Online College Scholarships: Pay for Your Education

Get all the best tips and tricks for paying for online college with our ultimate list of online college scholarships!

Online education is more popular than ever, with 53.2% of all students enrolled in at least one distance-learning course in 2023. However, while online college offers flexibility and accessibility, tuition costs can still be a major concern.

Fortunately, many scholarships are specifically designed for online students, helping to make higher education more affordable. You're in the right place if you're searching for scholarships to fund your online degree. In this guide, we'll cover:

• Exclusive list of scholarships for online students
• Credible, high-dollar amount grants like the TEACH grant
• How to apply for scholarships
• Tips on crafting a winning scholarship application

Navigate the highs and lows of remote learning with a financial safety net from these scholarships. Whether you're pursuing an associate's certificate program, a bachelor's degree, or something else, our team at Bold.org will help y!

Students enrolled in online classes can work from anywhere and oftentimes cut costs for housing and living expenses. On the downside, staying focused and getting to know your classmates or professors can be hard.

Want to look into exclusive scholarship opportunities for better chances and bigger rewards? Create a free applicant profile with Bold.org to get started today!

Best Online Colleges Scholarships

1. Need-Based Scholarships

According to Champlain College, online colleges are usually cheaper than traditional colleges. For this reason, students with greater financial need tend to choose online colleges over traditional colleges. If you're in this position, these need-based scholarships will be the perfect way to graduate debt-free!

2. Scholarships for Homeschoolers

Most homeschoolers are well-versed in online learning, and many of them choose to continue with online higher education. If you've ever been homeschooled, you'll qualify for these top scholarships for homeschoolers!

3. Single Parent Scholarships

Caring for a child with a partner to shoulder half the burden is already tough enough. Having to do so by yourself requires infinite patience and perseverance. If you're trying to start or continue your college education as a single parent, time and money are often scarce. These single parents scholarships hope to ease that burden with sustainable financial aid options!

If you're applying for an online graduate program, check out these top scholarships for graduate school students!

Best Scholarships for Minorities

1. Scholarships for Minorities

Minority students often face extra challenges to get to where they are now, in comparison to their counterparts. But now, we have your back with these scholarships to bridge the gap and enable you to reach your full potential!

2. Scholarships for International Students

International students often face the most financial struggles as they navigate a new country with different financial systems and many barriers to getting employed. For many, online colleges are a great way to get a college education abroad.

3. Scholarships for Immigrants

Many immigrants find it hard to assimilate into their new home, and taking that big leap towards an in-person college can feel daunting. Consequently, online colleges have arisen as a more convenient and affordable option, and these scholarships for immigrants can help you pay your tuition without worry!

Best Scholarships for Majors

1. Nursing Scholarships

According to Affordable Colleges, the most popular online college major is nursing. It may seem counter-intuitive, since nursing education requires lots of in-person clinical practice, but online colleges enable students to fulfill academic requirements from the convenience of their home, and clinical requirements at a nearby health center.

2. Business Scholarships

Business is one of the world's most popular majors, and it's no surprise that it ranks #2 at online colleges. With digital innovations saturating the market, earning an online business degree can be easier than ever!

3. Computer Science Scholarships

Perhaps no other major is better suited for online education than computer science. The very courses teaching you how to code and program are built by computer scientists, bringing you the best online experience possible. If you're pursuing this highly valuable degree, these scholarships will help you pay your college costs!

Pursuing something in the STEM realm? You have to apply for these STEM scholarships to decrease your college costs!

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Online Colleges Scholarships

1. Research Scholarships

The first step to applying for scholarships is to find them first! Our list of scholarships above is comprehensive and covers a variety of needs, so you're sure to find something to suit your interests! However, you can also do your own research through public and private organizations.

Make sure to check out university/school aid offices, local organizations, and online scholarship platforms. All three are valuable sources for online students looking to procure financial aid. Applying to schools may qualify you for their existing financial aid packages, and affiliations with local clubs and organizations may connect you with regional scholarships.

2. Check Eligibility Requirements

The most frustrating thing when applying for scholarships is spending loads of time and energy into a scholarship application you can't submit because you don't qualify. Reading the eligibility requirements thoroughly guarantees you're not wasting your time.

