Colleges That Offer Free Tuition For Low Income

How To Find Colleges That Offer Free Tuition For Low Income – Education is the key driver of both personal and societal growth. However, managing the cost of tuition may be an impediment for many. It’s no doubt that the cost of acquiring a college education in the United States has skyrocketed over the course of a few years. According to reports by Educational Data Initiative, the cost of college has almost doubled in the 21st century. On average, an in-state student has to spend $2607 per academic year while attending a public college and $55840 while attending a private university.

Fortunately, there are colleges that offer free tuition for low-income students with the objective of making higher education accessible and affordable. One way colleges are working to reduce financial barriers to education is by making tuition free for many students. This guide will help you know how to find free tuition colleges for low-income students to pave the way for a brighter future.

What Are Tuition-Free Colleges?

Tuition-free online schools are educational institutions where students can study without being charged any tuition fee, which is an amount that students pay for getting an education from the academic institution.

It does not mean zero cost for students, as they still have to bear other educational costs. This includes housing, books, application, and assessment fees. Colleges that offer free tuition for low-income students require students to have a financial need, and meet residency, and GPA criteria.

How Do Low-Income Students Pay for College?

Those who are looking for free tuition colleges for low-income families must adhere to the following methods to cover their college and tuition fees:

• Government Grants For College: There are many federal need-based grants, such as Pell Grant, FSEOG, TEACH grants etc. that are not required to be repaid and can help you pursue your college studies.
• Work Study: Students can work part time on or off campus to earn money and help fund their college expenses. The participating work colleges are supervised and approved by the US Department of Education and have to meet specific federal standards.
• Student Loans: College students can apply for federal student loans. These loans generally come with lower interest rates.
• Tuition Assistance: There are many state public schools and universities that provide tuition assistance for low-income families, provided they have income at or below a specific percentage of the FPL or AMI.
• Military Schools: Military schools offer tuition-free college education in exchange for a commitment to serve the military after completing graduation.
• Community Colleges: Community colleges are an excellent alternative to acquiring an affordable education and are not similar to four-year colleges. A lot of U.S. states, like New York or California, provide tuition-free community colleges either through a first-dollar or last-dollar program.
• Online Tuition-free Degree Programs: Online colleges are another source that will help you with tuition-free programs.

Besides, you can also apply for free tutoring programs for low-income families that can offer great help for your studies.

What Are The Admission Criteria For Colleges That Offer Free Tuition For Low Income Students?

The admission requirements for colleges and universities with free tuition for low-income students may vary. Following are the common factors that are required.

• Military schools give fitness assessments and have age restrictions for prospective students.
• Trade school admission generally involves GED completion or proof of high school graduation and fulfillment of minimum age criteria.
• Other general college admission criteria for low-income colleges that offer free tuition require providing proof of personal statement, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, minimum GPA, and so on.
• A few best colleges for low-income students require students to submit FAFSA to be eligible for financial aid and verify that their family household income is below a specific threshold. The criteria can be a bit rigorous to qualify for government grants for education.

Top Colleges and Universities Offering Free Tuition For Low-Income Students

In the below section of the guide we have covered a list of top colleges and universities offering tuition-free degrees to low-income students.

Arkansas 

Arkansas State University

• Need to know: The A-State Promise Plus covers fees and tuition for up to 15 hours per semester. Students in their first year will get a housing scholarship of $2500.
• Eligibility: In-state and Pell Grant-eligible students from families earning less than $70,000. They must have a minimum GPA of 3.00, ACT score of 19 or SAT score of 990-1010.
• Contact: 870-972-2310.

California

Stanford University

• Need to know: Stanford University covers fees, tuition, and room and board costs for low-income students from families earning less than $100,000 annually.

Stanford provides scholarship aid to cover tuition, provided the family income of the student is in between $100,000 to $150,000.

• Eligibility: Must be pursuing undergraduate studies with family income less than $150,000 annually.
• Contact: 650-723-2300.

University of California System

• Need to know: Qualified students can cover tuition and fees through the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. Students with higher financial needs can qualify for more assistance.
• Eligibility: In-state students with family income less than $80,000 annually.
• Contact: 800.207.1710.

