How to Get a Degree for Free? Tuition-Free Ways You Should Know!

Nowadays, attaining a college degree is practically a requirement for many areas of work. Simultaneously, college tuition is at an all-time high. It’s easy for prospective students to get overwhelmed with all the various fees and living expenses they’d face should they attend college without any aid. Some students become defeated and resign themselves to decades of student loan debt. But that doesn’t have to be you. There are many ways students can prevent spending all their savings and get a largely discounted degree. Especially savvy students even discover how to pay nothing at all. So, we’ll share how to get a degree for free.

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How to Get a Degree for Free?

Here are a few ways you can earn a degree without breaking the bank.

Apply for Grants and Scholarships

The top thought on a student’s mind even before applying to colleges should be, “what scholarships can I qualify for?” Too often students miss out on many fantastic opportunities to decrease their college tuition simply because they have not thought to research the numerous grants and scholarships available. Scholarships are often given based on academic and athletic merit. Perhaps all your years playing a sport and getting top grades will pay off! It’s important to note that grants are distributed based on need.

Before you dive into the complexities of finding the best scholarship or grant, you must complete your Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Then you can begin to apply and ask your high school guidance counselor of the college financial aid office which scholarships you’d qualify for and if any local programs suit your needs. It’s important to know that every university possesses its own student financial aid package that can be applied for. There are also many grants and scholarships that are offered by organizations, schools, and religious organizations. There are so many possible scholarships that can benefit you so that you can get a free degree. Just be sure to start soon because many scholarships and grants are given to the earliest applicants.

Find an Employer-Sponsorship Program

Another step toward getting a free degree is working at a company that will provide tuition reimbursement. Large companies such as Google and Hulu assist their employees’ with college fees but some smaller companies might also offer such benefits. Certain employers will pay some part of your college expenses to help limit your total cost. Employers and employees both get up to $5,250 tax-free in tuition reimbursement each year.  Sometimes, the tuition benefits provided can cover all your college classes or just one class per semester. Still, if you plan to work while you complete your college degree, finding an employer to support your journey will definitely pay off.

Attend Tuition-free Schools

But wait, there’s more! Many colleges currently offer tuition-free programs.

In many states, you must graduate from an in-state high school and enroll full-time in order to meet the requirement for the free tuition program. Some colleges even require that you live in the state for a few years after you graduate. With this type of program students often have to pay for textbooks, living expenses, and supplies.

Alternatively, you can choose to earn your degree online at a tuition-free and accredited institution like the University of the People. We’ll tell you more of the details closer to the end of this article, so keep reading!

Serve in the Military

There are many benefits for people wishing to serve their country that result in getting a free degree.  Service academies like West Point, the United States Military Academy United States, and the United States Air Force Academy allow students to attend tuition-free with the commitment of postgraduate service. Since such academies can be extremely difficult to enter, another option would be to get cash through local Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs. The ROTC program, offered in over a thousand universities and colleges in the U.S.,  pays for a student’s college education and guarantees a career after schooling. Like with service academies, these benefits are in exchange for committing to serve after graduation.  Veterans can also get a free degree through GI Bill programs. People who have served on active duty after September 11, 2001 could qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill which provides aid for in-state tuition and gives money toward supplies, textbooks, and living expenses. The program’s full benefit includes full coverage of in-state tuition and fees for 36 months.

Get a Senior Discount

Tuition is often free for seniors who wish to take college courses. The slight drawback is that they will not receive course credits and may need to pay for their textbooks along with other fees. Still, if you are retired and crave the classroom atmosphere and learning new concepts, this is a fantastic option.

Study Abroad

If the concept of mixing travel with academics sounds appealing, look no further. Besides for the UK and Australia where tuition costs are similar to the U.S, many European countries offer extremely affordable courses.  Some countries that offer free degree or cheap tuition are Germany, Sweden, and France. In order to study abroad for free, some European countries require you to be a citizen, like the ones listed above. Public universities most commonly are the ones that offer free programs. You may be required to prove your language proficiency and pay a fee before you begin classes, but the costs stop from there.

Learn Online

The opportunity to get a college degree at less cost can become actualized through free online university courses. For example, Starbucks partnered with Arizona State University to ensure their employees can attain a tuition-free degree through ASU’s online programs. There are many tuition-free schools and there are also free online courses offered to seniors.

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Where to Earn Your Degree Online?

What if the idea of learning from home with a schedule that fits alongside your job sounds more appealing than going in person? There are many online colleges, but we’re going to share more about our very own University of the People. Not only is the University of the People accredited and entirely online, it also is tuition-free with minimal fees and the option to apply for scholarships.

This cuts the average tuition cost by 95 percent! With a wide variety of degree programs and certificate programs, UoPeople has a relatively low barrier to entry for optimized accessibility.  That means that no matter what stage in life you’re in, you will always be able to have access to quality education.

The Bottom Line

Now that you know how to get a degree for free and have many ways to find an affordable, quality education there is nothing stopping you from attending the best college courses to achieve your career goals. Whether you simply would like to continue your education or you are aiming toward a certain degree, there are many great options from which to choose.

Congratulations on taking the steps toward a successful future!

“I couldn’t apply for any loans so I decided not to go to college…then I was told about UoPeople“

Nathaly Ordonez

Business Administration Student, US