Attaining higher education is an essential step toward a successful career, but the cost of tuition can be a considerable burden for many students. Fortunately, various financial aid resources are available that can significantly reduce the cost of tuition or even make it entirely free. These resources can include scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. As a bonus, pursuing an associate degree in a high-paying and in-demand field can help graduates achieve financial stability and career success sooner. In this article, we will investigate some financial aid resources available to students and provide a shortlist of lucrative and sought-after occupations that can be pursued with an associate degree.
How To Earn Your Associate Degree for Free
By combining different forms of financial aid, students can significantly reduce the cost of earning an associate degree. Students can sometimes reduce the cost entirely if they receive enough scholarships and grants or work enough hours through a work-study program to cover their expenses.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a popular form of financial aid that can significantly reduce the cost of earning an associate degree. Unlike loans, scholarships do not need to be repaid, making them an attractive option for students looking to minimize their student loan debt.
Scholarships can be awarded for various reasons, including academic achievement, athletic ability, community service, or unique talent. Schools, private organizations, or corporations offer many scholarships, ranging in value from a few hundred dollars to full tuition coverage.
For example, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Scholarship is offered specifically for students earning an associate degree. This scholarship is open to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members, an international honor society for two-year college students. The scholarship provides up to $5,000 in funding for students transferring to four-year colleges or universities to complete their bachelor’s degrees. In addition, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society offers the Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship, reserved for students who need help financially recovering from emergencies related to natural disasters, major illnesses, or loss of income.
Many scholarships are available for students earning an associate degree in addition to the two listed above. Therefore, it’s essential to research scholarship opportunities and apply for as many as possible to increase the chances of receiving financial aid that can help reduce expenses related to earning an associate degree.
Grants
Similar to scholarships, grants offer financial assistance for earning an associate degree without the burden of repayment. Grants are typically awarded based on financial need, although some may also have specific eligibility criteria, such as academic achievement or community service. Many grants are offered by federal or state governments, as well as private organizations, foundations, and corporations.
The Federal Pell Grant is an excellent need-based grant offered by the U.S. Department of Education to help low-income students pay for college. The amount of the Pell Grant varies depending on the student’s financial need, the cost of attendance, and whether the student is enrolled full- or part-time. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the maximum Pell Grant award is $7,395.
Some students may also be eligible for a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). The FSEOG is also a needs-based grant, and it is awarded to students with exceptional financial needs. The amount varies depending on the student’s financial condition and the availability of funds at the school, with most students receiving an award of $100 to $4,000.
State governments and private organizations also offer grants specifically for students earning an associate degree, so it’s essential to research all available grant opportunities and apply for as many as possible to reduce education expenses.
Work-study
Work-study programs enable college students to earn money while they are enrolled in college. Like scholarships and grants, this money does not need to be repaid, making it a desirable financial aid option for those seeking to decrease their student debt.
Through work-study programs, students are employed by their two-year college and are paid for their work. These jobs usually include positions in areas such as the library, campus bookstore, or student services.
Students who participate in work-study programs typically work part-time. The number of hours worked, and the pay rate vary depending on the school and the student’s financial need. Some examples may include the following:
- Federal Work-Study Program: The U.S. Department of Education offers this program and provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial needs. Positions are available on and off campus, and the pay rate is at least minimum wage. To be eligible students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- State Work-Study Programs: Many states offer their work-study programs for students attending colleges within the state. The programs may have specific eligibility criteria, such as residency or academic achievement. For example, the Massachusetts State Work-Study Program provides part-time jobs for veterans who are Massachusetts residents and have financial needs.
- College-Specific Work-Study Programs: Some colleges offer their work-study programs for students. These programs may have specific eligibility requirements or prioritize certain jobs or majors. For example, Columbia-Greene Community College in New York offers a work-study program that prioritizes jobs related to the student’s field of study.
The 50 Best Free Online Associate Degree Programs
How We Rank Schools
This list features some of the country’s best free online associate degree programs. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution, either public or private, with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of the best free online associate degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What You Can Do with an Associate Degree
Earning a four-year bachelor’s degree is not the only path to a high-paying and rewarding career. In fact, many lucrative and in-demand occupations only require an associate degree. These careers allow individuals to enter the workforce sooner, with less student loan debt, while enjoying a comfortable salary.
Dental hygienists
Median annual salary (May 2021): $77,810
Projected job growth (2021-2031): 9%
Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who work under the supervision of dentists to assist in preventing and treating oral diseases. In addition, they provide dental hygiene services to patients, including cleaning teeth, taking X-rays, and providing education on oral health and hygiene practices. Dental hygienists work in clean, well-lit environments like dental offices, clinics, and hospitals. They often spend a significant amount of time on their feet, and their schedules may include evenings and weekends to accommodate patients’ needs.
Diagnostic medical sonographers
Median annual salary (May 2021): $77,740
Projected job growth (2021-2031): 10%
A diagnostic medical sonographer, also known as an ultrasound technician, is a healthcare professional who uses specialized equipment to create images of internal organs, tissues, and blood flow within the body. These images are used to diagnose and monitor various medical conditions, making these technicians an asset to the healthcare community.
Diagnostic medical sonographers typically work full-time in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic imaging centers. They may also work in specialized fields, such as obstetrics and gynecology, focusing on imaging the female reproductive system during pregnancy.
Occupational therapy assistants
Median annual salary (May 2021): $61,730
Projected job growth (2021-2031): 25%
An occupational therapy assistant works under the supervision of an occupational therapist to help patients improve their ability to perform daily living and work-related activities. They work with patients of all ages who have physical, mental, or developmental disabilities or injuries that affect their ability to perform everyday tasks. Occupational therapy assistants often work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools, and private practices. They may work full- or part-time, and their schedules may include evenings and weekends to accommodate patients’ needs.
Physical therapist assistants
Median annual salary (May 2021): $61,180
Projected job growth (2021-2031): 24%
A physical therapist assistant works under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist to help patients improve their physical mobility, reduce pain, and recover from injuries or surgeries. They work with patients from early childhood to adulthood who have physical disabilities or injuries that affect their ability to move and perform everyday activities.
Physical therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools, and private practices. They typically work full-time and may be required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays to accommodate patients’ needs.
Respiratory therapists
Median annual salary (May 2021): $61,830
Projected job growth (2021-2031): 14%
A respiratory therapist is a healthcare professional who specializes in treating patients with breathing problems. They work with patients of all ages with conditions such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis, as well as those in critical care or requiring mechanical ventilation. Respiratory therapists typically work in hospitals, clinics, home healthcare, and long-term care facilities. They usually work full-time and may be required to work evenings, weekends, or on-call to provide emergency respiratory care.