7 Helpful Scholarships and Grants for Online Schools

The pandemic has changed the face of higher education, with more students engaged in online classes or distance learning. And that was a growing trend before the public health emergency.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 37.2% of students were enrolled in a distance education course in the 2019-20 academic year — a figure that excludes COVID-19-related transitions from in-person to online courses early in the pandemic.

As more restrictions are lifted on in-person learning, some students are still entertaining the flexibility of online education. But despite its digital format, the price of higher education can still be steep. According to EducationData.org, the average cost of an online Bachelor’s degree is $51,091. To help cover college costs, below are seven scholarships and grants for online schools.

1. Study.com award for online undergraduate students

Study.com offers a $500 academic scholarship for undergraduate students pursuing an online degree or distance learning. The award is exclusively for students getting an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree online.

Eligibility requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Must be enrolled in an eligible and accredited online degree program.
• Must still have 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours left as part of their online degree.
• Must consent to have your photo on the Study.com website.

2. Federal Pell Grants

Online schools come in many shapes and forms these days. But if you go to an accredited college that offers an online program, you might qualify for a Pell Grant from the federal government.

An award of up to $6,495 is available for the 2021-2022 academic year, and the amount you’re awarded depends on your need and your year in school. This type of financial aid requires demonstrating financial need determined by the information submitted on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Submit a FAFSA by the deadline to see if you’re eligible for a Pell Grant for your online school.

Eligibility requirements:

• For undergraduate students
• Must not have previously earned a Bachelor’s, graduate or professional degree.
• Must demonstrate financial need.
• Must be a part-time or full-time student.

3. GetEducated.com award for distance learning

Twice a year, GetEducated.com awards grant funding for online schools through its Excellence in Online Education program. Recipients can receive up to $1,000 of aid to help pay for their degree program’s cost of attendance.

Eligibility requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Enrolled in a qualifying accredited online degree program.
• Submit a minimum 500-word essay on “What an Online College Degree Means to Me”.
• Provide a copy of recent school transcripts.
• Provide a copy of your FAFSA application or tax return.
• Submit application.

4. P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education

Many grants are need-based. This is the case for the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) grant, which is designed as a one-time cash award of up to $3,000. It’s accessible to women in the U.S. or Canada. Some grants programs aren’t designed for online students, but PCE allows for online courses of study and degree programs, too.

Applicants must be using their education to advance their skills and abilities for gainful employment. Grant may be used for educational expenses, including tuition, books, and even childcare while the recipient is enrolled in school.

Eligibility requirements:

• Women who are U.S. or Canadian citizens and residents.
• Enrolled at an online school or online program.
• Within 18 months of completing a degree program.
• An interview and recommendation might be required.

5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Another grant program from the Department of Education is the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). This program offers $100 to $4,000 of grant aid per year for students who have “exceptional need”. Pell Grant recipients are prioritized. Make sure that your school participates in this program, as not all schools do.

Eligibility requirements:

• Must demonstrate financial need.
• Must be an undergraduate student.
• Must submit a FAFSA to receive this type of financial aid.

6. Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

If you attend an eligible school and are pursuing teaching, you might qualify for the TEACH grant. It offers up to $3,772 for the academic year 2021-2022. You must commit to serving a low-income school for a minimum of four years if selected for this grant.

It’s important to note that if you fail to serve the amount required, your grant will turn into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Grants typically are attractive as they don’t need to be paid back, however, Direct Loans must be repaid.

Eligibility requirements:

• Must demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Enrolled in an eligible education institution.
• Attend school on a half-time or full-time basis.
• Be an undergraduate, graduate, or post-bac student at a qualifying educational institution.
• Maintain a GPA of 3.25.
• Agree to the service requirements.
• Submit and sign a “TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay”
• Work at a low-income school or educational service agency on a full-time basis for four years.

7. Professional Master's Excellence Award

Pennsylvania State University’s Penn State World Campus focuses on online degrees and distance learning. To help Penn State World grad students pay for their education, the institution created the Professional Master's Excellence Award.

This award is open to any discipline and includes online master’s degree programs.

Eligibility requirements:

• Enrolled in a professional master’s program within the PennState graduate program.
• Minimum GPA of 3.5.
• Must be in the final year of your graduate program.

The bottom line

Finding scholarships and grants for online schools can be tough as not all grants and scholarships are available for online classes, remote learning or distance learning. However, you might still be eligible for federal financial aid as long as the school offering your online degree program is accredited.

Ask your school if you qualify for financial aid such as grants, scholarships, and student loans to help you pay for your online college costs. Grants and scholarships should be prioritized since they don’t need to be repaid, unlike federal and private student loans.

If you need help figuring out whether to borrow student loans and what repayment might look like, book a pre-debt consult with Student Loan Planner.