It’s no secret that the cost of college is pricey these days. However, there are colleges that will pay you to attend. Some of these schools cover the full cost of attendance, others waive tuition fees, and some offer substantial scholarships to a large number of students each year.
If you’re looking for a college that pays you to attend, read on for our list of colleges that help students afford their higher education goals.
Key Points
• Some colleges offer full-ride scholarships that cover tuition, fees, and room and board, effectively paying students to attend without out-of-pocket expenses.
• Certain colleges provide work-study opportunities, allowing students to earn money through on-campus jobs.
• Some colleges, particularly smaller institutions, offer financial incentives or stipends to attract talented students, especially in specific fields like STEM or arts.
• Online colleges may also offer tuition assistance to those that qualify and are accepted into the program.
• Students can pay for college with merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, federal student loans, and private student loans.
What It Means for a College to Pay You
Many students struggle to figure out how to pay for college. Luckily, there are colleges that are sympathetic to how challenging it is to afford the cost of higher education.
There is no specific formula that colleges follow to cover the cost of attendance for students. While some colleges cover the entire cost of attendance, others may choose just to cover some of the more substantial costs like tuition. Online colleges can cover tuition while also helping students save money by living at home with their parents.
Recommended: 20 Ways to Save Money in College
Finding Colleges That Will Pay You
Paying for college with no savings — or even with savings — can be difficult. You’ll need to do some digging to find a college that offers the program you’re looking for, is in the right location, and makes attendance affordable. To help you kickstart your research, these are some colleges that take some or all of the financial strain off students hoping to earn a degree.
Curtis Institute of Music
Students who are musically inclined will appreciate that all students at the Curtis Institute of Music qualify for merit-based, full-tuition scholarships. Located in Philadelphia, PA, this is a tricky school to get into — they have only a 4% acceptance rate — but those who get in will enjoy a 4:3 student to faculty ratio.
Mizzou University of Missouri
If you are a Pell-eligible undergrad and have an interest in attending the University of Missouri, home to the world’s first school of journalism, you may be able to attend tuition-free. During the 2023-24 academic year alone, $207 million was spent on scholarships and other forms of gift aid.
Deep Springs College
All students who attend Deep Springs College, a two-year liberal arts college near Mammoth Lakes, California, don’t just get to enjoy free tuition, but also room and board. This scholarship is valued at over $50,000 and covers both the cost of tuition and room and board.
Davidson College
If you earn the Belk Scholarship as a Davidson College attendee, this scholarship fully covers tuition, fees, housing, and meals, along with stipends for exploring opportunities on and off campus. Thanks to the John M. Belk Endowment, 32 Belk Scholars are enrolled, with eight new students chosen each year. Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC, just outside of Charlotte.
Recommended: 10 Most Common Types of Scholarships for College
Online Colleges That Will Pay You to Attend
While many students are eager to attend college in person to enjoy all that campus life has to offer, some students prefer the convenience of online college. The good news is there are online colleges that pay you to attend — some of which also offer in-person learning opportunities.
Before you commit to all the expenses that come with a dorm room, check out these colleges that pay you to attend online. Who doesn’t love a college with free tuition and classes you can attend in your pajamas?
Berea College
Since 1892, all Berea College students have paid $0 in tuition. In addition to saving on tuition, during the fall 2024 semester, 77% of incoming students attended at no cost, with Berea covering tuition, housing, meals, and fees. The catch? You need to demonstrate strong academic potential to earn acceptance to Berea college. Students need an average ACT score of 25, and currently over half of first-year students rank in the top 20% of their high school class.
Barclay College
If you want to live in a dorm, but are struggling to afford the costs of both tuition and room and board, Barclay College may be the right fit for you. If you choose to live on campus full-time at Barclay College, located in Haviland, KS, you qualify for a $20,000 scholarship that balances out the cost of the tuition.
University of the People
University of the People advertises their school as the “world’s first tuition‑free accredited, 100% online university.” Their tuition-free model makes earning a college degree more affordable, but you will need to budget for some minimal fees. However, you may qualify for a scholarship to cover those costs.
Recommended: 10 Most Affordable Online Colleges in the United States
Finding Generous Financial Aid Packages
Before going to college, you need to do some serious research on how you will pay for it. One way to avoid taking on high-interest private student loans at any school is to apply for financial aid packages (both need-based and merit-based).
Need-Based Aid
If you can demonstrate financial need, you may qualify for need-based aid such as grants. College grants do not need to be paid back. So unlike a loan, you can enjoy the money completely free of charge and can use it to pay for school.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Unlike grants, scholarships aren’t typically based on need, but are merit-based instead. Time to get organized and start applying for scholarships. Like grants, you don’t need to pay scholarship money back.
Tuition-Free College Options
If you’re looking to attend college for free, joining the military can be a great way to give back to your country while also avoiding taking on student loan debt. Some employers also cover the cost of employee education.
Military Service Incentives
Each branch of the military provides college scholarships to qualified students, covering tuition, books, and fees, along with offering stipends. In exchange for the scholarship, students commit to serving in the military. After graduating, they begin their careers as commissioned officers.
The military also offers various programs to help veterans pay for college. The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers tuition, housing, and supplies, while the Montgomery GI Bill and Tuition Assistance programs offer additional funding. Some programs also support dependents, making higher education accessible for veterans and their families.
Recommended: Student Loans for Military Dependents
Employee Benefit Programs
If you work for a large company, you may be surprised by the education benefits that are available. While tuition assistance programs aren’t exclusive to large employers (it never hurts to ask HR what your options are), it’s more common to find these perks at major corporations.
Why would an employer be willing to pay for your degree? Companies offer tuition assistance because college courses help employees gain valuable general and specialized skills, like communication and data analysis, that increase their market value and earning potential. Although this investment can be costly for employers, it allows workers to obtain degrees or credentials that benefit both the employee and the company by improving job performance and career prospects.
The Takeaway
When searching for the right college, money matters. Between tuition, room and board, transportation, and books and supplies, attending college can be expensive. It can take quite a bit of research and effort to find the perfect fit, but there are colleges out there that do their best to make attending more affordable. Between tuition-free programs, grants, and scholarships, there are ways students can avoid taking on too much debt as they earn a college degree.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
What are the requirements to receive pay at college?
A variety of colleges — both in-person and online — pay students to work at the school while they take classes. You can contact the admissions and financial aid offices at the schools you apply for to learn more about how you can receive financial support.
Are there tax implications for pay from colleges?
If you earn a scholarship or fellowship to pay for college, you won’t have to worry about paying taxes on that money as long as you are a candidate for a degree at an eligible educational institution and use those funds to pay qualified education expenses.
Are there limits on how much colleges will pay?
Yes, there are limits on how much colleges will pay through financial aid. Federal student loans, grants, and scholarships have annual and lifetime caps. Colleges may also limit institutional aid based on financial need or merit. Students may need to seek additional private loans or funding sources.
SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.
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