College is expensive, and that includes online colleges. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of undergraduate tuition in the US is between $9,400 and $36,700, depending on the type of institution. This cost is quite high for the average American, leading to most students seeking financial aid.
This is why FAFSA exists. It was created to help relieve the financial burden of college by providing assistance through loans, grants, work-study opportunities, and scholarships. While this can be enough to put you through school, not all colleges accept it, and many online colleges do not.
This article is designed to help students find an online program that will accept FAFSA. With its list of accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA, you will be able to find affordable online colleges with financial aid options that work for your situation.
How to Know If a College Accepts FAFSA
To know if a college accepts FAFSA, you can search the school’s website or the FAFSA website. Searching the school’s website is faster as most schools have a page dedicated to financial aid.
A school’s financial aid page will show you all types of aid the school offers and accepts, including FAFSA. It may include a guide to show you how to apply for FAFSA and the school’s FAFSA code. You can also call the school’s financial aid office directly.
What Does FAFSA Stand For?
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA is a form filled out by prospective and current college students to determine their financial aid eligibility. Students will fill out relevant personal and family information to help determine how much financial assistance they can receive.
You can apply for various available financial aid programs upon filling out this sole form, including federal grants, loans, work-study programs, and scholarships. You must fill it out before every academic year if you intend to get financial aid. Any year the form isn’t completed and submitted is a year you will not get any assistance from the federal government.
Some states and schools require students to fill out FAFSA for state-based and institutional aid as well. This is because FAFSA makes it easier to determine each student’s financial status and how much financial help they need.
How FAFSA Works for Online Colleges
Getting aid for online colleges using FAFSA works similarly to the way it works for on-campus colleges. Prospective students enrolling in a program at an online college will visit the financial aid page or contact the financial services department to know if they accept FAFSA. You should look up the school’s federal school code on its website. This is required when completing the FAFSA form.
First, you must apply for a program at the school and then apply for FAFSA. You will receive an email confirming your eligibility and providing additional information. You may also be asked to provide further documentation. After that, you will receive your Financial Aid Notification (FAN) letter, which you must accept or decline. Then you’ll receive the financial aid you have been approved for.
When Is FAFSA Due?
For the 2022-23 school year, FAFSA is due on June 30, 2023. This date is for the initial submission of the FAFSA form, while corrections and updates are due on September 9, 2023. The initial submission deadline has passed for the 2021-22 academic year, but the deadline for corrections is September 10, 2022.
These dates are federal deadlines. Prospective online students are advised to check with their preferred institutions for their own deadlines, as some schools may have deadlines that differ. Each state also has its own application deadline, so it is recommended that you look up your state on the federal student aid website.
The Best Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA
| School Name | Accreditation | Annual Undergraduate Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|
| American Public University | Higher Learning Commission | $7,360 |
| Arizona State University | Higher Learning Commission | $10,818 (in-state); $13,092 (out-of-state) |
| Baker College | Higher Learning Commission | $12,420 |
| Grand Canyon University | Higher Learning Commission | $17,800 |
| Lewis University | Higher Learning Commission | $35,472 |
| Penn State World Campus | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $14,338 |
| Purdue University Global | Higher Learning Commission | $10,125 (in-state); $14,436 (out-of-state) |
| Southern New Hampshire University | New England Commission of Higher Education | $15,380 |
| St. John’s University | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | $46,050 |
| The University of Arizona Global Campus | WASC Senior College and University Commission | $12,736 (in-state); $37,258 (out-of-state) |
Accredited Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA: Explained
Below is a brief description of the best online colleges that accept FAFSA. These schools offer some of the best online education in the country and provide their online learners with financial aid to help cover their college expenses. While all these schools offer online programs, most of them also have on-campus programs.
American Public University
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $7,360
- Degree Levels Offered: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Certificates
- Financial Aid Offered: Scholarships, private loans, grants, military tuition assistance, employer benefits, veteran benefits, installment plans
American Public University is a private university under the American Public University System. This online, for-profit school was founded in 1991 and is one of the largest online colleges in the US. It is designed to provide education and tuition assistance to military and veteran students, with civilians making up only 14 percent of its student body.
