Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
Top 10 Online Colleges That Accept the FAFSA
By
Savannah Dawson
Prior to coming to Scholarships360 for her first internship in 2022, Savannah utilized her campus publications by joining various fashion publications that are offered at Ohio University. One of those publications is Thread Magazine, where Savannah has had the opportunity to work on articles related to world-wide related fashion news and events, as well as articles closer to home, such as a fashion piece on Athens hometown-hero Joe Burrow. This year, Savannah also had the opportunity to be a content writing intern for Aiken House, as well as a section editor for Southeast Ohio Magazine. In 2023, Savannah served as the Chapter President of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. These collective experiences, as well as her experience currently working for Ohio University’s Undergraduate Admissions, has led her to Scholarships360 and aided in her passion for helping students better understand the college admissions process and financial aid. In her free time, Savannah enjoys horseback riding, watching Formula One races, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Savannah will graduate from Ohio University in May 2024 with a degree in Journalism News and Information and a certificate in Italian Studies.
Full BioLearn about our editorial policies
Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
Full BioLearn about our editorial policies
If you are planning on being an online college student, you may be wondering whether online colleges accept the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In this article, we’ll share a sampling of accredited online schools that accept the FAFSA. Our list includes schools that are known for their undergraduate and graduate programs. Let’s dive right in!
First, what is the FAFSA?
The Federal Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a crucial part of the financial aid process. The FAFSA is what will determine your eligibility for financial aid from colleges/universities and the federal government. Two of the most common forms of federal aid that students receive from the FAFSA are the Pell Grant and Direct Loans
It is crucial to fill out the FAFSA by your state’s deadline. So, get started if you haven’t filled it out yet!
What qualifies a school for the FAFSA?
At the end of the day, being online or in-person does not determine whether a school can accept the FAFSA. Any school, in-person or online, can accept the FAFSA so long as it is officially accredited. Let’s get into what that means below.
What does “accredited” mean?
When a college or university is accredited, it means that one of the private college accreditation agencies gives a particular school its stamp of approval. Accreditation is acquired when the school achieves and maintains certain academic standards. Students who attend colleges and universities that are not accredited are not eligible for federal financial aid.
Further reading: What does “accredited” mean and why does it matter?
Online colleges that accept FAFSA
As a reminder, the following are a sampling of schools that accept the FAFSA. Remember, there are many accredited online colleges and universities that accept the same financial aid that in-person institutions accept. This list is a compilation of accredited schools with established online programs that accept the FAFSA. We included five undergraduate and five graduate schools to help get your search started!
Undergraduate online colleges
The University of Arizona Global Campus
The University of Arizona has a great reputation for their online options, as they are partnered with many major brands to help employees with tuition. UArizona is generous with funding, so naturally they also accept the FAFSA. This accredited university is a place to start your degree or continue on for the full four years.
St. John’s University
St. John’s University, a private Catholic university based in Queens, New York, is a popular place to complete a bachelor’s degree. Not only does St. John’s University accept the FAFSA, but they also offer private scholarships. St. John’s also offers students and families resources to complete the FAFSA correctly so that they are on time with the application and get the most out of it that they can.
Concordia University – Irvine
Concordia University – Irvine is a reputable university that offers online programs for undergraduate and graduate students. This brick and mortar university is located in Irvine, California, but you can live anywhere in the world and access their online programs. Concordia says that they are still able to build community while remaining fully online, something that many colleges and universities cannot offer to their online students. Their financial aid is determined by the student’s financial need and meritorious academic achievement.
University of Florida
The University of Florida prides themselves on the fact that whether online or on their campus, students are taught by the same professors and join the same large learning community. In addition to financial aid, students also spend less money on their degrees because of choosing to learn remotely. The University of Florida offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Purdue University Global
Purdue University’s main physical campus is located in Lafayette, Indiana. With a diverse range of programs to choose from, Purdue University Global is one of the leading online undergraduate programs in the USA. Ranked in the top 10 most innovative schools in the country, Purdue University Global has a variety of tips and tricks to help you save money on your degree.
Online graduate degree programs
When it comes to FAFSA for students working towards a master’s degree, one thing to keep in mind is that although you are allowed to file your FAFSA, anything above a bachelor’s degree is considered “independent.” This means that you will not have to submit your parents information as you normally would when you are in your undergraduate years.
Bradley University
Bradley University is a well-known university for online master’s programs. They offer a specialized education for master’s students– something they pride themselves on because that can be a difficult feat when it comes to online education. They also offer clinicals, practicums, and internships depending on what a student is studying.
University of Maryland Global Campus
The University of Maryland’s Global Campus offers over 40 different master’s degree programs, not including their military-specific programs. This gives students a wide range of options when deciding what they want to earn an additional degree in– from data analytics to strategic communications. The University of Maryland also offers helpful online tools that can make it easy to estimate your tuition costs.
Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus has 55 different master’s program specializations to choose from. Their online degrees have the same level of rigor as the in-person degrees. With world class faculty and many opportunities to learn, the Penn State World Campus offers a great number of options to build your own path.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University has tons of degree options, ranging from bachelor’s to doctorate programs. SNHU’s master’s programs in particular are diverse in areas of study and known for their flexible options for earning degrees. Students can also earn certain master’s degrees at SNHU in as little as 15 months.
American Public University
American Public University offers an online master’s program that provides a cost effective option. They also offer dual degree programs that can be completed online as well. American Public University has online tools to help students calculate their tuition costs and figure out ways to pay besides loans and scholarships.
See also: Top scholarships for online students
Final thoughts for students
As you can see, no matter what degree you want to earn or what you are planning on studying, there are accredited online colleges and universities that accept the FAFSA. Most of the schools also have online tools on their websites that help students get a better understanding of what the bottom line cost is. Remember, loans should always be a last resort!
Related: 10 tips for taking online classes
Additional resources
Now that you’ve seen a few schools that accept the FAFSA, it’s time to get started with the financial aid process. After your FAFSA is filled out, you can start applying for scholarships and, if necessary, loans. We can also help you choose between your online college options and decide how many to apply to.
It’s always a good idea to start with applying for scholarships at your higher education institution of choice, but you should also apply for outside scholarships as well. At Scholarships360, we have you covered when it comes to looking for scholarships. Good luck with the rest of your college journey, and make sure to apply for all the scholarships you qualify for while you are eligible!
Frequently asked questions about top online colleges that accept the FAFSA
Do I have to send SAT/ACT test scores to apply to online schools?
Does online school cost less than going on campus?