University of Southern California

• Need to know: This college offers free tuition for low income students in California under the USC’s Affordability initiative.

The School of Dramatic Arts Master of Fine Arts program offers free tuition to current and incoming MFA students in acting and dramatic writing.

• Eligibility: Must be a current/ incoming MFA student with family income less than $80,000 annually.
• Contact: 719-549-2100.

Colorado

Colorado State University

• Need to know: Eligible students get free scholarships.
• Eligibility: In-state first-time or transfer college students can qualify if the family income is less than $70,000. Students should maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Contact: 970-491-6444.

University of Colorado Boulder

• Need to know: CU Promise Program covers fees and tuition for in-state students who are Pell Grant recipients. They can get an additional grant of $5000, provided the expected family contribution is $0 as determined by FAFSA.

The Lattice Scholars Program by the university covers in-state first-generation students who are majoring in engineering. They can also get a $5000 additional grant if their expected family contribution is $0 as determined by FAFSA.

• Eligibility:

Must be in-state students and eligible for the Pell Grant;

Must be in-state students, majoring in engineering, and Pell Grant eligible.

• Contact: 303-492-1411.

University of Northern Colorado

• Need to know: The UNC Tuition Promise covers tuition for a minimum 12 credit hours and up to 16 credit hours, or a maximum $5836 per semester. Students must get the College Opportunity Fund and file a Colorado Application for State Financial Aid, or FAFSA.
• Eligibility: In-state students from families earning less than $65,000 annually.
• Contact: 970-351-1890.

Connecticut

Yale University

• Need to know: Parents of qualified students need not make any contribution. The financial aid by the university covers all students irrespective of their citizenship.
• Eligibility: Must belong to families earning less than $75,000 annually.
• Contact: 203.432.2700.

Delaware

Delaware State University

• Need to know: Eligible students get the Inspire Scholarship that covers full tuition.
• Eligibility: Must graduate from Delaware High School, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75, and demonstrate 10 hours of community service in every semester.
• Contact: 302.857.6060

Florida State University, Panama City

• Need to know: Eligible students get the FSU PC Promise Scholarship that covers tuition and fees.
• Eligibility: In-state state students belonging to northwest Florida counties. The family income should be less than $60,000 annually. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and finish 30 hours of community service each semester.
• Contact: 866-693-7872.

Hawaii

Hawai’i Pacific University

• Need to know: The Holomua Commitment pilot program offers free tuition for qualified students.
• Eligibility: Full-time, first-time, first-year, and transfer students who are Hawaii residents. Students must belong to families having federal expected family contributions lesser than the university’s tuition.
• Contact: 1866CALLHPU

Illinois

The University of Chicago

• Need to know: Students from families earning less than $125,000 get scholarships to cover tuition costs. Students from families earning less than $60,000 can get full coverage for tuition, room and board, and fees.
• Eligibility: Family income must be less than $60,000 annually. Family income must be less than $125,000.
• Contact: 773-702-1234

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

• Need to know: The Illinois Commitment Program covers fees and tuition for up to four years for qualified first-year as well as transfer students.
• Eligibility: Must be in-state students, below 24 years of age and have graduated from a high school. The family income should be less than $67,100 annually.
• Contact: 217-333-0100

Indiana

Grace College

• Need to know: Students should be accepted by the college and have tuition awarded by 1st March to be eligible for the Indiana Full Tuition Plan.
• Eligibility: Must be in-state students belonging to families earning less than $60,000 annually with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Contact: +18005447223

Kansas

Barclay College

• Need to know: Barclay College offers free tuition to eligible students who are living in the campus dorms.
• Eligibility: Students living in on-campus dorms
• Contact: 800-862-0226.

Kentucky

Alice Llyod College 

• Need to know: Free tuition for students under the Appalachian Leader’s Scholarship.
• Eligibility: Must live in one of the service areas of the college, such as Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia. Students must work 10 hours every week and 160 hours per semester at either an on- or off-campus job.
• Contact: (888) 280-4252

Berea College

• Need to know: All students who attend pay no tuition.
• Eligibility: Must be a student of Berea College.
• Contact: 859-985-3000.