Arizona State University
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $10,818 (in-state); $13,092 (out-of-state)
- Degree Levels Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Certificates
- Financial Aid Offered: Scholarships, FAFSA
Arizona State University is a public institution founded in 1886. It is one of the largest higher education institutions in the US by enrollment. The school has an online school designed to cater to the academic needs of students who want to earn their degrees from the comfort of their homes.
It offers online degree programs, from undergraduate to graduate levels, in different areas of study. ASU, as it is often abbreviated, has a huge research impact in the academic world and the US in general.
Baker College
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Graduation Rate: 21%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $12,420
- Degree Levels Offered: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
- Financial Aid Offered: Scholarships, grants, loans, military and Veterans Affairs funding
Baker College is a private, nonprofit university in Michigan with campuses on-campus and online. It was founded in 1888 as Muskegon College and is one of the top online colleges in the US.
The school offers academic programs including associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees, and certificate programs in various areas of study. It offers on-campus, online, and hybrid programs and has multiple campuses across Michigan.
Grand Canyon University
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $17,800
- Degree Levels Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
- Financial Aid Offered: Scholarships, grants, federal loans
Grand Canyon University is a private, for-profit Christian school in Arizona, established in 1949. It offers on-campus, hybrid, evening, and online classes to students at different academic levels. It has campuses in multiple locations for on-campus students to explore.
Grand Canyon University offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and certificate programs. It also offers bridge programs, which are online programs designed to help you start a new career or advance in your present career.
Lewis University
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $35,472
- Degree Levels Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
- Financial Aid Offered: Scholarships, grants, installment plan, work-study programs, employer tuition discount, military education, veteran benefits
Lewis University is a private Roman Catholic and Lasallian University founded in 1932. It offers over 80 undergraduate degree programs, 37 master’s degree programs, two doctoral degree programs, and accelerated programs through seven colleges and schools. It has 18 undergraduate and graduate programs that are offered fully online, a total of 6,200 students, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.
Penn State World Campus
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $14,338
- Degree Levels Offered: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Certificates
- Financial Aid Offered: Installment plan, third-party payment plan, employer reimbursement, tuition deferment, scholarships, military benefits
Penn State World Campus was established in 1998 and is the online campus of Pennsylvania State University. It is the second-largest Pennsylvania State University campus, with over 20,000 students.
Penn State World Campus offers over 175 degree and certificate programs in a wide range of fields. The school offers multiple student services, including career counseling, technical support, tutorials, and academic advising.
Purdue University Global
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 29%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $10,125 (in-state); $14,436 (out-of-state)
- Degree Levels Offered: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Certificates
- Financial Aid Offered: Tuition reduction, military education benefits, loans, grants
Purdue University Global is a public, nonprofit online university and part of the Purdue University System. It was formerly Kaplan University and was established in 2018 as Purdue University Global.
Purdue University Global offers over 175 online academic programs, including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate programs. The school prides itself on having graduates who earn between $34,000 to $62,000 within 18 months of graduation.
Southern New Hampshire University
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $15,380
- Degree Levels Offered: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Certificates
- Financial Aid Offered: Employer tuition assistance, military discounts, scholarships, grants, loans
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution in New Hampshire. It was established in 1932 as a two-room business school and has since grown to have two campus locations in Manchester and Nashua as well as an online campus. The online school offers over 200 career-focused programs, from associate degrees to doctorates, including certificate programs as well.
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St. John’s University
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $46,050
- Degree Levels Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Certificates
- Financial Aid Offered: Scholarships, grants
St. John’s University is a private Roman Catholic institution established in 1970 by the Vincentian Community. It has campuses in six locations in New York as well as an online campus. It offers over 100 programs of study through its five colleges and schools. It has a student body of over 23,000 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.
