6 Ways You Can Go to College for Free (and Advice If You Can’t)

If you want to learn how to go to college for free, you’re in the right place. Going to college debt-free might sound like a pipe dream, but it can be a reality if you know where to look. There are several different programs, grants, scholarships, organizations, and employers that can help you go to school for free or with drastically reduced tuition.

In this article, we’ll share six ways to go to college for free. We’ll give links to specific resources you can visit to explore opportunities in your area. If you’re willing to think outside the box, apply for scholarships, and research job opportunities that can help you attend school for free, you can earn a degree without having to incur significant student loan debt.

Table of Contents

1. 6 ways you can go to college for free
   1. 1. Take advantage of federal and state programs
   2. 2. Apply for scholarships and grants
   3. 3. Explore free community college opportunities
   4. 4. Leverage employer tuition assistance programs
   5. 5. Pursue free or subsidized online degree programs
   6. 6. Study abroad for free (or at a low cost)
2. What if you don’t qualify for free college tuition?
3. FAQ

6 ways you can go to college for free

Here are six ways to go to college for free or reduced tuition.

1. Take advantage of federal and state programs

Numerous federal and state programs provide tuition assistance to students, especially those with documented financial need. The Pell Grant is one of the most well-known grants, providing just over $7,000 annually to qualifying students. To be considered for financial aid, you must submit the FAFSA by the deadline.

In addition to federal programs, several states also have their own state-based tuition programs and free tuition initiatives. Search your state for opportunities in your area. Some examples include the Tennessee Promise program and Louisiana’s TOPS program.

2. Apply for scholarships and grants

Scholarships and grants are incredibly helpful for students because they do not have to be paid back. Each school will have different merit-based and need-based financial aid scholarships. Check with your university’s financial aid office to see if you need to submit any additional information with your application to be considered for a scholarship or grant. 

You can also search online databases and apps that enable you to filter scholarship based on your age, interests, and other factors. Here are some examples of places to research scholarships:

• Fastweb
• Scholly by Sallie Mae
• RaiseMe
• Scholar’s App

Some scholarship applications will require you to submit a transcript, essay, or teacher’s letter of recommendation to be considered. In contrast, others might grant scholarships based on demonstrated need or even a lottery. Applying to several scholarships and keeping current on deadlines can help you stay organized and apply to as many as possible.

3. Explore free community college opportunities

Community colleges are another great way to go to college affordability, and most community college credits can be transferred to four-year universities. Here are examples of some state-wide initiatives and programs that offer free community college to students who meet certain criteria:

• California’s Promise Program: This program enables qualifying students to attend community college for free at participating institutions. Not all institutions offer this, so you should check with your local college to see if this award is available. 
• Connecticut’s Mary Ann Handley Award: This covers community college tuition and fees that aren’t covered by federal and state grants.
• Delaware Technical Community College SEED Scholarship: Qualifying students can use this scholarship for workforce training programs, certificates, and degrees at this community college.
• Maine’s Free College Scholarship: This scholarship covers free tuition for recent high school graduates in Maine at Maine’s community colleges.
• Massachusetts Mass Educate Program: This program covers tuition and fees for Massachusetts students who meet eligibility requirements. 

This is just a sample of free community college opportunities. Research or call your local community colleges to see what programs are available in your area.

4. Leverage employer tuition assistance programs

If you want to further your education but want to work full-time, look for employers that offer tuition assistance programs. Many companies offer tuition reimbursement or will directly pay for university on their employees’ behalf. For cash flow purposes, prioritize applying to employers who will pay your tuition upfront, rather than waiting for a reimbursement check.

Here are several top companies that offer free or reduced tuition for their employees:

• Walmart: Walmart announced in 2021 that it would invest $1 billion in career training and development. The program, Live Better U (LBU) pays for 100% of college tuition and books for employees.
• Starbucks: Starbucks covers 100% of tuition at Arizona State University for employees.
• UPS: UPS has a program called Earn & Learn. It offers up to $5,250 each year towards tuition, with a maximum of $25,000.
• Amazon: Amazon offers higher education support, including college and fees, tuition up to a yearly maximum, job training, and career coaching.

There are several well-known companies that offer tuition assistance, but there are many more employers that offer tuition reimbursement. Additionally, many states offer tuition reimbursement for teachers to further their education.

5. Pursue free or subsidized online degree programs

Several free online education platforms and nonprofit universities enable you to take classes online and earn certifications or degrees.

Free (or low-cost) online education platforms

Several education platforms partner with universities to provide students with low-cost courses and degrees. Here are some examples:

• edX: edX is an online platform that partners with many universities to provide courses to students in a variety of different disciplines. Although there are fees and costs to attaining certificates and degrees, you can audit many courses for free. Additionally, you can pay a small fee for a certificate to show you’ve taken a course.
• Coursera: Coursera is an online platform that partners with 350 universities to deliver online courses. While there are fees to take some classes and earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree, there are also hundreds of free courses.