Maine

Colby College

• Need to know: The Colby Commitment promises to cover the entire financial need of eligible students who belong to families earning less than $75,000.

Parental contribution will not exceed $15,000 if the household income is less than $150,000.

• Eligibility:

Student’s family must be $75,000 or less;

Students’ family income should be less than $150,000.

• Contact: (207) 859-4830

Maryland

University of Maryland

• Need to know: The Terrapin Commitment Program assists eligible students to cover tuition and fees after all grants, scholarships and expected family contributions are exhausted.
• Eligibility: In-state students and be eligible for Pell Grant.
• Contact: 301.405.1000.

Massachusetts

Harvard College

• Need to know: The college covers the whole cost of college attendance for students belonging to families earning less than $85,000.

For those whose household income is between $85,000 and $150,000, the expected family contribution is 0 to 10% of the family’s annual income.

• Eligibility: Must belong to families earning less than $85,000 annually.
• Contact: 617.495.1552.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Need to know: Tuition-free scholarships for low-income students belonging to families who make less than $140,000 annually.
• Eligibility: Must belong to families earning less than $1,l40,000 annually.
• Contact: 617-258-8600

Sattler College

• Need to know: Students need to sign an Entrustment Commitment saying they can give what they can once they become an alum.
• Eligibility: Any student can qualify without completing FAFSA and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
• Contact:+1 (617) 420-1820

Michigan

Hope College

• Need to know: Students who are participating in the Hope Forward program commit to take part in the Hope Forward cohort and promise to contribute to the program monetarily after graduation to support other students.
• Eligibility: Any student can qualify.
• Contact: 616.395.7775.

Michigan State University

• Need to know: The Spartan Advantage Program by the university covers fees, tuition, food, housing, books, and course materials.
• Eligibility: Must be in-state, Pell- eligible first-time dependent, and first-year students. The family income should be below the federal poverty guidelines.
• Contact: 517-353-5940.

University of Michigan System

• Need to know: The Go Blue Guarantee offers free tuition facilities for eligible students. Every campus has its own eligibility criteria to follow.
• Eligibility:

Ann Arbor: Must be in-state students and belong to families earning less than $75,000 annually.
Dearborn: Must be in-state first-time and transfer students with a family income less than $65,000 and assets less than $50,000. The minimum GPA criteria is 3.5.
Flint: Must be in-state first-time and transfer students with a minimum GPA of 3.5. The family income must be less than $12,000 and assets below $50,000.

• Contact: 734-764-7433.

Minnesota

Concordia College

• Need to know: Qualified students are considered for the Concordia Promise beginning in fall 2024.
• Eligibility: Either first-year or transfer students who belong to families making less than $90,000 annually and qualified for FAFSA.
• Contact: 218.299.4000.

University of Minnesota

• Need to know: Eligible candidates automatically qualify for the Promise Plus Free Tuition Program.
• Eligibility: Must be in-state first-year students who belong to families earning less than $50,000 annually.
• Contact: 612-625-5000

Missouri

College of the Ozarks

• Need to know: This tuition-free college online help students through the Tuition Assurance Scholarship.
• Eligibility: All students can qualify.
• Contact: 417-334-6411.

University of Missouri

• Need to know: The Missouri Land Grant is provided to in-state Pell Grant recipients to help them cover fees and tuition.
• Eligibility: In-state first-year and transfer students who are Pell Grant eligible.
• Contact: 573-882-7786.

Washington University in St. Louis

• Need to know: The washU Pledge helps eligible students get free undergraduate education. They also get a first-year startup grant.
• Eligibility: Must be U.S. citizens, DACA recipients, permanent residents, or undocumented. The family income must be less than $75,000 annually. Must be first-year first-time students living or attending home school or high school in Missouri or one of the predetermined 53 counties in Illinois.
• Contact: 888-547-6670 or 314-935-5900

Montana

University of Montana

• Need to know: The university offers the Grizzly Promise to cover fees and tuition costs for qualified students.
• Eligibility: In-state, first time, first year students belonging to families earning less than $50,000 annually.
• Contact: 402-472-2023.

