Scholarships for the Top Online Colleges
Pursuing higher education is exciting, but many find paying for college overwhelming. According to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, the average student loan debt was $46,980 in 2022. With debt looming, scholarships can provide a glimmer of hope.
Whether you’re considering an online degree or have already received an acceptance letter (or letters), every little bit of help can make a difference. For example, several $1,000 annual scholarships over four years can reduce your overall financial burden by $12,000, reducing the potential $46,000 debt by over 25%.
Explore online college scholarships for some of the country’s most prominent colleges with distance programs to help make your education more affordable.
10 Popular Online Colleges That Offer Scholarships for Online Students
These schools, known for exceptional online educational offerings, provide a wide selection of degrees, world-class faculty, and student support. They also have various scholarships that can make a degree more affordable.
Explore online college scholarships that can help make your goals more attainable in this in-depth guide.
- Southern New Hampshire University
- University of Maryland Global Campus
- Purdue University Global-Indianapolis
- Arizona State University
- The University of Arizona Global Campus
- Florida International University
- Texas A & M University-College Station
- University of North Texas
- George Mason University
- The Ohio State University
1. Southern New Hampshire University
As the largest online college on the list, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)’s scholarship offerings are also some of the most impressive. You can find scholarships for online students by subject and explore military discounts on its website. As a student, you can access ScholarshipUniverse to create a customized list of scholarships and receive scholarship application support.
Total Online Enrollment: 184,099 students
2. University of Maryland Global Campus
As a University of Maryland Global Campus online student, you’ll have access to scholarships and grants from the university and private donors, study abroad scholarships, and state-funded programs. You can find over 100 donor-funded scholarships, including location-specific funding for global students.
Total Online Enrollment: 53,432 students
3. Purdue University Global-Indianapolis
Purdue University Global-Indianapolis offers scholarships for incoming students based on merit and financial need. Some Purdue colleges use departmental scholarship applications to offer awards based on specific criteria.
You can access these scholarships from the Colleges of Education, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts, the Polytechnic Institute, and other departments via the Purdue application portal.
Total Online Enrollment: 45,125 students
4. Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) reports that about 80% of its students, including online students, receive some form of financial aid. ASU provides access to ScholarshipUniverse for learners to find customized internal and external scholarships based on their academic profiles.
ASU also offers specialized scholarships for the military and veterans, foster youth, and American Indian students.
Total Online Enrollment: 44,167 students
5. University of Arizona Global Campus
University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) offers 49 undergraduate degrees and 37 graduate certificates. While UAGC has limited internal scholarships, the school offers many tuition discounts and grants for active duty service members and veterans. Still, UAGC alums can receive specialized online grants.
To strengthen its offerings, UAGC partners with ScholarshipUniverse to help you find and apply for personalized external scholarships.
Total Online Enrollment: 9,500 students
6. Florida International University
Florida International University (FIU) offers several merit-based and need-based scholarships. After admission, you can use FIU’s scholarship search tool to find scholarships by requirement, create a profile, and track your scholarship awards.
Total Online Enrollment: 37,476 students
7. Texas A & M University-College Station
Texas A&M University-College Station offers many scholarships for online and on-campus learners, including funding for veterans, undergraduates, graduate students, and international enrollees. New and transfer students can explore more than 20 scholarships and scholarship programs open to all students enrolled at Texas A&M University.
Total Online Enrollment: 29,859 students
8. University of North Texas
University of North Texas (UNT) offers various scholarships to help you finance your education, including need-based and merit-based funding. To apply, you must be admitted to a UNT program and create an account with the Eagle Scholarship Portal. You can find university-wide and departmental scholarships.
Total Online Enrollment: 29,119 students
9. George Mason University
George Mason University (GMU) offers new and transfer students opportunities to apply for various scholarships. It stands out for its exceptional “You Are Welcome” merit-based scholarships for international students. GMU enrollees can apply for many internal scholarships from academic departments, the Alumni Association, and private donors.
Total Online Enrollment: 27,857 students
10. Ohio State University
Ohio State University (OSU) offers many options to help pay for college, including departmental scholarships. OSU also partners with ScholarshipUniverse to help you find personalized opportunities to save more. OSU’s nursing bridge program stands out for its educational quality and scholarship opportunities.
Total Online Enrollment: 60,046 students
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Online College
Applying for scholarships varies by college and program. Start by filling out the Federal Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA). After filing, some colleges automatically consider you for scholarships, while others require a separate application. Scholarship applications may include a form, essays, or other required information.
