The rising cost of a university education may make pursing a degree feel unobtainable. However, with the sometimes more affordable tuition and fees associated with online education and funding from scholarships and grants, earning your degree doesn’t have to be impossible, no matter what the current state of your financial situation. The first step you can take to begin your search for scholarships and grants is to ensure that the online university you have selected is an accredited institution. Most financial aid is only awarded to students attending accredited colleges and universities. After you have verified your school’s accreditation, you are ready to delve into the world of financial aid.

Almost all institutions granting money require students to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete this important form online to ensure you are filling out everything correctly and for the fastest return on your results. Once you receive the results of your FAFSA, you will be able to determine for what types of federal aid you qualify. You will also want to send your FAFSA results to any colleges or universities for which you are applying. When the schools receive your information, they can match you to any financial aid available through that particular school.

Getting scholarships and grants to help fund your online degree program can be a great way to ease the financial burden of your education. Scholarships and grants are given for a number of reasons, including affiliation with certain groups, academic achievement, or special abilities such as athletic or artistic talent. The first thing you should do is make a list of various aspects of your life that may help you qualify for these scholarship or grant awards. If you are a woman, of an ethnic minority, are a member of certain educational, social, or religious groups, or participate in community service projects, you may discover funds available for you. Take some time browsing through the scholarships and grants available through students.gov. The listing at this site includes an amazing assortment of financial aid opportunities. You can also speak with your local librarian at the public library, who can point you in the right direction for scholarship and grant resource publications.

Be sure to devote plenty of time to your scholarship and grant search to determine the best ones for you. Once you have selected the financial aid for which you wish to apply, you will need to pay close attention to the application deadlines and the required support for each. Many scholarship and grant applications require transcripts, tax forms, your parents’ tax forms (if applicable), standardized test scores, essays, and letters of reference. Applying for scholarships and grants to fund your online degree program will take some time and effort, but the more you put into your search, the better chance you will have to receive the money necessary to attend the best college or university for you.

Top Online Universities

	University of Phoenix - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctoral Degrees. University of Phoenix has numerous educational resources that allow it to offer students assistance that many other colleges can’t. University of Phoenix has campus locations throughout the country and classes are available online.
	Kaplan University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Kaplan University has a successful track record of placing students in high-growth careers. With classes available online, students can graduate from Kaplan without ever leaving the comfort of their home.
	Ashford University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Students seeking to learn in a classroom or from the comfort of home will like the course offerings at Ashford University. Students seeking a college degree will be very hard pressed to find a better option than Ashford University.
	American InterContinental University Online  - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. American InterContinental University has campus locations around the world that have been educating students for over 35 years. AIU has become internationally recognized for offering dynamic, hands-on classes for students seeking new careers.
	Liberty University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Liberty University is one of the largest evangelical universities in the world today and has the resources to provide each student an outstanding education. Liberty University is a fully accredited university that has graduated thousands of students.
	Everest University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Every student attending classes at Everest University receives a hands-on approach from a well respected faculty that allows them to better learn the material. Everest University is very convenient for students working full time and allows them to take classes from home.
	Virginia College - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Virginia College has been successful in placing students in fast-growing industries using their dynamic curriculum. An accredited university, Virginia College offers affordable programs that allow almost everyone to be able to attend.
	Capella University - Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctoral Degrees. Offering flexible class schedules and affordable classes, Capella University is making it easy for students to go back to school. Capella University offers many accredited upper level degrees that other colleges do not provide.
	Grand Canyon University - Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees. Grand Canyon University is a college in a Christian community that provides many advantages that many other online colleges do not offer. Each student is handled individually at Grand Canyon, where a great administrative staff makes sure every need is met.