While colleges are worth it in the 21st century, it can be expensive to apply in one. Thus, you would want to study for free, even without scholarships. Now, as a low-income earner within or outside the US, there are options for colleges that offer free tuition for low income. I come from one, have been there, so, you can learn from my experience to determine what free-tuition university to apply for.
You are a senior year student looking towards college applications. And probably a U.S. citizen with foreign parents and no living experience in the U.S.. Well, American college admissions system might feel like a maze, especially as a first-gen student. Now, schools in a developing country like the US, where resources for college prep are few and far between. Your family makes less than $30,000 a year, which puts you in the low-income bracket. On top of that, while you speak four languages (impressive, although you might say it’s pretty standard in your country), and you’re actively volunteering, your school doesn’t offer much in the way of extracurriculars.
So, you have made a decion to sidestep the whole merit scholarship route, knowing that it might not be your best bet. Now, you’re really looking for a colleges that offer free tuition for low income students, at a minimum. It doesn’t matter if it’s not a well-known college; what matters is that it doesn’t come with the burden of tuition fees. Your family has kindly offered to take out loans for other expenses, but having that tuition covered is a non-negotiable for you. So, in this post, not only will you get colleges that offer free tuition for low income but I have eliminated Ivy League schools.
Colleges That Offer Free Tuition for Low Income
Alice Lloyd College
Alice Lloyd College, located in the rural area of Pippa Passes, Kentucky, is a private work college that was founded in 1923 by journalist Alice Spencer Geddes Lloyd and June Buchanan. The college is dedicated to educating leaders in the Appalachian region and offers 18 major degree programs and eight pre-professional programs. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1, the college ensures that students receive personalized attention.
The college is unique in that it guarantees free tuition for up to 10 semesters to students from 108 counties in the Central Appalachian service area, which includes parts of Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. This is made possible through the Appalachian Leaders Scholarship. By the way, all students are required to participate in the student work program, contributing at least 10 hours a week in various areas such as maintenance, food preparation, and office administrative work.
Berea College
Berea College is a private liberal arts college in Berea, Kentucky. It was founded in 1855 and is the first college in the American South to be coeducational and racially integrated. Berea is known for its high-quality education and its commitment to providing access to education for all students, regardless of financial background. Berea is a small college with about 1,600 students. It offers 32 majors and has a strong focus on community service. Berea is also known for its diversity, with students from all over the United States and the world.
Berea offers free tuition to all accepted students. To make this possible, each student is required to work 10 hours per week in a work-study program. This work can be done on or off campus, and it can be used to pay for housing, food, and other fees.
City College of San Francisco
If you live in San Francisco, you are eligible for free tuition at City College of San Francisco (CCSF). CCSF is a public community college that offers a wide range of programs, including associate’s degrees, career training, and transfer programs to four-year universities. CCSF was founded in 1935 to make education accessible to all. It is one of the most affordable colleges in the country, and its free tuition program makes it even more accessible to low-income students.
CCSF offers a variety of programs and services to help students succeed. Students can take classes in person, online, or through a hybrid format. CCSF also offers tutoring, counseling, and other student support services.
Cornell University
Cornell University is one of the best colleges in the world. It is also one of the most affordable, with free tuition for low-income students. If your family makes less than $60,000 per year, you can go to Cornell for free. You will not have to take out any student loans.
Cornell is a private university, but it is also a public land-grant institution. This means that it receives funding from the state of New York, and in return, it is required to offer free tuition to New York residents who meet certain income requirements. Even if you are not a New York resident, you may still be eligible for free tuition at Cornell. The university offers a number of scholarships and grants to low-income students from all over the country.
Ecclesia College
One of the best colleges for low-income students is Ecclesia College. Ecclesia College is a private Christian college located in Springdale, Arkansas.
Ecclesia College was founded in 1975 and has a strong reputation for academic excellence. The college offers a variety of undergraduate programs, including business, education, healthcare, and ministry. Ecclesia College also has a unique work-learning program that allows students to gain valuable workforce training skills while completing their education.
The work-learning program is a great way for low-income students to afford college. It also allows students to gain valuable workforce training skills. According to Ecclesia College, the average Ecclesia College student graduates with less than $10,000 in college debt because of the work-learning program.
Blackburn College
Blackburn College is a private four-year liberal arts college in Carlinville, Illinois. It is one of the eight federally recognized work-colleges in the country. This means that all residential students are required to work, while commuters from the surrounding areas are not.
Blackburn College recently announced a free tuition program for students from the state of Illinois who come from low- and moderate-income households. To qualify, students must first be accepted to the college, receive their full Pell Grant, and participate in other state-based tuition programs. Students are also required to enroll in the work study opportunity in order to become a student resident on campus.
