2019 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Low-Income Students

A historically black institution, Albany State University is dedicated to recognizing the challenges faced by students from underserved populations. ASU is part of the University System of Georgia. With numerous campus locations and a distance learning program for online students, the university aspires to meet the needs of all students seeking affordable certificate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees. Albany’s Office of Financial Aid provides low-income students with the financial assistance they... need to fund their education. Financial aid is offered in the form of federal and state grants, scholarships, work study, and loans. The Office of Military and Adult Education serves military-connected students throughout the course of their studies by providing assistance with tuition, financial aid resources, VA work study opportunities, and more.

Perimeter College, part of Georgia State University, awards the most associate and student transfer degrees in the state. With a diverse student population including dual enrollment, online, transfer and international students, the school provides a variety of services to help students succeed. Perimeter College offers one of the lowest tuition rates in the university system and over 60% of their students receive financial assistance. Low-income students can find the support and resources they need... through Student Financial Services. The office helps students find and apply for financial aid including federal and state programs, scholarships, grants, work study and loans. Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarships are awarded to first-generation college students, who are the first members in their family to attend college.

At Houston Community college, the TRIO Education Opportunity Center (EOC) is responsible for expanding low-income students' access to higher education. It helps them navigate the often complicated world of financial aid and enrollment, provides advising, and offers mentoring and workshops on topics like study skills, stress management, and more. All EOC services are free of charge. Houston Community College is also the third largest community college in the country in terms of online enrollment.... More than 20,000 students are enrolled online, so distance learners will find it easy to connect with other online students. Online students are also eligible for tutoring, advising, career services, and more. All online classes are held through Canvas.

Delgado Community College works with an organization called Single Stop Impact that strives to help low-income students complete their education, rather than dropping out due to lack of funds or other pressures. Services offered by Single Stop Impact include tax preparation, food assistance, financial counseling, health insurance, legal resources, and more. At Delgado Community College, Single Stop Impact has worked with more than 5,000 individuals, 20% of whom are parents and whose average income... is $5,503. Delgado Community College also has a food pantry that is open to all students facing food insecurity. Delgado Community College's online associate degrees are offered across a wide range of fields, including Business Management, Criminal Justice, Social Science, and more.

The Lone Star College System has seven different Texas campuses, located in places like Montgomery, Kingwood, and University Park. Online students are able to take advantage of all of them by enrolling in online any online course regardless of which branch offers it. Students in all states except for California are eligible to earn an online degree through the Lone Star College System. The Lone Star College System has found that its graduates earn approximately $15,400 more per year than people with... a high school diploma, making it an excellent choice for low-income students who want to improve their economic prospects.

Crowder College is located in Neosho, Missouri, and is a recipient of a grant from the U.S. Department of Education that allows it to offer its low-income students support through the TRIO Student Support Services Program. Students who are qualified to participate in the TRIO program receive personalized academic advising, tutoring, workshops, assistance with financial aid, and more. Crowder College offers online associate degrees in Agribusiness, Accounting, Management, Agriculture, and more. Low-income... students can apply for several need-based scholarships. Eligibility requirements vary, but most require a GPA of at least 2.0 and at least part-time enrollment.

As a two-year tech school, Atlanta Technical College provides students with the skills needed to enter the competitive workforce and contribute to the community. The school provides flexible night and weekend courses as well as many that can be taken online. Fully online programs are available in the fields of accounting, business management, business and administrative technology, marketing management, and paralegal studies. Low-income students have access to 48 tuition-free programs offered through... the HOPE Career Grant. In addition, low-income students have access to financial aid, including grants, numerous scholarships, veterans administration benefits, work study, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program, and more. Seventy-five percent of Atlanta Technical College students are Pell Grant recipients.

Genesee Community College is part of the State University of New York system. The college's Genesee Promise Plus (GPP) program attempts to make a college education accessible for low-income students by offering classes free of charge during the three summer sessions. It is available for both new high school graduates as well as new adult college students, and for traditional learners as well as distance learners. Scholarships are also available to help students fund their education during the spring... and winter semesters. There is also an Emergency Funding program for students who suddenly find themselves suffering unexpected financial hardship that jeopardizes their ability to stay in school.

