFSA is 003818.
The financial aid office at UC is also ready to assist you with your award packages and provide counseling on financial aid options. All necessary forms and documents can be submitted via fax, email, or mail. So, yes, the University of Charleston is one of the best online colleges that pay you to attend.
How to Go to Online College for Free
So, after you identify online colleges that pay you to attend, it’s time to apply to get paid to study. Such online universities, as mentioned in this article, will offer financial incentives in the form of scholarships, grants, or direct payments to fund your studies. You can follow these steps to go to online college for free:
Apply for a Financial Aid Option
First, learn about different types of financial aid available, such as federal grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Obtain a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually to determine your eligibility for federal aid.
Look Out for Scholarships and Grants
Search for scholarships and grants offered by the colleges, as well as external sources. These do not require repayment and can significantly reduce education costs. Some online colleges offer work-study programs where you can work part-time while studying to help cover your education costs.
Check for Tuition-Free Programs
Look for unique institutions that offer tuition-free online learning experiences, funded by donors or special programs. Once you receive a financial aid offer from a college, review it carefully and accept the aid that suits your needs.
Most importantly, keep up-to-date with any changes in financial aid policies or application processes, especially for recurring applications like the FAFSA. You also want to know the requirements to maintain your financial aid eligibility, whether it is a scholarship or a federal financial aid program. Such requirements could have to do with your academic performance or enrollment status. You can always use the online college’s financial counselors to help you understand and make decisions regarding the financial aid programs.
Read also: Easiest Online Degrees That Pay Well
