Table of Contents
It’s no secret that college can be expensive. What’s not-so-widely known is that there are a number of states that offer eligible residents free tuition for both two- and four-year degree programs.
While many of these programs only cover tuition (not room and board and other expenses), they can be a huge help if you are looking for an affordable way to get a college degree. Read on to learn more about how free college programs work, where to find them, and how to fill in any remaining financing gaps.
Key Points
• Many states sponsor free college tuition programs to assist eligible residents with the cost of higher education.
• Eligibility criteria often include residency, financial need, and academic performance.
• Many programs cover tuition but not fees, books, housing, food, or transportation.
• Free tuition programs are typically set up as “last-dollar” scholarships.
• Alternative financing options are available for nonqualifying students.
What Are Free College Tuition Programs?
Free college tuition programs are typically state-sponsored programs that offer free tuition to eligible students. To qualify, you typically need to be a resident of the state and, in some cases, demonstrate financial need. Some states will also award free tuition to students that come from communities that are underrepresented in college attendance or who are first generation college students.
Free tuition programs are often set up as “last-dollar” programs, meaning they cover the “last dollars” needed to pay for college after all other financial aid, including grants and scholarships, has been applied. The idea is to bridge the gap between actual education costs and what a student has already received in aid.
However, it’s important to point out that many tuition-free programs only cover the cost of tuition. As a result, you may still have other expenses to cover, including fees, supplies, and room and board. In some cases, a free college tuition program will cover school fees or provide stipends for necessary expenses like textbooks.
đź’ˇ Quick Tip: You can fund your education with a competitive-rate, no-fees-required private student loan that covers up to 100% of school-certified costs.
States With Free College Tuition
What follows is a roundup of states that offer free or reduced tuition to two-year, four-year, and/or certificate programs.
California Promise Program
The California College Promise Grant waives fees for nearly half of students in the California Community College system , while others only need to pay a $46-per-unit fee. For example, if you’re a California resident enrolling in 12 units, you would pay $552 each semester. Students that live out of state pay more.
Indiana 21st Century Scholars Program
The 21st Century Scholars Program encourages Indiana students in the 7th and 8th grade to stay in school and keep up their grades by promising them money for college if they meet program requirements.
Oklahoma’s Promise
Oklahoma’s Promise pays tuition at public colleges and universities for eligible students. It will also pay a portion of tuition at accredited private colleges and universities. To qualify, students must enroll in the program in 8th, 9th, 10th or 11th grade and their parents’ federal adjusted gross income can’t exceed $60,000 (with one or two dependent children) or $70,000 (with three or four dependent children).
New York Excelsior Scholarship
Through the Excelsior Scholarship, New York students from families earning $125,000 or less can attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free
Washington College Bound
In the state of Washington, students can apply to participate in the College Bound scholarship program, which gives eligible free students public college tuition, or an equivalent amount for an approved private college or career school. Students must apply for financial aid and attend a participating college in Washington.
Recommended: In-State Tuition: a Look at Establishing Residency
Arkansas Future Grant
The Arkansas Future (ArFuture) grant covers the cost of tuition and fees for certain certificate and associate degree programs at public education institutions in Arkansas.
Delaware SEED Program
The Delaware SEED Program gives scholarships to Delawareans of all ages who would like to pursue an academic degree (including an associate or bachelor’s degree) or a workforce training certificate at Delaware Tech.
Hawai’i Promise Scholarship
The Hawai’i Promise Scholarship provides free in-state tuition to students with financial needs who attend the University of Hawai’i Community College. This program covers direct education costs including tuition, books, supplies, transportation, and school fees.
Kentucky Work Ready Scholarship Program
The Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program assists Kentucky residents who want to pursue a certificate or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree by covering the remaining cost of tuition after other financial aid has been applied.
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship
The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship offers eligible students who enroll at a Maryland community college up to $5,000 to cover any tuition costs and fees that remain after Federal or State financial aid has been applied.
Missouri A+ Scholarship
Missouri students who maintain a 95% attendance record and provide 50 hours of unpaid tutoring/mentoring may qualify for the Missouri A+ Scholarship. This program covers any gap between financial aid and the tuition and fees for community or technical college.
