22 Best Online Schools That Accept Financial Aid [FAFSA Approved]

Are you looking to learn more about different Online Schools that Accept Financial Aid?

Let us face it, colleges are not getting any cheaper and they’re only expected to increase in cost as time goes on.

If you’re someone who wants to get an education but doesn’t have the financial means to do so, there are still many easy online schools that are affordable and will help you get your degree!

But in a nutshell, what are FAFSA approved schools?

What are FAFSA Approved Schools?

FAFSA, short for the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid”, is an official form that a student, and/or their families in the United States complete to apply for financial assistance, grants, scholarships, etc., from the federal government.

It is a very important document for getting financial assistance as a student in the United States, and it is eligible for enrolled students who prove their financial need.

FAFSA Approved schools are those institutions that allow students to apply for and receive financial aid.

How to Find FAFSA Approved Online Schools

To verify if a school is FAFSA Approved, follow these steps below;

Simply visit the school’s record from the Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP).

Then search for the school by entering its name, you will be able to find its database which contains the school’s program accreditation information.

What are the best Online Schools that accept Financial Aid?

Here is a list of some of the schools with online programs that accept financial aid for students, the list will help you find just what you’re looking for, with additional information on the schools themselves and links to their websites, making it easier than ever to browse through your options and apply today!

St. John’s University
American Public University Charles Town, West Virginia
Lewis University

Arizona State University in Phoenix, Arizona
Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey
Benedictine University

Baker College in Owosso, Michigan
Bradley University
Our Lady of the Lake University

Capella Univerity Minneapolis, Minnesota
Lasell College
Utica College, Utica, New York

Anna Maria College
Widener University
Maryville University, St. Louis, Missouri

Southern New Hampshire University
Grand Canyon University Phoenix, Arizona
Penn State World Campus

Purdue University Global
The University of Florida at Gainseville, Florida
Texas Tech University

Rush University in Chicago, Illinois

1. St. John’s University

Founded in 1870, St. John’s University is the first on our list of online schools that accepts financial aid, it is a private institution that is religiously affiliated with the Roman Catholic church in Queens, New York.

St. John’s University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) with an acceptance and graduation rate of 75% and 61% respectively.

The school offers financial aid to more than 96% of its students and also provides the student with a checklist that helps them complete correctly.

You can select from any of the popular programs offered by the school, they include;

BS in business

MBA in enterprise risk management
MA in global development and social justice
MA in theology

MS in actuarial science

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2. American Public University Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University (APU) is one of the FAFSA approved online schools, it is a private, for-profit university that offers an affordable program to military personnel and the public service.

You can easily enroll in their online degree and certificate programs, there are over 200 degree programs available across the school’s network.

The school has a high acceptance rate of 100% and a graduation rate of 18%, some of the most popular programs here include;

BS in cybersecurity
BA in homeland security

BBA in business administration
MA in entrepreneurship
MS in Nursing

American Public University is also of the most accredited institutions, approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

3. Lewis University

The next on our list is Lewis University, one of the top universities in the United States and located in Romeoville, Illinois, United States.

Founded in 1932, Lewis University has grown to become of the largest institutions, with a 410-acre land mass and over 6800 enrolled students, over 80 undergraduate majors, and over 22 graduate programs.

Lewis University is also an affordable place to get your online degree, with an acceptance and graduation rate of 66% and 67% respectively.

It is one of the FAFSA approved online schools, offering student loans to students who qualify and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Students can choose from any of the popular degree programs;

BA in organizational leadership
BA in criminal justice
BS in computer science

MS in data science
MS in health information management

4. Arizona State University in Phoenix, Arizona

Are you in Arizona and searching for easy online schools to get into or those schools that accept financial aid?

Then you might want to consider the popular Arizona State University, one of the oldest and largest schools in the region.

You can join over 65,000 students who partake in the online programs offered by this school, it is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) so you have no worries.

Arizona State University has a high acceptance rate of 73%, and a graduation rate of 52%, and students can choose from any of the popular programs below;

BS in economics
Bachelor of applied science in project management
MS in biomedical diagnostics

Master of education in global education
Master of science in engineering; sustainable engineering

5. Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey

Founded in 1856, Seton Hall University is one of the top private, research institutions that is religiously affiliated with the Catholic Church in South Orage, New Jersey.

Today, the school enrolls over 10,000 students with graduate students making up about 40%, you can find online programs that suit your preference.

As one of the online schools that accept financial aid, Seton gives financial assistance to about 98% of its students, providing over $96 million annually to students through scholarships and grant money directly from the university.

