Online Colleges That Pay You To Attend: Complete Guide to Getting Paid While Earning Your Degree
In today’s competitive educational landscape, finding ways to fund your college education is more important than ever. What if you could not only reduce your educational costs but actually get paid to attend college? This may sound too good to be true, but several online colleges and universities offer programs that effectively pay students through generous financial aid packages, stipends, and other incentives.
Understanding “Get Paid to Attend” Programs
When we talk about colleges that “pay you to attend,” we’re typically referring to institutions where the financial aid package exceeds the cost of tuition and fees, resulting in a credit balance that gets refunded to students. This money can be used for living expenses, books, technology, or other educational costs.
Several factors contribute to this beneficial financial situation:
- Federal and state grants
- Institutional scholarships
- Work-study programs
- Stipends for specific majors
- Military benefits
- Employer tuition assistance programs
Top Online Colleges That May Pay You to Attend
Western Governors University (WGU)
WGU operates on a competency-based education model with flat-rate tuition, allowing students to complete as many courses as possible within a six-month term for a single fee. This structure, combined with their generous scholarship opportunities, means that determined students can effectively lower their per-credit costs significantly.
WGU offers numerous scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, and their already competitive tuition rates (approximately $3,500-$4,500 per six-month term depending on the program) make it possible for students with federal grants to receive refunds.
The university specializes in business, education, IT, and healthcare programs. Their competency-based approach allows students to move quickly through material they already know, potentially saving thousands in educational costs.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
SNHU has gained recognition for its affordability and flexible online programs. With tuition at approximately $320 per credit hour for undergraduate programs, students who qualify for maximum federal aid often receive refunds.
The university offers over 200 online degree programs across various disciplines, making it an attractive option for many students. SNHU also provides numerous institutional scholarships and participates in federal aid programs, potentially creating situations where students receive more aid than their tuition costs.
University of the People (UoPeople)
As the first tuition-free accredited online university, UoPeople only charges assessment fees rather than tuition. These fees range from $100 to $200 per course, meaning a bachelor’s degree costs approximately $4,800 in total – significantly less than traditional institutions.
Students who receive scholarships or employer assistance often find these minimal fees fully covered, effectively getting paid to attend through stipends or other financial aid that exceeds these modest costs. UoPeople offers degrees in business administration, computer science, health science, and education.
Purdue University Global
Purdue Global offers several programs where students can receive financial assistance that may exceed tuition costs. Their ExcelTrack program uses a competency-based approach similar to WGU, allowing students to accelerate their education and potentially reduce costs.
For military students and veterans, Purdue Global offers significant tuition reductions that, when combined with military education benefits, often result in credit balances returned to students.
Strayer University
Strayer University offers their “Graduation Fund,” where students can earn one free course for every three courses they complete successfully. This effectively reduces the cost of a bachelor’s degree by 25%, and when combined with federal aid, can result in credit balances paid to students.
Strayer also offers various scholarship programs and participates in employer tuition assistance programs, creating opportunities for students to receive more in aid than they pay in tuition.
Financial Aid Programs That Can Help You Get Paid to Attend College
Federal Pell Grants
Pell Grants provide up to $7,395 (for the 2024-2025 academic year) to eligible undergraduate students with financial need. Unlike loans, these grants don’t require repayment. When combined with other forms of aid at affordable online colleges, Pell Grants often create refundable balances.
Students with exceptional financial need might qualify for both Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), further increasing potential refunds.
State Grant Programs
Many states offer need-based grant programs for residents attending in-state institutions (including online programs). Examples include:
- California’s Cal Grant program
- New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
- Texas Grant
- Florida Student Assistance Grant
These state grants, when combined with federal aid and institutional scholarships, can create situations where students receive more than their tuition costs.
Employer Tuition Assistance
Many employers offer tuition reimbursement or direct payment programs for employees pursuing higher education. Companies like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Starbucks, and many others offer significant educational benefits.
When employer assistance is combined with other forms of financial aid at affordable online colleges, students often receive refunds. Some notable employer programs include:
- Amazon Career Choice: Pays 100% of tuition and fees for select programs
- Walmart’s Live Better U: Covers 100% of tuition and books at select partner institutions
- Starbucks College Achievement Plan: Provides 100% tuition coverage at Arizona State University Online
Military Education Benefits
Active-duty service members, veterans, and sometimes their family members can access generous education benefits through programs like:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill: Covers full tuition at public institutions (or up to approximately $26,000 at private schools) plus a housing allowance and book stipend
- Yellow Ribbon Program: Provides additional funding for private institutions
- Military Tuition Assistance: Offers up to $4,500 annually for active-duty personnel
These benefits often exceed tuition costs at affordable online colleges, effectively paying military-affiliated students to attend.
