Federal and State Government Aid

As you search for ways to pay your online college tuition remember to apply for federal and state government aid. You may find several government funded college student aid programs administered through your state’s department of education. Most federal student online college government aid programs are administered through the United States Department of Education.

Major federal and state government aid programs include:

  • PELL Grant (As of 2011, the maximum amount you can receive to help pay your online college tuition each year using a PELL Grant is $5,550. The amount you actually receive depends on how much money you make each year. If you live with your parents, their income will also impact the amount of money you receive from a PELL Grant. Additionally, you can receive more PELL Grant money if you attend school full-time.)
  • State Operated Free Scholarship Programs (If you live in states like Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee or New Mexico, you may be able to receive financial aid to pay for your online college tuition through state operated lotteries. In addition to being a legal resident of the state, you might have to attend accredited colleges or universities that are headquartered in the state you receive scholarship lottery money from.)
  • Federal and State Student Loans (The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program is one type of government loan you can receive money from. The loans have low interest rates and can be repaid over several years (e.g. 15 years, 30 years).
  • State Department of Education Grants (These programs are generally administered through your state Department of Education.)
  • Veterans Affairs Tuition Assistance Programs (If you are currently serving in the military or were honorably discharged from the military, contact your local Veterans Affairs office to see if you qualify to receive financial aid through programs like the Post 9/11 GI Bill or the Montgomery GI Bill.)
  • Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Programs (Should you agree to teach at schools located in under-represented areas, you may qualify to have your student loan forgiven through government financial aid programs. Major in math or science and teach these courses in under-represented areas for a minimum of five years and you can have larger amounts of your student loans forgiven.)

If you or your parents are federal or state government employees contact human resource managers at the government agencies where you work to find out if they administer online college financial aid programs. You may have to earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) in high school or college to qualify to receive the government aid. Also review the requirements for PELL Grants, government student loans and scholarships. Apply for these financial aid programs early so you don’t incur late tuition payment fees.

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