FAFSA and Financial Aid for Online School
Key Takeaways
- Submit the FAFSA to qualify for online college financial aid like federal loans, grants, and work-study opportunities.
- Online students in accredited programs can access the same aid as on-campus learners, including Pell Grants, subsidized loans, and institutional scholarships.
- The FAFSA for the 2025-26 academic year opened on November 18, 2024, and closes on June 30, 2026 — apply early to meet school and state deadlines.
Whether you’re taking classes online or on campus, financial aid can help cover the cost of college. Online students attending accredited schools can qualify for the same types of financial aid — including federal aid — as traditional on-campus students.
Accredited colleges and universities offer various financial aid options for online learners, including loans, scholarships, and grants. A good place to start is checking your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) eligibility.
Keep reading to learn how to get financial aid for online school, when you can apply for aid, and how to get the funds needed to earn your degree while minimizing your student debt.
When Does the FAFSA Open for 2025-26? When Does It Close?
You have to fill out the FAFSA to be eligible to receive federal financial aid for online college. The FAFSA application cycle typically follows a 20-month cycle, from October 1 through June 30 (two calendar years away). However, that window can vary.
- When the 2025-26 FAFSA period opened: The application cycle for the 2025-26 FAFSA opened on November 18, 2024.
- When the 2025-26 FAFSA period closes: The FAFSA deadline for the 2025-26 academic year is June 30, 2026.
Keep in mind that the longer you wait to apply, the less likely you are to receive financial aid. Additionally, some states and colleges might have earlier deadlines for their aid programs than the federal deadline. It’s worth noting that the FAFSA deadline is the same for undergraduate and graduate students.
Do Parents Need to Fill Out the FAFSA for Students Over 18?
It ultimately depends on whether you’re considered an independent or dependent student. There are various criteria for this. For example, you’re likely independent if you’re 24 or older, so there is no need to include parental information on your FAFSA. But if you’re under 24, you generally can expect to include your parents’ financial details.
4 Types of Financial Aid for Online School
Students often use multiple financial sources to fund their online classes and degrees, including scholarships, loans, and grants. In the 2022-23 school year, nearly 87% of first-time, full-time undergraduate students at four-year colleges received some type of financial aid, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Each type of financial aid can have varying requirements and limitations. We’ll walk you through some of the most popular financial aid options for online college.
1. Scholarships
Private donors, organizations, state governments, and colleges all provide scholarship aid. Your grades, major, and/or financial need can qualify you for a scholarship. You can also narrow your pool of school options by looking for scholarships specifically for students in a certain major or demographic, such as scholarships for women.
“Explore organizations or foundations for private scholarship opportunities that are specific to your program,” advises Raquel Arevalo, assistant director of financial aid at Rice University.
2. Grants
The federal and state governments, as well as colleges and nonprofits, offer grants. Unlike loans, grants do not need to be repaid. For instance, federal Pell Grants provide low-income students with funding for college that doesn’t need to be repaid unless they leave college early.
Typically, grants are awarded on the basis of financial need. Scholarships, however, can be granted for a wide variety of factors, including financial need, academic merit, special interests, and achievement.
3. Student Loans
Student loans are funds that students borrow from the government or private lenders. Federal loans from the government typically offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options. In contrast, private loans may have higher interest rates and stricter repayment plans.
When choosing a loan, consider the terms and interest rates. Based on your FAFSA results, you may be able to apply for four types of loans.
- Subsidized loans: Subsidized loans are need-based. The government pays interest on these loans while students are in school and/or during deferment periods.
- Unsubsidized loans: Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need. Borrowers handle all interest on unsubsidized loans from the start, even while attending school.
- Direct PLUS loans: Direct PLUS loans are for parents and graduate students and require a credit check.
- Direct consolidation loans: Direct consolidation loans allow borrowers to merge multiple federal loans into one, making repayment more straightforward.