Antioch College
Antioch College is a private college in Yellow Springs, Ohio. It is known for its progressive politics and its cooperative education program. Antioch students alternate between semesters of classroom learning and semesters of paid work experience in their field of study. This gives students a chance to gain real-world experience and make connections with potential employers.
Antioch College is committed to making education affordable for all students. In 2020, Antioch launched the Antioch College Works program, which guarantees full-tuition scholarships to all students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. The Pell Grant is a federal grant that is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.
Deep Springs College
Deep Springs College is a unique school that offers a full scholarship to all students, regardless of financial need. The school is located on a remote cattle ranch in Deep Springs, California, and students are expected to commit to a life of service to humanity. Classes are generally small, and the student body is charged with admitting future students, hiring faculty, and reviewing student performances.
Deep Springs College is a great option for low-income students who are looking for a challenging and rewarding educational experience. The school’s commitment to self-governance and manual labor helps students develop important life skills, and the full scholarship makes it possible for students to attend college without incurring debt.
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a great choice for low-income students. It is one of the nine colleges founded before the American Revolution. It is also an Ivy League school, which means it is very prestigious and competitive to get into. However, Dartmouth is committed to making sure that every student who is accepted can afford to attend, regardless of their financial background.
For students from families with incomes of $100,000 or less, Dartmouth will cover the full cost of tuition. This means that you will not have to pay any money out of pocket for your classes. Dartmouth will also provide you with financial aid to help cover the cost of room and board, books, and other expenses.
Barclay College
Barclay College is a Christian college located in Haviland, Kansas. It is one of the nation’s top tuition-free colleges for rural students. Barclay offers a variety of unique program offerings, such as a bachelor’s program in Psychology and Biblical Counseling, Youth Ministry, Pastoral Ministry, and Worship/ Arts and theology.
Barclay College is committed to making education affordable for all students, regardless of their financial background. That’s why they offer a full tuition scholarship to all students who live in the dorms. Students also receive $600 in scholarship money to study online through any of the accredited, online education models offered at Barclay.
Central Christian College of the Bible
If you’re looking for a free Christian college in Missouri, Central Christian College of the Bible (CCCB) is a great option. CCCB offers a variety of programs, including the Torch Scholarship, which provides full tuition to highly qualified students. To be eligible for the Torch Scholarship, you must be admitted to CCCB and enrolled in a certificate or degree program. You must also achieve high standards in both grades and Christian service.
CCCB is a private Christian college located in Moberly, Missouri. Founded in 1957, CCCB is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education. CCCB is based on a series of Christian core values that include affordable Christ-centered education, while continuing the legacy of the restoration movement.
Sterling College
Sterling College in Vermont offers free tuition for low-income students. It is one of the top colleges in the country that offers this opportunity. Sterling is a four-year college with a focus on environmental stewardship. The college offers five bachelor’s degree programs that are environmentally focused, and one that is self-designed.
Sterling College is committed to making education affordable for all students. The college offers a significant amount of needs-based grants to students, so they can focus on their education and not have to worry about overwhelming debt. The college also supports sharing of textbooks to cut down on costs, and is transparent about any additional expenses like health insurance that students will be responsible for.
Brown University
You can go to Brown University for free if your family earns less than $60,000 per year. Brown is one of the best colleges in the United States, and it is also one of the most generous when it comes to financial aid.
Brown is a private university, so it is expensive. But Brown is committed to making sure that all students can afford to attend, regardless of their family’s income. That’s why Brown offers free tuition to low-income students.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
UNC is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It is one of the oldest public universities in the United States, and it is known for its high academic standards and its beautiful campus.
UNC offers a number of scholarships for low-income students, including the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program. This program is a four-year scholarship that covers full undergraduate tuition, room and board, as well as coverage additional required expenses. Scholars are given three summers of international and domestic experiences, as well as participation in professional development and leadership opportunities. Scholars also have access to alumni, staff and a community of peer scholars.
Columbia University
For low income students, Columbia University is one of the best colleges that offers free tuition. This Ivy League school is located in NYC, and students from families that earn $60,000 or less can get a free ride.
Columbia University is very selective, and it accepts only 6% of applicants. However, the university is committed to helping all students pay for their education without student loans. Columbia provides more than $140 million in scholarships and grants each year.
Conclusion
There are a number of great colleges that offer free tuition for low income students. These colleges provide a high-quality education and can help students achieve their academic goals without incurring debt.
When choosing a colleges that offer free tuition for low income students, it is important to consider your individual needs and preferences. Some factors to consider include the size of the school, the location, the academic programs offered, and the extracurricular activities available. It is also important to research the college’s financial aid policies to make sure that you are eligible for free tuition.
If you are a low income student who is interested in attending a colleges that offer free tuition for low income students, I encourage you to apply to any of the colleges listed in this article. These colleges offer a variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities, and they are all committed to providing a high-quality education to all students, regardless of their financial background.