3. Collect Application Materials

Most scholarships will require a variety of materials. Depending on the scholarship, some of these materials may be weighed more heavily than others, so make sure all your materials are accurate and up-to-date. Some common application materials include:

• Academic Transcript – Even if you’re attending an online college, you’ll likely need to provide transcripts from your high school or previous institutions.
• Letters of Recommendation – Some scholarships require recommendations from teachers, employers, or mentors who can speak to your academic ability and character.
• Proof of Enrollment – Online college scholarships often require proof that you are currently enrolled or accepted into an accredited online program.
• Personal Essay – Many scholarships ask for an essay detailing your background, career goals, or how online education fits into your life.

4. Write a Strong Personal Essay

Your personal essay is your chance to stand out from other applicants. Tailor each essay to the specific scholarship and highlight your unique experiences as an online student. Discuss why online education is the right choice for you, how it helps you overcome challenges, and how the scholarship will support your goals. Be authentic and persuasive, and make sure your essay is well-structured and free of grammatical errors.

Get in-depth insider tips into writing stellar scholarship essays!

5. Double-Check Your Application

Before submitting, review your entire application to ensure all required materials are included and correctly formatted. Many online scholarships have digital submission processes, so double-check for formatting guidelines and file types. Have a trusted friend, mentor, or professor review your application for any mistakes or inconsistencies.

6. Submit & Follow-Up

Once you’ve submitted your scholarship application, keep track of deadlines and any follow-up steps. Some scholarships may require interviews or additional documents. If you don’t hear back by the expected timeline, consider reaching out to confirm your application was received. Staying organized and proactive can increase your chances of securing funding for your online education.

Tips for Applying to Online Colleges Scholarships

Tip #1 Be Specific

Tailor your essay to the scholarship provider's mission. If they're a non-profit dedicated to reducing student debt, elaborate on how their funds will help you graduate debt-free. If they're a computer science foundation trying to promote STEM skills, emphasize your skills in these areas.

Tip #2 Apply, Apply, Apply

As the saying goes, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Even if you write a stellar application for a large scholarship, you can't guarantee you'll win it. Applying for multiple scholarships increases your chances of winning enough to cover your financial need.

Tip #3 Explore Additional Resources

Applying to as many scholarships as possible is a great idea, but so is applying for financial aid outside of scholarship opportunities. Things like grants, loans, and work-study programs can help you pay for college just as easily as scholarships. Discover all our recommended additional resources for online college students below!

Additional Resources for Online College Students

1. Gates Scholarship

The Gates Scholarship is one of the U.S.'s biggest scholarship programs, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Students will have their entire attendance cost covered, including tuition, housing, meals, textbooks, transportation, and other educational expenses. To qualify, students must be minority high school seniors eligible for a Pell Grant.

2. TEACH Grant

Grants are similar to scholarships in that they provide money that doesn't have to be paid back. However, they typically involve a research component or a commitment to work in a certain sector. For example, the TEACH grant (a form of federal financial aid) provides up to $4,000 for students who commit to teaching in under-resourced areas after graduating.

3. Federal Work-Study

The U.S. government offers a federal aid program to pay you for community service and work related to your major, such as research or unpaid internships. Eligible students must display financial need and be a part-time or full-time student enrolled at an accredited university. Undergraduate and graduate students in online degree programs are eligible, in addition to traditional in-person students.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges Scholarships

Will FAFSA pay for online college?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) doesn't offer money. Instead, it is an application used by the U.S. government to determine how much financial need you have. The FAFSA can qualify you for financial aid like scholarship funds, grants, and work-study programs, which can then be used to pay for online college. Online students' eligibility for the FAFSA is dependent on attending an accredited online institution and demonstrating financial need.

What GPA do you need for a full-tuition scholarship?

There's no set number, but generally, a GPA above 3.8 is required to at least be considered. Of course, it'll depend on how competitive the scholarship is and where you're studying, but full-tuition scholarships are usually reserved for the most accomplished students. However, you have nothing to lose from applying and everything to gain, so go for it!

What is the best online college?

US News and World Report ranks University of Buffalo - SUNY as the #1 best online college. Pursuing an online degree at this public institution gives you access to a wealth of quality lectures and course materials from the ease of your home. University of Buffalo is especially renowned for its RN to BS nursing program.

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