Do you want to get an associate degree online for free and make your dreams a reality?
Getting an associate degree without giving up your job or home with an online degree is not only possible, but you can also achieve a degree more quickly than you would in a traditional degree program.
Read on to discover how you can enroll in tuition-free accredited associate degree programs and save money on everything from internet data to textbooks.
We will also explain where you can find millions of scholarships you can apply to quickly, even as an online student.
What is an associate degree?
An associate degree is a two-year college degree from a community college or a four-year university.
An associate degree is between a high school diploma and a bachelor’s.
You have a few choices after getting an associate degree. You can go directly into the workforce or choose to continue to a Bachelor’s degree.
You can also earn your associate degree after working for several years; it can be the first step to a new career or help you advance in your current one.
What are the Different Types of Associate Degrees you can get Online?
You can get the same degrees online as at a traditional institution.
Associate degrees are offered in various subject areas, including business, accounting, computer science, engineering, nursing, and more.
There are six different associate degrees that you can earn:
- AA- Associate of Arts
- AS- Associate of Science
- AAA- Associate of Applied Arts
- AAS- Associate of Applied Science
- LLA- Associate of Law
- AED- Associate of Education
Ensure you choose an associate degree that will allow you to transfer the credits toward the bachelor’s you desire.
The A.A. and AS degrees are for people who hope to earn a Bachelor’s, and the Applied Associate is more geared towards going straight into work.
It typically takes two years of full-time study to earn an associate degree. However, some schools offer accelerated programs that can be completed in one year.
Many community colleges also offer evening and weekend classes for students who need to balance their studies with work or other obligations. Online degree programs offer even more flexibility.
What Are the Benefits of an Associate Degree?
There are many benefits to getting a free degree online.
First, you don’t have to worry about paying for tuition or room and board.
You also don’t have to worry about transportation. And since the coursework is online, you can work at your own pace and fit the classes into your schedule.
In addition, there are the usual benefits to pursuing an associate degree, including the following:
1) Increased Earning Potential: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with an associate degree earn 28% more than those with just a high school diploma.
2) Job Security: In today’s economy, job security is more important than ever. An associate degree can help you stay employable by giving you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your chosen field.
3) Flexibility: An associate degree allows you to enter the workforce quickly or transfer to a four-year university to complete your bachelor’s degree.
4) Affordability: Community colleges and technical schools offer affordable tuition rates, making an associate degree one of the most cost-effective ways to earn a college credential.
5) Personal Fulfillment: An associate degree can help you reach your personal and professional goals by giving you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your chosen field.
6) Improved Critical Thinking Skills: Pursuing an associate degree will help you develop strong critical thinking skills that will benefit you professionally and personally.
7) Improved Communication Skills: An associate degree will also help you develop strong communication skills that will benefit you professionally and personally.
Good-paying jobs that only require An Associate Degree
If you decide you want to go straight into work after your two-year degree, there are many careers you can choose from.
Here are five well-paying jobs that don’t require any other experience in the field, along with their average yearly pay.
- Air Traffic Controller- $124,5404
- Radiation Therapists- $80,570
- Nuclear technicians- $80,370
- Diagnostic medical Sonographers- $71,410
- Dental hygienists- $60,840
Transferring from an Associate's Degree to a Bachelor's Degree Program
Transferring credits from a cheaper institution to a more prestigious college to graduate with a better degree is widespread.
To do this, you will have to supply transcripts to the bachelor’s program that you wish to transfer to. It is always a good idea to make sure that the course you want to transfer to accepts credits from your college.
What is the Cost of an Associate Degree?
Fees for colleges can vary widely. However, according to the College Board, the average in-state associate’s degree is around $3,800 per year, while the average in-state bachelor’s degree program is $27,560 per year.
By in-state, we mean in the state you are currently resident in. The fees for attending a public college in another state are always much more than the cost of attending a public college in your state.
Online degrees usually cost about the same as traditional degrees, but it depends on the college.
Online study can allow you to get your degree while you keep your job. However, even with the increased flexibility of an online degree, you still have to cover other expenses.
Other expenses include living expenses, fees, textbooks, a computer, and the internet.
Associate Degree Online Free With no Tuition
One great way to save money on an associate’s degree is to get a free tuition degree. There are only two truly tuition-free accredited degrees available from US Universities.
University of the People
UoPeople is a fully accredited American, tuition-free online University that began in 2009. Many of their students have continued their education at internationally known universities such as UC Berkley and the University of York in the U.K.
UoPeople alumni have obtained jobs at Apple, IBM, and The World Bank, to name a few. In addition, 87% of their graduates are employed.
The University of the People offers Associate Degrees in Business, Health, and IT.
IICSE University
IICSE is 100% online and fully accredited. You can gain an Associate of Arts in International Relations, Sociology, and Theology. They also have an Associate of Education and an Associate of Law available with IICSE.