The University of North Georgia offers a range of programs from certificate to doctoral degrees. Many of these programs are offered online in fields such as social work, nursing and education. UNG is committed to the success of its low-income students and offers many programs to help ease the financial burden of a collegiate education. Through the Complete College Georgia initiative, UNG employs strategies to improve access and graduation rates for low-income students. The Upward Bound program provides... low-income high school students with access to mentoring, academic advising and financial aid opportunities. Financial assistance is also available in the form of federal and state grants, scholarships, work study, veteran benefits and loans. Additionally, Hispanic students receive resources dedicated to helping them obtain access to a college education.

Pratt Community College, located in Pratt, Kansas, provides students with an affordable and well-rounded education. They offer 52 technical and academic degrees; online courses are offered through Pratt Online, while online degrees can be completed through EduKan. Students who complete their first two years of college at PCC save an average of $5,500 over a four-year university. In addition to this savings, low-income students can benefit from the many financial assistance opportunities available... at Pratt, including scholarships, grants, work study, loans and veteran benefits. Additional financial aid opportunities are available for Kansas state residents. Students also have the option of setting up a payment plan to help ease the burden of lump sum tuition payments.

Spokane Community College strives to help low-income residents of Washington State attend college. Need-based scholarships are offered by the Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation, and they covers tuition, books and fees, and potentially other expenses like childcare and transportation. Eligibility requirements include a GPA of at least 2.0, an income of less than twice the federal poverty level, and legal residence in Washington. More than ten percent of recipents are currently or formerly homeless,... and nearly half are first-generation students. Work study is also available for low-income students. Spokane Community College's online programs include an AAS in Early Childhood Education, an AAS in Gerontology, and an AAS in Social Services.

Shoreline Community Colleges offers a Food Stamp Education and Training (FSET) program, which is designed to help recipients of government food assistance receive the services they need in order to complete their education. The program helps students navigate issues related to childcare, transportation, clothing, housing, utility shut-off, medical bills, and more. Shoreline Community College also provides an Opportunity Grant to students enrolled in certain academic programs and whose annual income... is less than $24,280. The grant covers tuition and fees for 45 credits, as well as up to $1,000 in additional funds for books or other supplies.

Southcentral Kentucky understands that many low-income students depend on their education to give them a more financially stable future, and that is why if offers "programs that can get you on the fast track to a high paying, high demand job," according to the college's website. Online associate degrees are available in dozens of subjects, from Business Administration Systems and Computer and Information Technologies to Paralegal Technology and Energy Management. The college offers many scholarships... for low-income students, including the Altrusa Olive Gillespie Scholarship, which is specifically for non-traditional students, and the Clarks Landing Scholarship, available to all Kentucky residents enrolled at least part-time with a GPA of at least 2.5.

West Kentucky Community and Technical Colleges works with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to operate the Ready to Work program. This program is designed to help low-income parents complete their education and find profitable, productive work after graduating that allows them to support themselves and their families. Resources offered through the program include mentoring, daycare facilities, work study, mentoring, and more. This community college offers more than two dozen online... associate degrees, including Associate of Applied Science degrees in Computer and Information Technlogies, Medical Information Technology, Criminal Justice, and many more.

Maysville Community and Technical College's MCTC Foundation awards a wide variety of scholarships to help low-income students achieve their educational goals. For example, the Kentucky Colonels Better Life Scholarship is available for full-time associate degree seeking students who have one or more children under the age of 12. Students who do not meet those requirements may be able to apply for the Crounse Corporation Scholarship, which is offered to students pursuing certain degrees that are considered... in-demand. Maysville Community College also offers a tuition payment plan that may make it easier for low-income students to afford their education and avoid falling behind on tuition payments.

North Hennepin Community College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. More than a third of the college's students are eligible for Pell grants, so low-income students can be sure that this institution is well-equipped to support them throughout their education. North Hennepin Community Colleges participates in the TRIO program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and provides support to low-income students in the form of academic advising, tutoring,... workshops, career advice, and more. Distance learners can choose among 11 different associate degrees in fields such as Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Accounting Technology, and more.

Southeast Technical Institute, known for its affordable and career-relevant programs, offers over 60 certificate, diploma, and degree options. Twelve programs are offered online in fields such as computer programming, entrepreneurship, business administration, marketing and accounting. With their low tuition rates, Southeast Tech is one of South Dakota’s most affordable higher education institutions. Their financial aid opportunities provide low-income students with access to the resources they need... to reach their academic goals. Assistance is offered in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. Scholarship opportunities include the Build Dakota Scholarships, which are awarded to students enrolled in “high-need workforce" programs. Recipients are eligible for a full-ride scholarship that covers 100% of the program’s cost.