Some of the popular programs that students can choose from include;

MA in police graduate studies program
MA in school counseling
MBA

MSN in adult-gerontology nurse practitioner
MS in Accounting
MS in Nursing

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You can easily get into Seton Hall University, it has a high acceptance rate of 78%, a high graduation rate of 70%, and it is also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

6. Benedictine University

Founded in 1887 by St. Procopius Abbey monks, Benedictine University is one of the schools in Chicago that offers online degree programs that accept financial aid.

It is a private school that is religiously affiliated with the Roman Catholic university in Lisle, Illinois, and promotes Benedictine values while offering an inclusive learning environment.

Almost 99% of full-time, beginning undergraduate students receive financial aid at Benedictine University through grants and scholarships.

Students can choose from any of the popular degree programs;

MBA
BA in management
MS in nutrition and wellness

Master of public health

Benedictine University offers 14 degree and certificate programs entirely online and the programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Benedictine University has a high acceptance rate of 61% and a graduation rate of 56%, students can choose to take on-campus classes at the Illinois or Arizona campuses.

7. Baker College in Owosso, Michigan

Baker College is another school that has online programs for students searching for financial aid, some of the programs here are accelerated which allows students to finish in less time.

Students interested in Baker College can choose from any of the popular programs below;

Popular degree programs:

BS in game development
BBA in management
BS in human services

MS in industrial/organizational psychology
MSN in nursing administration

Baker College’s online program is also easy to get with an acceptance rate of 54% and a graduation rate of 22%, the school is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

8. Bradley University

Founded in 1897, Bradley University began as a polytechnic but has built a reputation as one of the best private schools in Peoria, Illinois.

With an acceptance and graduation rate of 73 and 76% respectively, the school enrolls over 5000 students pursuing degrees in more than 100 undergraduate programs and more than 30 graduate programs in five colleges.

As one of the FAFSA approved schools, Bradley assists its students by offering grants through FAFSA, direct scholarships, and also work-study programs.

Students can choose from any of the popular degree programs;

BA/BS in interdisciplinary innovation
BA/BS in general studies
MS in nursing; nursing administration

MA in nonprofit leadership
MA in counseling; clinical mental health counseling

The programs offered at Bradley University are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

9. Our Lady of the Lake University

Founded in 1895, Our Lady of the Lake University, also known as the Lake, is a private university that is religiously affiliated with the Roman Catholic university in San Antonio, Texas.

The university offers a good number of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in weekday, evening, weekend, and online formats.

As one of the best online schools that accept financial aid, Our Lady of the Lake University records 75% of its students that receives federal loans, students can easily apply for FAFSA from the school’s website.

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Students can also choose from any of the popular degree programs;

Master of Education in School Counseling
Master of Social Work

The programs at the Our Lady of the Lake University are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

10. Capella Univerity Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University is a private for-profit online university offering over 160 online programs, its headquarter is in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

As one of the online schools that accept financial aid, Capella university helps more than 60% of its students with financial assistance.

Students can select from any of the school’s online learning formats: FlexPath or GuidedPath.

FlexPath can help the students reduce costs by charging per term, not credit and students can finish classes at their own pace.

The GuidedPath on the other hand offers students classroom interaction.

Students can choose from any of the popular programs below;

RN-to-BSN
BS in business; accounting
BS in healthcare administration; healthcare administration leadership

MS in psychology
MS in information technology; cybersecurity

Other Online Schools that accept financial aid include;

Lasell College
Utica College, Utica, New York
Anna Maria College

Widener University
Maryville University, St. Louis, Missouri
Southern New Hampshire University

Grand Canyon University Phoenix, Arizona
Penn State World Campus
Purdue University Global

The University of Florida at Gainseville, Florida
Texas Tech University
Rush University in Chicago, Illinois

Conclusion

Choosing an online school can be a tough decision, but with this list, you can’t go wrong.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What disqualifies you from getting financial aid?

Here are some of the things that can disqualify a student from receiving or qualifying for financial aid; arrests, infractions, misdemeanors, and serious crimes. Minor offenses won't eliminate aid completely but they will limit their eligibility for programs as well as the amount of aid they can receive.

How do I get a scholarship if I don't qualify for financial aid?

If you could not qualify for financial aid, you don't have to worry much, just be on the look for scholarship opportunities with your state's government or with statewide organizations that you may have been involved with.

What GPA is required for financial aid?

GPA requirements for financial aid vary by school, but the average GPA required is 3.0. Some schools may require a higher GPA, while others may be more lenient. In general, the higher your GPA, the more likely you are to receive financial aid.