This university is especially solid in its Associate of Science Programs and offers 17 degrees in this area.
This university focuses on degrees that lead to well-paying work, from an Associate in Accounting to an Associate in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering.
IICSE is dedicated to helping people who could not otherwise access education to succeed. There is a small enrollment and exam fee, but they offer free textbooks.
One of the greatest things about the online associate degree with IICSE is that you can qualify in a year instead of the usual two years.
Getting a Scholarship for an Online Associate Degree Program
Many people think you can’t get a scholarship for an online degree or a community college, but you definitely can!
You can get a scholarship for any accredited program, even free tuition programs. This means you can apply for a scholarship to help with living expenses and any other expenses you may incur while pursuing your free online degree.
Scholarships are free grants that do not need to be paid back, and millions are available! They come from different sources, including private citizens, companies, and universities.
Over 70% of scholarships come from colleges, and you should always check with the financial aid officers of the schools you wish to attend.
Every American student should apply through the Federal student aid application first.
The federal government website states, “Find and apply for as many scholarships as possible—it’s free money for college or career school! Start researching early, meet deadlines, and you may be on your way to scholarship success.“
How To Apply For Scholarships
There are so many available scholarships that could take ages to apply for. Online scholarships allow you to apply to many at the same time.
It is better to use an online scholarship portal to fill out your information once and find all the scholarships you could qualify for in one search.
A scholarship portal is a website that provides information about scholarships, fellowships, and grants that can be easily searched. It may also allow you to apply for scholarships and often provides other college and career information.
Scholarships.com
Scholarships.com offers almost 3 million scholarships on its website. They have an excellent reputation and have provided over $19 billion in grants for tuition-free education since they began.
Scholarships update their offerings every few months and allow you to set up alerts. You have to set up an online account with them, but it is free.
Fastweb
Fastweb has been helping students get a free college degree for more than 16 years. This site is easy to use and very popular. They are great at matching your interests and skills to scholarships.
The more time you spend filling out your profile, the better they will be able to match you to the right scholarship opportunities.
Cappex
Cappex is a great source for reviews of colleges and their courses, and they let you know all the dates you shouldn’t miss. Cappex is free, but like the other services, you do have to register for a free account with them.
One great tool this site has is called “What Are My Chances.” This tool calculates your odds of getting into a college. This allows you to decide where to put your energy and can save time.
Getting Free or Low-Cost Textbooks
One of the expenses you usually can’t avoid, even as a free online degree student, is buying textbooks. We also have some ideas on how to save money on books.
Try Free Textbook Sources First
Many older textbooks and standard textbooks can be found online, and free open-source portals are worth having a look at to see what you can find for free.
Plenty of sites offer downloadable and online PDFs of textbooks that you can read online. Here is one of the better-known sites for open-source textbooks:
Internet Archive Books
Internet Archive Books has been around since 1996, and they have the most extensive free online database of books in English you can find. Unfortunately, some of their books are only available as downloads.
Low-Cost Book Sources for Online Degree Programs
Usually, you can find some of your textbooks for free online. Still, depending on your course, there may be a few or many that you can’t find in these open-source databases.
For harder-to-find books, you should go to low-cost textbook providers to get significantly reduced prices on your textbooks.
Most students spend more than $1000 a year on books alone, so it is worth trying to save some money here.
As well as getting deals on your textbooks and all the scholarships you can, we have a way at EASY Wireless for you to get free unlimited data.
Free Unlimited Data with EASY Wireless
It is easy to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) when you are a student and getting a Pell Grant or are living on lower wages.
When you qualify for the ACP with EASY Wireless, we will give you the following:
EASY Wireless Free Unlimited Plan
- FREE UNLIMITED Data
- FREE Unlimited Talk
- FREE Unlimited Text
- Keep the Phone, You Love
- Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
- FREE SIM Card & Activation
When you are a student, you need a steady and secure internet data source. With EASY Wireless, you will enjoy America’s fastest and most reliable network.
In addition, with unlimited data, you will never have to worry about getting enormous bills for going over your limit.
Get Your Associate Degree Online Free and Achieve Your Dreams
Now you know how to get a tuition-free online degree that will give you the flexibility you need. You can find scholarships to cover everything from tuition to rent. You can even get free unlimited data while you study.
An online degree can not only save you money but can lead to you gaining more satisfaction in your life and career.
From Getting Your GED to a Master's Degree - Our Comprehensive Guide to a FREE Education Online
Did you know you can get a GED up to a Master’s degree online for free? Our complete guide shows you how to get a free education including how to apply for scholarships and grants.
We even cover topics such as how to save money on textbooks and other school essentials.
Take Charge of Your Future, “The Ultimate Guide to Online Classes for Adults: Get a Free Education Online“.
