8 Of The Best Tuition-Free Colleges for Single Moms

Last Updated on January 23, 2024 by Lori Pace

Do you want to get a degree, but you’re worried about the cost? Single mothers that dream of studying but can’t afford the tuition can consider one of the excellent free colleges on our list. In the US, there are tuition-free colleges that offer plenty of different courses.

Wait, what do we mean, a free college? I know it sounds too good to be true, but they exist. You don’t have to pay for tuition, but you might get to “pay” in other ways.

How Does Free Online Schools Work?

Many of these colleges have work-study programs to help you cover your tuition – you only need to settle your college supplies, books, and tuition waivers. Also, by participating in their work-study programs, you can gain valuable experience while studying.

We know this sounds exciting, and it is, but please keep in mind that there are many scammers on the internet, so please don’t trust any unsolicited website offering free tuition. We’ve made you a list of 8 valuable college experiences that may be worth a shot if you’re a single mom.

8 Free Colleges for Single Mothers

1. College of the Ozarks 

If you’re a student in Point Lookout, Missouri, the College of the Ozarks is just the college for you. Since 1906 this college has provided the advantages of Christian education to students. There are more than 1,500 undergraduate degrees with almost 30 majors.

Other benefits include:

  • They offer pre-professional programs for students.
  • As a student, you can participate in their on-campus work program – you only have to work 15 hours per week and two forty-hour work weeks per school year. 
  • You get credit from the work program that helps you qualify for state aid.
  • You don’t need any student loans, and you don’t need cash to pay for the tuition.

2. Deep Springs College

The Deep Springs College in California has a long history of giving students a distinctive learning experience. There are plenty of associate degrees available to students who later earn a bachelor’s degree. The college also offers a scholarship to students that includes tuition and housing. 

What do you need to do? 

It would help if you showed that you are committed to making the world a better place. Deep Springs College also includes students in the on-campus labor – this has formed the keystone of their education system. 

It has also helped many students like you meet the costs of this free college. 

3. Cornell University

Did you ever think you couldn’t afford to study at Cornell UniversityNow you can. Cornell is offering full-ride scholarships to students from middle and lower-middle-income families. 

However, you have to come from a family that earns under $60,000 every year to qualify for this scholarship. 

4. Barclay College 

If you’re a student who is also a single mom in Haviland, Kansas, then you’re in luck because you can enroll for a scholarship at Barclay CollegeThe four-year college offers more scholarships to residential students, and you could be one of more than 200 students who take part in their undergraduate and graduate programs. 

Once they accept you, you can automatically apply for a $15,000 scholarship. This scholarship means you can receive the benefits of an excellent Christian education that has been around for more than 100 years.

5. Berea College

In Kentucky, the private college Berea College offers more than 20 fields of study. You could be one of the thousands of students from all over the country that could be part of the college’s Tuition Promise Scholarship. 

You could get a scholarship worth $100,000 for more than 4 years and graduate debt-free through this generous program. Berea is the only one of America’s top colleges that makes a no-tuition promise to every enrolled student. Even if students borrow for unique learning opportunities or to replace their family’s total contribution, students will have a low debt compared to national trends.

6. Alice Lloyd College

Are you a student single mom in the 108 counties (5 State) service area of Central Appalachia? Then the Alice Lloyd College might be the right choice. Alice Lloyd is a four-year Christian liberal arts establishment that has spent almost a century providing leadership education to students. 

The college offers completely free tuition to students in this Appalachian region. Also, there are plenty of bachelor’s degrees available. And like many online colleges, students can take part in a work-study program to help meet the school’s costs. 

There might be a small fee for computer fees, but the student work-study program can cover that. 

7. Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, offers degrees in liberal arts and sciences or music or human development. This university provides a range of graduate and professional degrees.

Also, there are need-based financial aid packages for all undergraduate studies! This means that you don’t have to apply for any student loans. Going to Vanderbilt University means that you can graduate without all the hassle of enormous debt from student loans.

8. Webb Institute

Are you looking to get a Bachelor of Science degree in naval architecture and marine engineering? Then the private Webb Institute in Glen Cove, New York, on Long Island could be the perfect choice for you! 

Why choose the Webb Institute?

It’s the only school dedicated to ship-design engineering and systems engineering! On top of that, as a citizen or permanent resident, you get full-tuition scholarships. In the 2017-2018 academic year, it was valued at $48,350.

As a bonus, there’s also a need-based aid to cover any extra costs of being enrolled. This is a truly unique program! However, Webb Institute enrolls just 80 students and is considered among the best engineering schools in the nation.

A Final Note About Free Colleges For Single Mothers

We hope this article opened your eyes to some alternative options and free colleges, which will help single mothers or aspiring students from low-income families. However, if you’re looking specifically for scholarships for single moms, check out our website.

Lori Pace
Lori Pace

Lori Pace is a single mother of three daughters ages 7 and under. As a working mom from home, she balances kids, work and two crazy dogs with humor and love. Follow Lori as she honestly gives tips and advice based on her own experiences as a single mom!