Contrary to popular belief, several online college scholarships are available for those enrolled in an online institution or those taking online classes from an on-campus school. Although applying for scholarships may seem a hefty task, a little effort can help you pay for an excellent online college education.
A student enrolled for an accredited online degree holds essentially the same eligibility for particular scholarships as a traditional student studying in a brick-and-mortar college.
In addition, there may even be some scholarship awards explicitly designed for students pursuing an online degree or courses!
Students who opt for distance learning programs need scholarships and financial aid as much as traditional students. If you’re pursuing an online degree, you’re highly encouraged to look into financial aid options, especially scholarships for women, minorities, and need-based scholarships. Read on to learn more about online college scholarships!
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Types Of Online College Scholarships
There are two primary kinds of scholarships available for online college students, which are as follows:
- Standard Scholarships – Scholarships available for students collectively in both traditional and online college settings
- Exclusively Online Student Scholarships – Scholarships available for students enrolled in online programs only
Although this may not seem to be a considerable distinction, both these kinds of scholarships have a separate list of pros and cons. It’s advisable to consider exclusive and standard scholarship awards when looking for scholarship funds.
Standard Scholarships
Standard scholarships are available for online students, but not exclusively. These scholarships are open in large numbers. Many organizations offer them, including non-profits, professional associations, special interest groups, and individual benefactors. These scholarships have particular requirements, such as academic merit, financial need, specific major, and other precise applicant demographics.
Online students can apply for standard scholarships to satisfy all eligibility requirements. However, it is crucial to read all conditions carefully and thoroughly, as some of such scholarships are for on-campus students only. Reading the fine print is essential lest an institute exclude you from a program.
Top Benefits of Standard Scholarships
The most significant benefit of standard scholarships is that they are plentiful. Students pursuing an online degree have several options, especially compared to the scholarships offered exclusively to online students. The total award sum is also usually more significant than exclusive online scholarships. Most prominent scholarship sponsors, especially professional associations, usually set up eligibility requirements that allow a large number of potential recipients.
Drawbacks of Standard Scholarships
The competition to earn these scholarships is cut-throat because of the vast number of applicants from all walks of college life. Not everyone succeeds in landing standard scholarships but weighed against the amount available, the odds are still good.
Exclusively Online Student Scholarships
Scholarships developed for only online students are relatively fewer in number than standard scholarships. They are also typically limited to students enrolled in a particular major or at a specific college. Exclusively online college scholarships are generally school-sponsored to promote online degree programs and elevate enrollment numbers.
Top Benefits Of Exclusively Online Student Scholarships
The most prominent benefits of scholarships for online students include:
- More flexible eligibility requirements
- Lower competition
Because there are fewer applicants for these scholarships, you don’t have to face the same level of competition as in standard scholarships. In some cases, there’s no competition, as schools can grant scholarships to all the incoming online students to boost enrollment. In that case, the only scholarship requirement is attaining admission to a particular online program.
Top Drawbacks of Online Student Scholarships
Exclusive scholarships for online students are not so readily available. They are harder to find, especially those not sponsored by a school. Purely online student scholarships also tend to come with lesser award amounts.
University-Granted Online College Scholarships
American University Online Program Scholarships
In American University’s online programs, all enrolled students are automatically considered for the scholarships they are eligible for, such as the online Master of Public Administration and Policy.
Berklee Online Music Scholarships
The Berklee College of Music currently offers 16 online scholarships of approximately $1,500 each for the current students of this online school.
The Welch Scholarship from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health grants the $20,000 Welch Scholarship to all new online or part-time students of the Master of Public Health (MPH).
Penn State World Campus Scholarships
The Penn State World Campus offers undergraduate scholarships to online students who wish to study at the Pennsylvania State University’s World Campus (online campus).
Washington State University ASWSU Global Scholarship
Based on financial need and academic merit, scholarships are available for returning and new online students of Washington State University’s global campus.
Western Governors University Scholarships
Several online scholarships are available for online students at bachelor’s or master’s levels. Some of these are available in association with other organizations.
Organization-Granted Online College Scholarships
UNICAF Scholarships
Scholarships are available for online students of any nationality. They can undertake online courses offered by the US’s Marymount California University, the UK’s University of South Wales, and the Cypriot University of Nicosia.
Scholarships for Nontraditional Online Students
COVID-19 Impact Scholarship
The National Center for Learning Disabilities announced 12 scholarships for students who suffered from academic disruption because of the effects of Covid-19. Eligible applicants are students who experienced a change in enrollment, a shift in credit loan, a change in financial assistance, or a loss of a career opportunity or internship. The award amount comes up to $1,500.
Fully Bloomed Scholarship
The Fully Bloomed Scholarship is available for mothers pursuing postsecondary education. The eligible students must have a high school diploma and be from a house with a combined income below $45,000 per year. The award amount is about $500.
Return2College Scholarship
Applicants must be US citizens, at least 17 years old, and prospective or current part-time/full-time students in an online program within 12 months of attaining the award. Non-traditional students are highly encouraged to apply for this scholarship with an award amount of $1,000.
Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education
Students 23 years of age who meet at least one of ANTSHE’s eligibility criteria can apply for this scholarship. The criteria include hailing from a low-income household, having a minority student status, having a single parent, etc. The award amount, in this case, is variable.
Imagine America Foundation Adult Skills Education Program
This scholarship is for applicants who are US citizens, at least 19 years of age and have plans to pursue a college education in an institute that participates in the Imagine America scholarship program. Winners of this scholarship must not have a previous award from Imagine America to be eligible for the award amount of $1,000.
Colwell Law Group Single Parent Scholarship
Single parents already enrolled in or planning to enroll in a US undergraduate, graduate, or law program are eligible for this scholarship. The award amount is $1,000, but applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 to qualify.
Universities Offering the Best Online College Scholarships
Several universities and colleges with online degree programs collectively provide institutional scholarships for on-campus and online students. Below, we’ll look at the best online schools that offer similar online college scholarship opportunities to students, along with some examples of the available scholarships:
1. Colorado State University Global (CSU Global)
CSU Global offers entirely online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a wide array of majors. The institute sponsors eight exclusive scholarships to provide monetary support to its students. Each of these scholarships has an emphasis (community leadership, academic excellence), purpose (career enhancement, continuing education), or particular student base (financial difficulties, military personnel).
These scholarships are available for working adults who “embody the mission of Colorado State University Global” by juggling their degree programs with all professional and personal life obligations.
The scholarship amounts usually vary, and the sums granted each trimester term. The deadline for scholarship application is almost one month before the start of each term. New students can apply by contacting their enrollment counselors. Continuing students can set up their Scholarship Universe account by logging in to their CSU Global email account and completing the application form.
2. Kansas State Global Campus
Kansas State University’s online program is known as the K-State Global Campus. It offers more than 100-degree programs, from associates to doctoral and certificate programs. In addition, K-State Global Campus offers 16 specially designed online college scholarships to its Global Campus students. The institute provides scholarships exclusively to students in particular colleges, departments, and degree programs.
K-State Global Campus offers scholarships with specific requirements, including degree completion, military spouse, academic merit, etc.
One of its highly sought-after return-to-school scholarship programs covers $1,000, with the application deadline on June 1 every year. It is open to students 25 years and older who have returned to school to pursue a previously pursued degree. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.25 or more. The scholarship is renewable in the spring for students who maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA. Eligible students can go to the scholarship webpage and follow the link to complete the online application. Students must fill out only one application form per award period to consider all the scholarships and aid options for which they may be eligible.
3. Penn State World Campus
The Penn State World Campus offers over 150 certificate, graduate, and undergraduate degree programs in more than a dozen highly sought-after fields. Exclusive scholarships are available for returning and first-time World Campus undergraduate students through the World Campus Scholarships Programs and the World Campus Student Fund.
World Campus does not currently offer any exclusive scholarships for graduate-level students. However, students can find several scholarship opportunities for World Campus grad students through the Penn State Graduate School or the particular degree program’s consultation office.
One such World Campus Student Fund scholarship offers a variable amount of money to students, with an application deadline of September 30 every year. This scholarship is available for undergraduate students completing at least 24 credits in their program. They should also have a 3.2 cumulative GPA and demonstrate financial need. The application form for this scholarship is available on the scholarship program webpage. It includes a brief essay, personal statement, and professional reference.
4. Washington State University-Global Campus
Washington State University Global Campus boasts a solid online footprint and offers 13 graduate and 21 undergraduate programs. The majority are 100% online. The institute also provides undergraduate and graduate certificates, teaching endorsements, and special education courses. Students can apply for university-wide online college scholarships and the Global Campus-exclusive scholarships via the ASWSU Global Internship Scholarships and the ASWSU Global Scholarships.
The ASWSU Global Scholarship offers an amount of $1,000. Continuing and new students to the WSU Global Campus can apply for this scholarship on academic merit, financial need, or both. The application deadline is July 1 for the entire academic year, November 1 for spring only, and March 15 for summer. Scholarship recipients must complete at least six semester hours during the spring and fall or three semester hours during the summer. In addition, they must maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA to continue to receive this award.
The application requirements include an essay addressing the applicant’s personal experience regarding the seven stated categories and the student aid report (SAR) they receive after filing the FAFSA.
5. Western Governors University
Western Governors University offers various bachelor’s and master’s degrees in multiple disciplines. Including healthcare, business, IT, teaching, and WGU-scholarships that match these domains. The awards vary depending upon the kind of scholarship, usually between $2,000 and $5,000 each. WGU partners with outside organizations such as the Western Association of Food Chains, the Red Cross, AmeriCorps, and other educational institutions.
The “Master Your Future” scholarship is a relatively popular program. It offers $2,500 broken down into $1,250 per six-month term (renewable up to two terms). The institute awards the scholarship based on various factors, such as academic record, readiness for online education, current competency, and financial need. The application deadline is June 30 every year, and applicants must be in a master’s degree program at the time of application.