Nebraska

University of Nebraska System

• Need to know: The Nebraska Promise enables qualified students to cover tuition at any campus.
• Eligibility: In-state students who maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and belong to families earning less than $65,000, or be Pell Grant eligible.
• Contact: 402-472-7211.

University of Nevada, Reno

• Need to know: The Nevada Guarantee enables eligible students to cover the cost of fees, tuition and books.
• Eligibility: In-state, full-time and Pell Grant eligible and pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
• Contact: (775) 784-4666.

New Hampshire

Dartmouth College 

• Need to know: Free tuition for students who belong to families earning less than $125,000 annually. There is no need for parental contribution if the household income is less than $65,000.
• Eligibility:

Students who belong to families making less than $125,000 annually.

Students belonging to families earning less than $65,000 annually.

• Contact: 603.646.1110.

University of New Hampshire

• Need to know: Full-time students who complete FAFSA and remain qualified financially for up to four years will automatically qualify for the Granite Guarantee.
• Eligibility: In-state and first-year students who are Pell Grant eligible or Community College system of New Hampshire Transfers
• Contact: (603) 862-3600.

New Jersey

Four-year public New Jersey universities

• Need to know: College juniors and seniors get free tuition and fees for up to four semesters under the Garden State Guarantee. Students need to file FAFSA or NJ Alternative Application.
• Eligibility: NJ DREAM Act and in-state students who belong to families earning less than $65,000 annually.
• Contact: 973-655-4000.

Fairleigh Dickinson University

• Need to know: Full tuition coverage to eligible students under The FDU Advantage Program.
• Eligibility: Students who get maximum Pell Grant, New Jersey Tuition Assistance Grant and have expected family contribution of $0.
• Contact: 800-338-3887 or 201-692-6500.

Princeton University

• Need to know: Qualified students pay nothing to attend this university. It is one of the online colleges that offer free tuition for low-income students. It offers more assistance if the family income is less than $150,000.
• Eligibility: Students belonging to families earning less than $100,000 annually.
• Contact: 609-258-3000

Rider University

• Need to know: The Rider Tuition Guarantee covers tuition for qualified students.
• Eligibility: In-state students having GPA of 3.5 or higher. Must belong to families earning AGI lesser than $50,000. Must have received maximum Pell Grant or New Jersey tuition assistance grant
• Contact: 609-896-5000.

New Mexico

All Public Colleges and Universities

• Need to know: The Opportunity Scholarship offers free tuition to qualified students and requires them to maintain a GPA of 2.5 or minimum six credit hours.

The Lottery Scholarship for students who want to enroll at public college or university the semester after certificate completion or high school graduation

• Eligibility: Students enrolled in state public college or university.

New York

Columbia University

• Need to know: Eligible students get free tuition and the startup grant of $2000 to swiftly transition to college
• Eligibility: Students belonging to families earning less than $150,000 annually.
• Contact: 212-854-1919.

Webb Institute

• Need to know: Tuition free scholarship to eligible students.
• Eligibility: Must be citizens of the United States or permanent residents.
• Contact: 516-6712-213.

The State University Of New York and City University Of New York Systems

• Need to know: The Excelsior Scholarship covers tuition to a SUNY or CUNY.
• Eligibility: Must be in-state students belonging to families earning less than $125,000 for citizens of US or NYS Dreamers.

North Carolina

Duke University

• Need to know: Free tuition and fees for eligible students who complete FAFSA. Additional assistance for meals, housing and other expenses for students who belong to families earning less than $65,000 annually
• Eligibility: Students who are North Carolina and South Carolina residential belonging to families earning less than $1,50,000 yearly
• Contact: (919) 684-8111.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Need to know: Free tuition and mandatory fees commitment for qualified students who complete FAFSA and CSS profile by 1st March.  The university also provides the Carolina Covenant Scholarship to those whose family income does not exceed 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
• Eligibility: In-state undergraduate students who are working towards getting their first bachelor’s degree from families earning less than $80,000.
• Contact: 919-962-2211.

