There are no online colleges that simply pay you to enroll. But you can study online for free, or even end up with money left over for living costs, in a few legitimate ways: tuition-free online universities, employer-paid degree programs, need-based aid that’s larger than your tuition, and military education benefits that include a housing allowance.
Below are 7 real ways to get paid (or study free) online, the colleges that often appear on “pay you to attend” lists and what’s actually true about them, and the scams to avoid.
7 Real Ways to Get Paid (or Study for Free) Online
Program terms change often, so always confirm the current rules on each official website.
1. Tuition-free online universities
University of the People is a nonprofit, fully online university that charges no tuition. Students pay a one-time application fee ($60) and an assessment fee for each undergraduate course ($160), and scholarships can help cover those fees.
2. Employer education benefits
Many large employers, including Amazon, Walmart and Starbucks, pay some or all of the cost of online degrees or certificates for eligible employees. If you work part-time while studying, this can be the closest thing to being “paid to attend.”
3. Federal Pell Grant refunds
In the US, need-based grants such as the Federal Pell Grant are applied through Federal Student Aid.
If your grants and scholarships are larger than tuition and fees at a low-cost online college, the extra money is refunded to you to help with other education costs, such as books, a computer or living expenses.
4. GI Bill benefits for veterans
Eligible veterans and service members can use VA education benefits to cover tuition for approved online programs, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays a monthly housing allowance (lower for students who study only online).
5. State free-college programs
Several states and cities offer free community college to eligible residents, which can include online classes. For example, City College of San Francisco’s Free City program covers tuition for eligible San Francisco residents.
6. Scholarships for online students
Many scholarships are open to online students, including need-based awards and bursaries. Learn what a bursary is, how quickly you can get an online scholarship, and what happens to unused scholarship money.
7. Work-study and paid internships
Some online programs include paid internships or federal work-study jobs, so you earn money while you study.
Colleges Often Listed as “Paying You to Attend”: What’s True
- Berea College (Kentucky): a tuition-free college for all admitted students, who also work on campus. It is an on-campus college, not an online one.
- Barclay College (Kansas): a small Christian college known for large tuition scholarships for students who live on campus. Its main benefit is for on-campus students.
- University of the People: truly online and tuition-free, with the course assessment fees described above.
- City College of San Francisco: tuition-free for eligible San Francisco residents through Free City.
- Athabasca University (Canada): a respected online university, but it charges tuition. Scholarships and bursaries can reduce the cost.
- Southern New Hampshire University and the University of Arizona Global Campus: large online universities that charge tuition. Financial aid and employer benefits can lower your cost, but they don’t pay you to attend.
- edX: not a college. It’s a course platform where many courses can be audited for free and some lead to paid certificates or degrees from partner universities.
How Much Does Online College Cost?
Online college costs vary widely. Public community colleges are usually the cheapest, especially for in-state students; public universities charge more; and private online universities are often the most expensive.
Always compare the total cost per credit, including technology and course fees, not just the advertised tuition.
Red Flags: “Get Paid to Study” Scams
Be careful with any program that asks for upfront “processing fees,” guarantees you a grant, pressures you to sign up today, or isn’t accredited.
Before you enroll, check the school’s accreditation with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Not sure about a scholarship offer? See how to check if a scholarship is legit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get paid to go to college online?
Not directly, but grant refunds, employer benefits, GI Bill housing allowances and paid work-study can leave you with money for living costs while you study online.
What is the cheapest accredited online college?
Tuition-free options such as University of the People and in-state community colleges are usually the cheapest. Compare the total cost, including fees.
Is University of the People really free?
It charges no tuition, but there is an application fee and a fee for each course assessment. Scholarships can help cover these.
Conclusion
No online college will hand you a paycheck just for enrolling, but you can earn a degree online for little or no cost.
Combine a low-cost or tuition-free school with grants, scholarships, employer benefits or military benefits, and always check accreditation first.