Hinds Community College offers several scholarships that are intended to help low-income students receive an education. For example, the SNAP Employment & Training Skills2Work program is available to students who are SNAP recipients, and provides career and technical training as well as tuition assistance. In 2017, the federal government awarded $5.1 million to Hinds Community College in order to support the college's outreach to and support of low-income students. Hinds Community College's online... associate degrees are offered in several different subjects. Associate of Arts degrees are available in Paralegal Technology, Nutrition and Food Science, General Psychology, and more, whereas Associate of Applied Science degrees are offered in Information Systems Technology.

South Texas Community College offers a variety of services that are intended to support low-income students throughout their time at the college. Tuition can be paid in installments to minimize the financial burden it imposes, and there are many kinds of scholarships available, including merit based scholarships, need based scholarships, and departmental scholarships. Additionally, the Access Esperanza Clinic provides free medical services to low-income students. Most of the scholarships require... a GPA of at least 2.5 and at least part time-enrollment. Twenty differnet associate degrees are available to online learners, inlcuding an AA in Anthropology, an AA in Communication, and an AA in English.

Southern Utah University offers over 163 programs; fifteen are offered online in fields including business, cybersecurity, communication and education. SUU’s goal is to prepare all students for successful academic and career outcomes. It is committed to assisting low-income students access the resources they need to reach their goals. Financial aid is offered through grants, loans, scholarships and work study. Payment plans are also offered to ease the burden of tuition costs. SUU has three departments... dedicated to assisting low-income students. The Student Support Center works with low-income students to provide them with grants and scholarships, and the Center for Women & Families offers affordable childcare. The Community Engagement Center offers resources for students with kids, including a food pantry, holiday meals and gifts, and an after school program.

North Dakota State College of Science is a two-year comprehensive school that aims to prepare students for a rewarding and successful career. NDSCS offers diploma, certificate and degree programs in a variety of fields, both on campus and online. The school is committed to providing affordable, quality programs to its students. Low-income students have access to financial aid opportunities, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and low-interest loans. Additional benefits, assistance and scholarships... are available to military veterans and their dependents. Students enrolled in specific programs, such as STEM or teaching, are able to receive reduced student loans through loan forgiveness programs. Cultural Tuition Waivers are also offered to low-income students from a historically under-represented minority group.

John Wood Community College is a two-year community college in Illinois with campus locations in Quincy, Perry, Pittsfield, and Mt. Sterling. Its affordable degree programs can be earned online, in either a structured or self-paced format. With over half of their full-time students receiving financial assistance, JWCC makes every effort to connect low-income students with resources to help them fund their education. Scholarships, grants, loans, and employment opportunities are some of the options... available. Low-income students also receive support through the TRIO Student Support Services program, which offers academic, financial, career and support resources. The Upward Bound program provides low-income high school students with resources to help them reach their academic and career goals. Students receive support throughout the entirety of their high school education.

At Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, two thirds of students receive financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, or scholarships. A wide range of scholarships are available, including scholarships that recognize academic excellence, scholarships for students enrolled in certain in-demand career programs, scholarships specially for women, and more. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is also the recipient of a $900,000 grant from the Woodward Hines Education Foundation, which is... intended to help the college improve retention and graduation rates for low-income students.

Pima Community College is located in Tuscon, Arizona. Various scholarships are offered, including the PCC GED Promise Scholarship, which is awarded to people who have recently earned their GED and are currently enrolled in Pima Community College. Eligibility is not necessarily limited to Pima county residents, so this scholarship may be of particular interest to low-income students. Pima Community College is also home to the HPOG HOPES program, which is designed for low-income students who are interested... in a career in the healthcare sector. The program provides tutoring, financial aid, career services, and more.

Thirty percent of students at Carl Albert State College are Native American, and in 2018 the school received a $1.9 million dollar Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) grant. Part of this money was used to purchase Zoom Video Conferencing Technology, which enhances the quality of online courses and benefits all distance learners, not just those of Native American heritage. More than 70 percent of the student body receive Pell Grants, and only one third of students graduate with... student loan debt. On average, this debt amounts to just $1,500 for a two-year degree.