Warren Wilson College 

• Need to know:

North Carolina Free Tuition Program for students participating in the WWC work program and living on campus.

The Milepost One:A Full Tuition Scholarship provided to eligible 25 students who are living on campus and enrolled in the WWC work program.

• Eligibility: 25 full-time, first-year transfer students can qualify if their family income is less than $1,50,000
• Contact: 828-771-2082.

Ohio

Antioch College

• Need to know: This tuition-free college online assists Pell Grant-eligible students to get a last dollar scholarship.
• Eligibility: Must be Pell Grant eligible
• Contact: 937-319-6082 ext. 6016.

Case Western Reserve University

• Need to know: The university covers the whole cost of attendance for eligible students from Cleveland Metropolitan School District School, East Cleveland public school or district-partner charter school.
• Eligibility: Must be high school graduates from Cleveland and East Cleveland public high school
• Contact: +216-368-2000.

Columbus State Community College

• Need to know: The Columbus Promise assists graduating students to cover their tuition and fees after grants and scholarships are exhausted. It also provides a $500 stipend for up to six semesters each.
• Eligibility: Must be graduating seniors from CCS (Columbus City Schools) high school.
• Contact: (614) 287-2722.

Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma

• Need to know: The Crimson Commitment covers fees and tuition for qualified students. You must qualify for the Oklahoma’s Promise in high school and take admission from high school as full-time, first-time, first-year students.
• Eligibility: Must belong to families earning less than $100,000 annually and apply to the university by Feb. 1 of their high school senior year.
• Contact: (405) 325-2151.

Oregon

University of Oregon

• Need to know: The PathwayOregon Program covers tuition and fees for eligible students
• Eligibility: Must be in-state, first-time college student and eligible for Pell Grant. Should have a minimum GPA of 3.4
• Contact: 800-547-8887.

Portland State University

• Need to know: The Tuition-Free Degree Program helps eligible students to cover their college fees and tuition
• Eligibility: Pell Grant-eligible, in-state, first-year, part or full time, re-enrolling undergraduate or transfer students
• Contact: 503-725-3511.

Western Oregon University

• Need to know: Free tuition and fees for eligible students
• Eligibility: Pell Grant-eligible, in-state, first year, part or full time, re-enrolling undergraduate or transfer students
• Contact: 503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593

Pennsylvania

Allegheny College

• Need to know: Eligible students can get free fees and tuition if they complete submitting FAFSA by May 1st.
• Eligibility: In-state students who belong to families earning less than $50,000 annually.
• Contact: 01-814-332-4351.

Curtis Institute Of Music

• Need to know: Full tuition scholarships to all students.
• Eligibility: All can qualify.
• Contact: +1 (215) 893-5252.

Geneva College

• Need to know: The Geneva Tuition Promise offers free tuition to eligible students if they submit their application by 1st March. Students have to renew the eligibility every year for up to 8 semesters.
• Eligibility: In-state, first-year students who belong to families earning less than $70,000 and eligible for Pell Grant funding.
• Contact: 800-847-8255.

The University of Pennsylvania

• Need to know: The university covers tuition, housing, fees, laptop, food, summer internship and other facilities for eligible students.
• Eligibility: Students belong to families earning less than $75,000 annually.
• Contact: 215.89.8721.

Williamson College Of The Trades

• Need to know: Needs-based tuition and room and board scholarship is available to all students by the all-male school.
• Eligibility: All students.
• Contact: (610) 566-1776.

Rhode Island

Brown University

• Need to know: Brown’s Full Tuition Scholarship for eligible students.
• Eligibility: Students belong to families earning less than $125,000 annually.
• Contact: 401-863-4111.

South Carolina

Piedmont Technical College

• Need to know: Looking for free tuition colleges in South Carolina? The Piedmont Technical College provides free tuition to low-income students.
• Eligibility: South Carolina residents who can enroll in a minimum six credit hours.
• Contact: 1+800-868-5528.

