Introduction
Two-year and four-year state programs are available at no cost, thanks to several different initiatives. However, just because K-12 is free doesn't mean that higher education is, too. States with free college programs do not mean students do not have to pay for other expenses, such as food, housing, and transportation. There are financial aid options like work-study, grants, and scholarships. Student loans can be used for these and other education-related costs. Apply for all federal student loans through the FAFSA before considering private student loans, which often have higher interest rates and fewer benefits for borrowers. It will help if you compare loan options before committing to one. This article compiles a list of all the US states with free college tuition programs for residents. The State provides all these programs at no cost to the student.
Free College Programs in New Jersey and Other States
New Jersey
Opportunity Grant recipients must be residents of New Jersey, registered in at least six credits, and have an annual income of less than $65,000. The community college scholarship will cover the total cost of attendance at any of New Jersey's 18 county-state universities.
Hawaii
Students who qualify for the Hawaii Promise Scholarship from the University of Hawaii Community College receive free in-state tuition, making this a last-dollar program. We will pay for your education, fees, books, supplies, and transportation to and from school if you are eligible for this scholarship.
Arkansas
Students enrolled in approved certificate, and Associate degree programs at public institutions in Arkansas are eligible to receive a full scholarship called the Arkansas Future Grant. It's first come, first served for the freebie. Students in regionally high-demand fields of study or those in the STEM fields are prioritized.
California
Students from low-income families can get full or partial tuition scholarships through the California Promise Program to attend a public university or community college in California. The program only allows for a one-year tuition waiver.
Delaware
The program is designed for the final academic year of high school seniors and begins in the fall semester after graduation. It pays for school expenses once other forms of aid have been subtracted. There is no provision for the cost of fees or textbooks. Students must finish each school year with a cumulative SEED GPA of 2.5 or above.
Kentucky
Students participating in this program must enroll at a postsecondary school that meets program requirements and pursue an approved program leading to a certificate, diploma, or AAS degree in a high-demand workforce area. The healthcare, high-tech manufacturing, logistics, business services, information technology, and building construction industries are all eligible for 2019-2020.
Maryland
Funding of up to $5,000 is available to eligible students toward the cost of attending a two-year college, a recognized apprentice program, or a series of credit or non-credit programs leading to licensing or certification. Maryland Community Scholarship Program awardees must commit to working full-time in Maryland within a year after receiving their associate degree, credit-bearing vocational certificate, or credit-bearing certificate. Each year a recipient receives the award, they must commit to working full-time in the State of Maryland. If the recipient finds work in the State within the required time frame, the prize will be turned into a debt that must be repaid to the State.
Minnesota
Students at MnSCU's two-year colleges can apply for this last-dollar initiative to help them finish their degrees and enter a high-demand field. After subtracting the beneficiary's Federal Pell Grant and Minnesota State Grant from the total tuition and mandatory fee charges, the award will cover the balance. Program-specific expenses, such as registration fees and necessary tools, are not included. You can use the prize to cover up to 72 semester study hours, so long as those hours are directly related to your occupational program of choice.
Indiana
Two years of a certificate program at Ivy Tech College or Vincennes University are fully funded by the Workforce Ready Grant in Indiana. Residents of Indiana who do not already have a bachelor's degree and who enroll in a program in one of the State's five highest-demand industries are eligible to receive a full tuition scholarship to attend an Indiana community college.
Conclusion
It may be worth the time and effort to investigate your options if you're interested in states with programs that give free college tuition. The money you save on tuition can help you for the rest of your life, even if you have to borrow money for housing, books, and other necessities to make it to graduation day. You can save money on higher education by considering alternative options like community college or a vocational program. To help pay for college, you can take on a part-time job or look into financial aid opportunities.