Specialized Programs That Pay You to Learn
Teaching Programs
Many states face teacher shortages and offer incentive programs for education majors. Programs like TEACH Grants provide up to $4,000 per year to students pursuing teaching careers in high-need fields or underserved areas.
Western Governors University, American College of Education, and Grand Canyon University offer competitive online education programs that, when combined with these specialized grants, can result in students receiving more in aid than they pay in tuition.
Healthcare Programs
The healthcare industry faces significant workforce shortages, leading to various incentive programs for students in nursing, allied health, and other medical fields. Programs like the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program cover tuition and fees and provide a monthly stipend for living expenses.
Chamberlain University, Western Governors University, and Southern New Hampshire University offer online healthcare programs that pair well with these specialized funding opportunities.
STEM Programs
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields benefit from numerous scholarship and grant programs. The National Science Foundation offers grants and stipends for students in these disciplines, and many private organizations provide STEM scholarships.
Georgia Tech Online, University of Florida Online, and Oregon State University Ecampus offer competitive STEM programs that become very affordable when combined with field-specific scholarships.
Strategies to Maximize Your Chances of Getting Paid to Attend
Apply for Maximum Financial Aid
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible to qualify for the maximum amount of federal and state aid. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1 each year, and early applicants often receive more favorable aid packages.
Search and apply for private scholarships using platforms like Fastweb, Scholarship.com, and the College Board’s Scholarship Search. Even small scholarships can add up significantly.
Choose the Right Institution
Select colleges with competitive tuition rates where your financial aid package is more likely to exceed costs. Community colleges and state universities with online programs typically offer the best value.
Research institutions with generous institutional scholarship programs or those that participate in special initiatives like the College Promise programs, which provide tuition-free education in many states.
Consider Competency-Based Programs
Competency-based education (CBE) programs like those offered by Western Governors University and Capella University’s FlexPath allow students to accelerate their education by demonstrating mastery of subjects rather than spending set amounts of time in courses.
This approach can dramatically reduce the time and cost needed to complete a degree, making it more likely that financial aid will exceed educational expenses.
Leverage Employer Benefits
If you’re currently employed, research whether your employer offers tuition assistance benefits. Many companies will pay between $5,250 (the tax-free amount allowed by the IRS) and full tuition for employees pursuing job-relevant education.
Some employers have direct partnerships with specific online universities, offering reduced tuition rates or other benefits for employees who attend these partner institutions.
Understanding the Potential Drawbacks
Financial Aid Limitations
Financial aid that exceeds tuition and related educational expenses may have spending restrictions or impact future aid eligibility. Pell Grants, for instance, have lifetime eligibility limits, so using them strategically is important.
Refunds from student loans still represent debt that must be repaid with interest. Taking out loans beyond what’s necessary for educational expenses is generally not recommended, even if it means receiving larger refunds in the short term.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements
Most financial aid programs require students to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP), typically defined as a minimum GPA and completion rate. Failing to meet these requirements can result in the loss of financial aid and the requirement to repay funds already received.
Tax Implications
Some forms of financial aid may be considered taxable income, particularly stipends and grants that exceed tuition and required educational expenses. Understanding the tax implications before accepting financial aid is crucial for financial planning.
Real Success Stories
Many students have successfully navigated the financial aid landscape to not only attend college for free but actually receive payment for their studies. Take Maria, for example, who combined a Pell Grant with state aid and a merit scholarship at Western Governors University, resulting in approximately $2,500 per term in refunds while she completed her nursing degree.
Similarly, James, a military veteran, used his GI Bill benefits to attend Southern New Hampshire University online. The combination of covered tuition and the housing allowance provided him with approximately $1,800 monthly beyond his educational costs, effectively paying him a salary while he earned his business administration degree.
Final Thoughts on Getting Paid to Attend Online College
While the concept of getting paid to attend college might sound too good to be true, it’s entirely possible with the right combination of financial aid, institutional choice, and strategic planning. The key is understanding the various funding sources available and how they interact with different educational models and institutional costs.
By choosing affordable online colleges, applying for multiple forms of financial aid, and taking advantage of accelerated or competency-based programs, students can create financial situations where their educational funding exceeds their costs. This approach not only makes education more accessible but can also provide financial support during the challenging period of balancing education with other life responsibilities.
Remember that the goal should always be to obtain a quality education that leads to improved career prospects and personal growth. The financial benefits of getting paid to attend college are wonderful, but they should complement rather than drive your educational choices.
With careful research and planning, you can join the growing number of students who are earning degrees while also receiving financial support that exceeds their educational expenses. The online education landscape continues to evolve, offering increasingly flexible and affordable options for students seeking to advance their education without taking on significant debt.