Tennessee

The University of Memphis

• Need to know: The Memphis Promise covers tuition for eligible students.
• Eligibility: In-state high school seniors qualify for the Pell Grant and the Hope Scholarship.
• Contact: 901.678.2712.

Vanderbilt University

• Need to know: The Nashville Vanderbilt Scholars Program covers tuition, meals, housing, $6000 one-time stipend to cover summer internship costs.
• Eligibility: Eligible students from Metro Nashville Public Schools or those who belong to families earning less than $100,000.
• Contact: 615-322-7311.

Texas

Texas A&M University

• Need to know: This free tuition college in Texas offers the Aggie Assurance to cover tuition for eligible students.
• Eligibility: In-state students who belong to families earning less than $6000 annually.
• Mail to: [email protected]

The Austin Community College District

• Need to know: Students from 27 school districts get five years of free tuition for associate and bachelors degree respective of GPA or family income
• Eligibility: Must be high school senior and GED completer graduating after 1st July 2023 in the Community College district service area.
• Contact: 512-223-7300.

University of Texas at Austin

• Need to know: This college offers free tuition for low income in Texas through the Texas Advance Commitment for students with family income less than $65,000 annually. The university covers partial tuition for students who belong to families earning less than $125,000.
• Eligibility: Must be in-state students and belong to families earning less than $65,000 annually and maintain a GPA of 2 to qualify for this tuition-free college.
• Contact: 512-475-7399.

University of Houston

• Need to know: This free tuition college in Texas offers Cougar Promise to eligible students.
• Eligibility: In-state, first-year or first-time students belonging to families earning less than $65,000 annually.
• Contact: 1-713-743-2255.

Utah

Utah State University

• Need to know: The Utah State Promise Scholarships cover tuition for eligible students if they complete submitting FAFSA within deadline.
• Eligibility: In-state, first-year, first-time students who are eligible for Pell Grant.
• Contact: (435) 797-1000.

Westminster University

• Need to know: The Westminster Commitment offers free tuition to eligible students to submit admission by Feb 1.
• Eligibility: In-state high school graduates belonging to families earning less than $60,000. Must be a first-time or full-time undergraduate student and have a GPA of 3.3.
• Contact: 801-832-2200.

Weber State University

• Need to know: The Dream Weber Program by university covers fees and tuition for eligible students.
• Eligibility: Must belong to families earning less than $50,000 annually. Must be in-state Pell Grant eligible undergraduate students having less than 150 credit hours.
• Contact: 801-626-6000.

Vermont

The University of Vermont

• Need to know: The UVM Promise help eligible students to cover tuition if they submit FAFSA within deadline and also apply for the Vermont State Grant every year
• Eligibility: In-state first-year or transfer students who belong to families earning less than 60,000
• Contact: (802) 656-3370.

Virginia

University of Virginia

• Need to know: The AccessUVA program covers fees and tuition to eligible students to submit admission by Feb 1.
• Eligibility: In-state first-time undergraduate students from families earning less than $80,000 and assets less than $75,000.
• Contact: 434-982-6000.

Virginia State University

• Need to know: The Virginia College Affordability Network Scholarship helps eligible students to cover the tuition costs.
• Eligibility: In-state, first-year and Pell Grant eligible students with a high school GPA of 2.5 and living within 25 mile radius of the campus
• Contact: 804-524-5000.

University of Richmond

• Need to know: The Richmond Promise to Virginia offers free tuition, the Spider Unlimited meal plan and housing to eligible students
• Eligibility: In-state, first-year and first-time students belonging to families earning less than $75,000
• Contact: 1+804-289-8000.

Norfolk State University

• Need to know: The Virginia College Affordability Network Scholarship helps students to cover tuition.
• Eligibility: In-state, Pell-Grant eligible, first-year students living within 45 miles of campus
• Contact: 757-823-8600.