4. Work-Study Programs
Federal work-study programs allow online students to get paid to work part time on or off campus. Often, these positions allow students to engage in community service while earning money for college.
“Online college students are eligible for work-study programs — they just have to complete the FAFSA application, indicate that they have interest in the program, and meet the school’s eligibility,” said Arevalo.
How to Apply for Financial Aid as an Online Student: 3 Steps
The financial aid application process is the same for both online and on-campus students. You can qualify for the same type of funding, including grants and loans, as long as you complete the FAFSA application and the school is accredited.
Your college’s financial aid office can offer guidance on the aid options available to pay your tuition. The steps below ensure that you apply for all eligible funding.
- 1
Check Your Eligibility
The federal government sets basic eligibility requirements for financial aid. As an online learner, you can qualify for all the loans, scholarships, and grants available to traditional students.
Your eligibility for aid often hinges on your financial need — what you (and your family, if you’re still a dependent) can contribute to your education. To qualify, you also must hold U.S. citizenship (or be an eligible noncitizen) and pursue an accredited degree or certificate program.
- 2
Fill Out the FAFSA
Completing the FAFSA is the first step to getting federal financial aid as an online student. You’ll fill in basic information about yourself and answer questions about your financial situation.
Your application will determine your eligibility for financial aid and how much you can receive, so make sure you answer correctly. It’s common for online colleges to require a completed FAFSA with an admission application. Students need to create a StudentAid.gov account to complete this free form.
- 3
Submit Applications
To complete the FAFSA, you must submit your Social Security number (or Alien Registration Number if you do not hold U.S. citizenship). Also, expect to submit federal income tax returns, with the option to transfer your filing directly from the Internal Revenue Service.
The FAFSA also requires bank statements, income dates, and bank account balances. If you qualify as a dependent student, your parents or legal guardian must also submit their financial information.
Reality Check: Is Trump Getting Rid of or Freezing Financial Aid?
No, not exactly. President Donald Trump signed a law changing federal financial aid starting July 1, 2026. It limits Parent PLUS loan borrowing, ends Grad PLUS loans and certain deferment options, and shifts Pell Grants to be awarded last rather than first.
If students receive scholarships, it may reduce Pell eligibility and impact aid for low-income students. Apart from these changes, there are no official proposals to eliminate federal financial aid for college students.
Can You Get Financial Aid for Online Classes?
Yes, generally speaking, taking classes online doesn’t impact your eligibility for federal financial aid, as long as you’re enrolled in classes at an accredited college or university and the program is eligible for federal funds.
While some programs, such as certificate programs, may not be eligible, most online degree programs at accredited schools offer the same financial aid opportunities as their on-campus counterparts. However, the answer gets more complicated if you intend to take online classes as a non-degree-seeking student.
Financial Aid as a Non-Degree-Seeking Student
In general, non-degree students are not eligible for federal student aid. Most online schools require you to enroll in a degree program on a full-time or part-time basis to receive certain types of aid. However, there are a few exceptions to this.
The federal government may provide financial aid options if the education you’re seeking leads to a professional credential. This means, even if you’re not pursuing a traditional diploma, there are still ways to pay for your non-degree program:
- You’re taking online classes that are prerequisites for a degree or certificate program.
- You’re completing online courses to earn or renew a license. This is particularly common for teachers.
- You’re applying to an accredited certificate program designed to train you for a specific career.
Paying for Online Classes as a Non-Degree-Seeking Student
Your options may be limited if you don’t qualify for federal financial aid as a non-degree student. You can apply for scholarships specifically for non-degree students, pay out of pocket, or take out a private loan from lenders like Sallie Mae, SoFi, or Discover.
Remember that private loans often have significant drawbacks: they don’t include federal protections or borrower benefits, base interest rates on your credit score, and offer no federal subsidies. Consequently, you should only consider private student loans as a last resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pell Grants can be used for any qualified online or on-campus degree program. You do not need to repay these funds. The federal government allows you to receive Pell Grants for up to six years, or 12 school terms.