Save Your Money: Top Online Colleges With No Fees or Low Fees

no fees

It’s no surprise that college is extremely expensive. This is precisely why online colleges with no fees are becoming the new educational goal for students across the country.

If your parents say that college was affordable in the 1960s, you better believe it. The numbers tell the story of the rising costs of college education in the United States. 

The average annual tuition at a public university today is 23 times higher than it was in 1963. Tuition has increased by 747.8% (adjusted for currency inflation) since then. The 1980s saw the worst increase in college tuition inflation – a 52% increase. 

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Between 2010 and 2022, tuition inflation was 12% per year, on average. In the same period, tuition in public institutions increased 9.24%. 

In 2024, online students in bachelor’s degree programs will spend $54,231 on average. But it can be as low as $40,926 for in-state students in public colleges. Students in private colleges spend $62,756 on average. 

Are you intimidated by these numbers and their implications on your college aspirations? If you are, there’s hope. We recommend online colleges with no fees, thanks to fee waivers. 

When we say “fees,” we’re talking about the extra charges that students pay besides tuition per credit. These extra charges cover a wide range of services and activities students enjoy. Technology fees, e-book fees, and student services fees are common in online colleges. 

We must consider fees in the cost of attendance because it’s part of the “tuition and fees” package. Keep in mind that tuition and fees comprise more than 46% of the cost of attendance. Tuition and fees are also directly related – if tuition is affordable, so are the fees. 

Again, you must explore affordable options in pursuing your college aspirations. With online colleges with no fees, you can enjoy significant cost savings. You can focus more on financing your books, supplies, and living expenses. The cost savings from non-payment of fees can be used for this purpose.

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Understanding College Fees

Online colleges have their own set of fees that differ from on-campus fees. For example, parking, athletic, and health services fees are uncommon in online colleges. These are fees specific to on-campus services provided to students in in-person programs. 

Like on-campus colleges, online colleges have an admission-to-graduation fee structure. Every service that an online college provides can come with a fee. You must then ask for an itemized list of college fees, if possible, to avoid unpleasant surprises. Hidden charges can add up to hundreds of dollars if you aren’t careful.

Here are the common fees online colleges charge from admission to graduation. 

  • Application fee – Used in processing your application for acceptance 
  • Enrollment fee – Charged upon your acceptance of an offer of admission and enrollment 
  • Assessment fee – For prior learning and portfolio assessment 
  • Technology fee – Funds the maintenance and upgrades of the digital infrastructure 
  • Course material fee – Covers the cost of e-books and online learning materials 
  • Software fee – For specialized software access 
  • Special program fee – Covers the extra resources necessary for specialized programs
  • Student services fee – For student support services. Examples include academic advising, tutoring, and writing services
  • Administrative fee – Covers administrative services 
  • Library fee – For access to digital and on-campus libraries 
  • Proctoring fee – Covers online exam proctoring services 
  • Laboratory fee – For software and apps used in virtual laboratories 
  • Graduation application fee – Covers the processing of your application for graduation 
  • Ceremony fee – Covers the cost of an in-person commencement ceremony 
  • Diploma fee – Charged for the printing and mailing of your diploma 
  • Transcript fee – For requests for official transcripts and academic records 

Even when many of these fees have nominal amounts, these add up. You may find yourself paying hundreds of dollars for fees in a single semester. The financial burden can be so much that taking out a student loan makes sense. 

Benefits of Fee-Free and Low-Fee Online Colleges

Here are the specific benefits students in online colleges with no fees enjoy:

Financial relief for students and families

Online colleges with no fees or low fees remove the financial burden associated with fees. If you’re supposed to pay $200 in fees but these are waived, it’s $200 in savings. You can use it for other college-related expenses, such as books and supplies.

There’s also less risk of taking out more student loans than necessary. You and your family can experience financial relief.

Increased accessibility to higher education

Affordable online colleges provide increased access to college education for diverse populations, including: 

  • Working professionals who want the flexibility and accessibility of asynchronous online courses. Maintaining a good work-life balance while pursuing their studies becomes possible.   
  • Adult learners going back to school to finish their bachelor’s degrees also enjoy these benefits. They can learn at their own pace and schedule.
  • Traditional college-age students who want an online education for personal reasons. On-campus and online programs have the same curriculum, professors, and learning outcomes. Their quality of education is the same as their on-campus counterparts. 
  • Students in rural areas and underserved areas have access to college education. The geographical distance doesn’t matter anymore.  

Indeed, affordable online colleges remove the financial, geographical, and other barriers to education. 

Greater chance of academic success without financial stress

With less financial burden comes more focus on your studies. You’re less likely to experience anxiety from the increasing cost of college. 

Better mental health promotes improved academic performance and progress. You’re better able to understand your lessons and keep up with assignments. The result is your completion of whatever degree program you’re in. 