The Apprentice School

• Need to know: The school provides four, five and eight-year apprenticeships in nearly 19 shipbuilding disciplines. It offers 8 advanced programs of study. During enrollment students get tuition reimbursement, pay and other benefits.
• Eligibility: All students.
• Contact: (757) 380-3809.

William & Mary

• Need to know: Students who qualify for a free tuition program if they complete the CSS profile and FAFSA.
• Eligibility: In-state undergraduate, first-year, returning, new and transfer students, Pell-grant eligible students.
• Contact: 757-221-4000.

Washington

Washington State University

• Need to know: The Cougar Commitment covers fees and tuition for undocumented residents of Washington who submit WASFA.
• Eligibility: First-time, in-state students who get Pell Grant or Washington College Grant and submit FAFSA or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) within the deadline every year.
• Contact: 509-339-8105.

University Of Washington System

• Need to know: The Husky Promise covers fees and tuition for undocumented Washington residents who are submitting WASFA.
• Eligibility: In-state, first-time or Pell Grant eligible students who submitted FAFSA or WASFA.
• Contact: 206-543-2100.

Seattle University

• Need to know: The Seattle University Promise Scholarship offers transfer students with free tuition if they have a GPA of 3.0.
• Eligibility: Students need to enroll as Seattle Promise students at a Seattle college and enroll in the Washington State College Bound Scholarship Program.
• Contact: 206-296-6000.

Gonzaga University

• Need to know: The Gonzaga Access Pledge offers free tuition for undocumented residents of Washington. They can be eligible for the program if they do not receive Pell Grant
• Eligibility: In-state, first-year students, who submit FAFSA or WASFA
• Contact: +1-509-313-6582

West Virginia

Bluefield State University

• Need to know: This college for low-income offers free tuition through the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan.
• Eligibility: In-state, Pell Grant and WV Higher Ed Grant-eligible students who  submit FAFSA by 15th April can maintain a GPA of 2.0 in specific programs.
• Contact: 304.327.4000

Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin- Madison

• Need to know: The Bucky’s Tuition Promise covers fees and tuition for qualified students who submit FAFSA within priority deadline
• Eligibility: In-state, first-year, transfer students who belong to families earning less than $65,000 annually
• Contact: 608.262.3060

University Of Wisconsin System (Except UW Madison)

• Need to know: The Wisconsin Tuition Promise provides coverage for up to four years of tuition and additional funding to cover fees for undergraduate students
• Eligibility: In state students who belong to families earning less than $55,000 annually.
• Contact: 608-262-2321

Ripon College

• Need to know: The Ripon Commitment provides free tuition and fees for qualified students who complete FAFSA and live on campus. It has a guaranteed price match for fees and tuition for the in-state students who live on campus.
• Eligibility: In-state, first-year, transfer students who belong to families earning less than $75,000 annually.
• Contact: 92074 88115.

You can also head to our next guide to learn how to obtain government grants for schools in the USA.

Conclusion

To sum up, college fees and tuition can be a formidable barrier for many low-income students while picking a college. The thought of taking out student loans or paying for semesters can be overwhelming, but fortunately there are plenty of funding opportunities available at your disposal. This guide has mentioned a list of a few universities and colleges that offer free tuition for low-income students. With the aforementioned best colleges for low income students will help you secure the best chance of attending college for free. But before applying to colleges with free tuition, you must meet the specific eligibility criteria set by them.

Are you interested in learning more about assistance programs and grants that can help you improve your living situation? Then check out the rest of our blogs at GrantsBuddy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Qualifies For Free College In MN?

Under the Minnesota North Star Promise Scholarship, eligible students with a family adjusted gross income below $80,000 get free tuition and required fees.

Who Qualifies For Free College In New Jersey?

New Jersey students having adjusted gross income between $0 – $65,000 are eligible for free tuition and required fees after financial aid.

Who Qualifies for Free College Tuition in California?

California students can get free college tuition if their family income is less than $80,000 a year under the University of California’s Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan.

Are There Free Tuition Universities For International Students?

There are many universities and colleges that offer free tuition for low-income international students, such as Berea College, College of the Ozarks, Webb Institute, and Alice Lloyd College, to name a few.