Applicants must complete the online general scholarship application and the WGU admission process to apply for this scholarship. The institute then informs the applicants about all the eligible scholarships. They complete a supplemental application for the particular scholarship of their choice.
Grants For Online Students
Grants, like online college scholarships, are free money that enables students to pay for their higher education expenses. Some grants require applicants to agree to particular obligations, such as working in a specific field for a certain amount of time. The primary difference between scholarships and grants is that scholarships are merit-based. Grants are generally need-based. Most federal and state governments fund these grants, and applicants must fill out the FAFSA to be eligible.
Following are the three primary types of grants for students:
1. Pell Grants
Pell Grants go to undergraduate students who do not possess a professional or bachelor’s degree. A student’s financial needs determine the amount of aid they receive. Also considered is their status as a full- or part-time student, the cost of attendance, and if they plan to attend college for an entire academic year or less.
2. State Government Grants
Almost all state governments offer grants to students. Still, most are limited to state residents pursuing education in a particular in-state college. The award amounts vary by state, and most programs have annual deadlines.
3. Private Grants
Professional and trade organizations usually disperse such grants. The award amounts vary greatly depending on the kind of organization funding it.
Best Grants For Online Students
Check out some of the best grants for online students:
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Applicants to this grant must fill out the FAFSA and exhibit financial need. This award is granted directly for undergraduate study at a participating university or college. The award amount varies from one scholarship to the next but is typically between $100-$4,000.
Federal Pell Grant
Applicants for this grant must demonstrate financial need and fill out the FAFSA. The grant amount varies each year, with the maximum amount up to $6,495 for the academic year 2022-23. A majority of the grant recipients are undergraduate students. The deadline to apply is June.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
Individuals who lost their guardian or parent because of military service in Afghanistan or Iraq after 9/11 can apply for this grant. The applicant must be younger than 24 when their guardian or parent passed away or be enrolled part-time in college. Applicants cannot qualify for a Pell Grant based on their calculated family contribution. Still, they should meet all other Pell Grant requirements. The award amount is equal to the Pell Grant maximum sum each year. The deadline to apply is June.
PEO Program for Continuing Education
The eligibility requirements for this grant include being a female citizen of the US or Canada residing in Canada or the US for a complete degree or certificate program. In addition, the applicant must have spent at least two years as a non-student adult, be within 18 months of completing their education, and hold a recommendation by a PEO chapter. The grant amount comes to $3,000, and the deadline to apply is at least eight weeks before the term program for which the student will use the grant.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
Applicants for this grant must fill out the FAFSA and be eligible for basic federal financial aid. In addition, they must be in a TEACH Grant-eligible post-baccalaureate, bachelor’s, or graduate program. They must also undertake TEACH Grant counseling every year they receive the award and sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve. The total award amount comes to about $4,000, and the application deadline is October.
Find Online College Scholarships Today
A student’s college education is a significant and expensive endeavor. Not all students can afford the hefty fees for in-person or online college programs. But instead of giving up on college, consider the substantial scholarships available to online students!
This article has given you the tools to choose the most suitable scholarship. Check out all the resources on GetEducated.com to learn more, and make an informed decision about your academic and financial future!
Online College Scholarships FAQ
Can I get a student loan for online degree programs?
You can get a student loan for an online degree program or course. Students enrolled in online schools are as eligible for financial aid as those studying in brick-and-mortar colleges.
How do I get money for a college education without student loans?
Other financial aid options include:
- Grants are primarily need-based; the US Department of Education is the most substantial provider of student grants.
- Scholarships are awarded based on merit or other non-need-based criteria and do not require repayment.
- Fellowships are merit-based awards that students receive for graduate or specialized postgraduate study in their particular area of expertise.
- Federal Work-Study Programs prompt schools to pay students who work part-time. Part-time work may entail off-campus or on-campus jobs and usually pay a salaried or hourly wage.
These financial assistance options require students to meet specific academic standards and complete application forms. You can start by completing and submitting the FAFSA application, which determines the amount of financial aid you can qualify for from the university of your choice and the federal government. You can also research the scholarship opportunities that independent organizations and universities offer.
Can FAFSA cover the online college expenses?
Only accredited online degree programs are eligible for financial aid. Students must look into a school’s accreditation status before enrolling or speak with an advisor to understand if the online program is suitable for federal financial aid. If yes, you should submit your FAFSA by the end of June. However, it would help if you signaled sufficient time for form completion as it requires detailed financial information.
What is the most affordable online college?
Some of the cheapest online colleges include Golden Gate University, the University of Florida, and Purdue University. These institutions offer online degree programs to students across the United States and offer students the option of mitigating tuition costs with scholarships and financial aid.
The tuition prices usually vary depending upon the degree program and the student’s in-state vs. out-of-state residency status. Students can consult their prospective school’s admission support department to determine which financial opportunities are available.