For online colleges, these student-related benefits translate to higher retention and graduation rates. Their prestige and reputation improve in the process. Plus, these increase diversity and inclusivity in college education. 

Top 5 Online Colleges With No Fees or Fee Reductions

We selected these online colleges based on the following factors: 

  • With current regional accreditation 
  • Offers affordable tuition and fees 
  • Provides waivers for fees 

If affordability is your topmost factor in choosing an online college, consider them. 

Austin Peay State University

APSU, a public university, offers a wide range of excellent online degree programs. Management, sociology, and information technology are popular.

We consider it among the best no fees online colleges, too. APSU offers fee discounts and waivers for employees and their spouses and dependents. Online course fee waivers are also available.

University of Central Florida

UCF is also among the best low-fee online colleges that offer world-class education. Popular programs are in education, engineering, and criminal justice, among others. 

Online students receive tuition fee waivers for the following fees: 

  • Application fee (Based on financial hardship) 
  • Activity and service fee
  • Transportation and access fee
  • Athletic fee
  • Health fee
  • Technology fee

But, these waivers also limit student access to on-campus services and resources. These include health services, recreation and wellness facilities, and student housing.

University of Tennessee Martin

UT Martin, a public university, offers affordable online education. The average tuition and fees are $9,912 for in-state students. Online students also enjoy savings from the generous fee reduction policies. 

A few of these fee discounts and waivers include: 

  • A 25% discount on maintenance fees for dependent children of full-time employees of the State of Tennessee and Tennessee-certified public school teachers
  • Full-time employees of the State of Tennessee can apply for a waiver of fees. These include registration fees, debt service fees, tuition charges, and maintenance fees. 
  • Fee waiver for credit or audit courses for resident students and totally disabled 
  • Students at least 60 years old who want to audit courses or students at least 65 years old who want to take for-credit courses may apply for a fee waiver. 

UT Martin’s strengths are in education, agriculture, engineering, and business. 

The State University of New York

The State of New York takes pride in its system of public colleges and universities. SUNY is among the country’s best online colleges for low-income students. Stony Brook University and the University at Buffalo are its best schools. 

SUNY’s universities are also known for being no hidden fees colleges. What you see on your student account is what you will pay – no hidden charges. 

Plus, almost 60% of applicants to SUNY receive application fee waivers. The limit is seven application fee waivers for every student-applicant. 

Fee waivers are also available to specific groups, including: 

  • Students experiencing economic hardship
  • Students from specific high schools 
  • EOP-eligible students 
  • Military-connected students 
  • Students with associate degrees from either SUNY or CUNY 
  • AmeriCorps Alumni

California State University

Cal State offers financial aid for online education, too, including an application fee waiver. As a comprehensive university, it offers cost-effective online degrees. Popular programs are in business, psychology, and nursing. 

Online students are also eligible for diverse financial aid opportunities. These include federal and state aid, institutional scholarships, and military education benefits. 

Choose from among these budget-friendly online colleges and reap the rewards soon enough. You’re getting world-class education at an affordable cost. Think of the best value you can get.

How to Apply for Fee Waivers and Reductions

Keep these general tips in mind when applying for fee waivers and discounts. 

  • Research the available fee waivers and discounts offered by your online college. 
  • Determine if you’re eligible. Ask a financial aid officer for more details and seek guidance. 
  • Gather the required documents. These can include proof of income and, enrollment and identification documents. 
  • Complete and submit the application forms. Be sure to meet the deadlines. 
  • Follow up on your application if it’s allowed. 
  • Confirm approval of your fee waiver or discount. 

Getting approval for fee waivers and discounts demands planning and work, too. Here are effective tips to achieve the goal. 

  • Apply as early as possible. You will have ample time to correct errors and respond to additional requests.  
  • Double-check your application form. Complete and correct information is a must. 
  • Seek help. 
  • Keep systematic records.

Tips for Choosing the Right Low-Fee Online College

  • Always check for regional accreditation. It’s the foremost guarantee of academic quality, financial aid availability, and student support services. 
  • Consider the academic programs if these align with your interests and goals. 
  • Check the tuition and fees for the academic program you’re considering. Be sure that, indeed, financial aid options are available. Scholarships, grants, fee waivers and discounts are valuable in keeping your costs down. 
  • Determine if the levels of flexibility and convenience align with your needs. You want to enjoy a good work-life balance while earning your degree. 
  • Assess the types and availability of student support services for online students. The must-haves are academic advising, online tutoring, career counseling, and technical support. 
  • Read the reviews to determine overall reputation. Ask students and alumni if you can.

Conclusion on Online Colleges with No Fees

There’s no doubt about the rising cost of college education. We cannot overemphasize the importance of finding affordable online education. You want to enjoy the benefits of a college education without getting into overwhelming student loan debt. 

Keep in mind, too, that affordable education can mean quality education, too. The trick is choosing accredited online colleges with a sterling reputation for academic excellence. Look at the five online colleges featured above and start your journey.