Montana Promise Act
The Montana Promise Grant is a state program that covers the cost of community, tribal college, or state college for two years. To be eligible, you must be a high school graduate who earned a 2.5 GPA or higher and has lived in Montana for at least a year.
Recommended: What Is the Cost of Attendance in College?
Nevada Promise Scholarship
The Nevada Promise Scholarship helps Nevada high school graduates go to community college virtually tuition-free. The grant covers up to three years of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by other forms of gift aid.
The Oregon Promise Grant
The Oregon Promise Grant is designed to make community college more affordable for recent high school graduates and GED recipients in Oregon. For eligible students, the grant covers remaining tuition amounts after other gift aid has been applied.
Recommended: What Are College Tuition Payment Plans and How Do They Work?
Rhode Island Promise
The Rhode Island Promise program allows recent Rhode Island high school graduates to obtain an associate degree at the Community College of Rhode Island tuition-free.
Tennessee Promise
For eligible students, the Tennessee Promise program covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by other gift aid. The money can be used at any of the state’s community colleges, colleges of applied technology, and other institutions that offer an associate degree program.
Finding Ways to Pay for College
Free tuition programs may not be available to all students. In that case, paying for college may require compiling together a few different sources of financing.
Students can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) each year to apply for federal aid, including scholarships, grants, federal student loans, and work-study programs. The FAFSA is also used by states to determine eligibility for their own scholarship and grant programs.
If you don’t receive enough financial aid to cover your funding needs, you may want to explore student loans. It’s generally recommended to exhaust federal student loans before turning to private student loans. Federal student loans typically have lower, fixed interest rates and offer more flexible repayment plans, including income-driven repayment. They also offer borrower protections, such as deferment and forbearance.
However, federal student loans don’t fully cover the cost of attendance for many students, and some students may consider tapping into private student loans as well.
Unlike federal student loans, which are issued by the U.S. government, private loans come from private institutions, such as banks, credit unions, and online lenders. While private student loans may cost more than some federal student loans, you can often borrow up to the total cost of attendance (including room and board), which gives you more borrowing power than you can get with the federal government.
đź’ˇ Quick Tip: Would-be borrowers will want to understand the different types of student loans that are available: private student loans, federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, Direct PLUS loans, and more.
The Takeaway
Some states offer free tuition programs that provide residents with resources to help cover their tuition costs. For those that qualify, these programs can provide much-needed financing to help them pursue their education goals.
Sometimes, state and federal aid isn’t enough to cover a student’s college costs. In that case, some students explore private student loans. Though these loans may lack some of the borrower protections available for federal student loans, they can be an option for filling in funding gaps. When shopping for private student loans, it can be helpful to compare potential interest rates and fees with different lenders to find the best deal.
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
Which state gives free college tuition?
Several states offer tuition-free college programs, but eligibility requirements vary. For example, New York’s Excelsior Scholarship offers free tuition at public colleges for families meeting income requirements. Tennessee’s “Tennessee Promise” offers free community college to high school graduates. A number of other states offer similar programs. However, most of these scholarship programs cover only tuition — not housing, books, or fees.
How many US states offer free community college?
Roughly, 35 states currently offer tuition-free associate degrees. These programs typically cover tuition for in-state residents, though they may require meeting income thresholds, applying for federal aid first, and/or maintaining certain academic standards. Also keep in mind that these programs typically only cover tuition, not books, lab fees, housing, food, or transportation.
Is education free in every state?
Higher education — such as community colleges and state universities — is not universally free. While many states have introduced tuition-free or reduced-cost programs, these are not available everywhere and often come with eligibility rules. Also, students still typically pay additional expenses like housing, food, books, transportation, and activity fees, even when tuition is covered.
About the author
Jacqueline DeMarco
Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer who specializes in financial topics. Her first job out of college was in the financial industry, and it was there she gained a passion for helping others understand tricky financial topics. Read full bio.
Photo credit: iStock/Vimvertigo
SoFi Private Student Loans
Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa, and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. This information is current as of 4/22/2025 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).
SoFi Bank, N.A. and its lending products are not endorsed by or directly affiliated with any college or university unless otherwise disclosed.
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. We encourage you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
SOISL-Q325-126