Nonprofit universities offering free or low-cost degrees

• The University of the People (UoPeople): UoPeople is a non-profit, accredited online university that provides associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees for free. Students pay small assessment fees at the end of each course, and scholarships are available for those expressing financial need.
• The Open University: The Open University is an exempt charity based in the United Kingdom. It offers several free courses on numerous topics that students can take. It also offers several paid courses that are available at a fraction of the cost of traditional universities.

How to evaluate program quality

Before enrolling in a program and paying for application fees, ensure the program is accredited and that other educational institutions and employers recognize it as a valid degree program. 

Additionally, be wary of programs that aren’t transparent about fees. Ask about book, material, application, and even transcript fees. Legitimate programs will be upfront about the total cost of their programs.

Finally, if you need to apply for federal financial aid to fill in tuition gaps, you must enroll in a school that accepts the FAFSA. You can contact the school’s financial aid office to see if they use the FAFSA or the School Search function on the Federal Student Aid website to see if the school you want to attend is on the list. 

6. Study abroad for free (or at a low cost)

There are several ways to study abroad for free or reduced cost. For example, there are scholarships such as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program that help undergraduates with financial need study abroad. Rotary International is also an organization well-known for providing study abroad scholarships, grants, and fellowships.

Additionally, many European countries like Norway and Germany used to offer free tuition to American students. However, recently, many universities began charging American students tuition, although rates are much lower than in the United States.

Remember that when studying abroad, you should also budget for the cost of living, visa requirements, and travel expenses. Additionally, some countries might have language requirements you must meet before attending school there.

What if you don’t qualify for free college tuition?

If you don’t qualify for free college tuition, don’t worry—you still have options to make your education affordable. Start by completing the FAFSA. Even if you’re not eligible for tuition-free programs, the FAFSA can help you access grants, work-study programs, and federal student loans.

When it comes to borrowing, we recommend prioritizing federal loans first. Subsidized Loans are ideal because the government covers the interest while you’re in school, which saves you money. 

If you need additional funding, consider Unsubsidized Loans next. Only turn to private student loans to fill the remaining gaps in your budget. If you decide on private loans, we recommend using a marketplace (Credible is our favorite) to compare rates and terms from multiple lenders and find the best deal for your situation.

Check out our list of the best private student loans for more.

I’m a huge fan of using all of these opportunities. I do not want my clients to take on a large amount of debt unless that degree opportunity will offer starting salaries that can make those loan payments. One big rule of thumb is: Only take on a total amount of debt for your schooling that your first-year starting salary would pay. If you’re going to be a teacher, you may start out as low as $40,000/year. If you’re an engineer and will start at $80,000, you should, theoretically, be able to take on that amount of debt.

FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about going to college for free.

Can I go to college for free as an adult?

Yes, going to college for free as an adult is possible. Adults going back to school should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Adults of any age who qualify for Federal Pell Grants can attend school for free or at a discounted rate. Numerous employers, like Starbucks, offer free college tuition to their employees.

Free college for senior citizens

For adults over age 60, here are some colleges and universities that offer free tuition to qualifying students:

• Clemson University: Residents who are at least 60 can apply for free tuition.
• Georgia Tech: Residents aged 62 and up can be eligible for undergraduate and graduate classes.
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Residents 60 and older can take one three-credit class or less per semester for free, though fees may apply.
• University of Virginia: Residents age 60 and older who have lived in Virginia for one year can take classes for free, including no fees.

More than 20 states offer free tuition to seniors. Research your state and local colleges and universities to see if this is something available in your area.

How can I go to community college for free?

USA Today reports that more than 30 states offer a tuition-free community college education. Every state has different criteria, but typically, these are for recent high school graduates with financial need.

How old do you have to be to go to college for free?

Depending on the scholarships and grants you receive or the programs you choose, you can go to college for free at any age, from high school students to senior citizens. If you have a high school student, research dual-enrollment programs, which allow high school students to take free college courses.

Free college for high school students

Here are some examples of dual enrollment programs in various states:

• Hawaii: Hawaii has a GEAR UP Hawaii Running Start Scholarship that covers the cost of dual enrollment for students with financial needs.
• Illinois: Chicago Public Schools offers a Dual Enrollment Program where high school juniors and seniors can take college courses for free for eligible students.
• Florida: Several colleges and universities have dual enrollment programs in Florida, including Florida International University, which allows high school students to earn college credits tuition-free.

To see if there are dual enrollment programs in your area for your high school student, research online or ask your child’s high school guidance counselor about available options.