The University of Arizona Global Campus
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: $12,736 (in-state); $37,258 (out-of-state)
- Degree Levels Offered: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Certificates
- Financial Aid Offered: Scholarships, grants, Veterans Affairs education benefits, employee tuition savings, shared tuition savings, tuition reimbursement plan
The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) is the online campus of the University of Arizona. It was founded in 1918 as Mount St. Clare College and acquired by the University of Arizona in 2020.
UAGC offers a wide range of online college programs at various degree levels and in different fields of study. It also offers career services, which include job search, career exploration, resume writing, resource guides, and cover letter writing.
How to Apply for FAFSA
- Get all the necessary documentation ready. The very first step to take to apply for FAFSA is to get all the required information and documentation ready as you will be required to input certain personal information when applying. This information is what will be used to determine your financial aid eligibility.
- Visit the FAFSA website and create an FSA ID. The next step is to visit the FAFSA website and create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. This ID is used to sign the FAFSA form online, sign loan contracts, and access specific information. When creating the ID, you must input your information exactly as it appears on your social security card.
- Fill in the student and parent information. Once you have created your FSA ID, you can then proceed to fill out your FAFSA form. When filling out the form, you will be required to input relevant personal information and your parent’s information.
- Fill in your financial information. The next step in the application process is for you to provide your family’s financial information. This will include your personal income and your parent’s income. Students applying online can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to fill this section automatically.
- Review the form. After completing all the necessary sections, you should review the form for any errors. Pay close attention because any mistake you make can be costly.
- Sign and submit the form. When you have confirmed that your form is free of errors, you can then proceed to sign the form. Those filling it out electronically can also sign without printing out the form. After signing, just submit it and you’re done.
How to Find Online Colleges With Financial Aid
- Search for schools that offer your preferred program. To find schools that offer financial aid, start by doing an online school search for schools in your area. They should offer your preferred program and you should meet their admission requirements.
- Visit their websites. When you have singled out these schools, you can then proceed to check their websites to get the information you need.
- Go to their tuition and financial aid pages. To find their financial aid offers faster, you can do a search of the tuition and financial aid pages. This page will have all the relevant information on the school’s tuition, payment methods, and financial aid opportunities.
- Check the school’s financial aid options. When on the financial assistance page, you should view all the options available. Most schools offer some combination of scholarship opportunities, Pell Grants, private loans, federal student loans, installment plans, and tuition waivers. Here you should also find information on the school’s FAFSA policy.
- Check the FAFSA website for info on the school. You can also confirm schools that accept FAFSA by doing a school search on the FAFSA website. You can search for schools with their names or school codes, depending on what information you have.
Online Colleges That Don’t Accept FAFSA
- Penn Foster College
- Ashworth College
- Atlantic International University
- Columbus University
- American Liberty University
Is Online College Worth It?
Yes, online college is worth it because it allows you to learn from the convenience of your home. Students can take classes, complete tests, exams, and projects, and earn their entire degree online. Online colleges are especially great for out-of-state students who want to earn a degree from a particular school but don’t have the means to live in the school’s location.
Online colleges, and especially self-paced online colleges, are best for working professionals who cannot afford to dedicate all their time to attending classes and living on campus. By selecting an online school that accepts FAFSA, online students can significantly reduce their overall college costs and avoid incurring massive student debt.
Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA FAQ
Yes, you can use FAFSA for online college. All you have to do is find online colleges that accept FAFSA and apply to them.
Yes, FAFSA may cover the full cost of tuition if the student meets the eligibility requirements, and the financial aid can cover it. It is, however, rare for students to get the total cost of attendance covered with FAFSA. They may make up for it through other types of financial aid, such as private scholarships and private loans.
No, FAFSA doesn’t cover Penn Foster college. This is because the school doesn’t accept FAFSA as a means of financial aid. However, it provides tuition payment plans and financial aid for low-income students.
No, not all colleges accept FAFSA, but the majority of them do. The majority of colleges that don’t accept FAFSA are those that are not accredited. However, some accredited schools also don’t accept it. To know if a particular school accepts FAFSA, visit the school’s website.
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