Some colleges have generous donations and huge endowments committed to keeping the cost of education to the absolute minimum. If you’re fortunate enough to gain admittance to one of these schools (which is NOT easy), 100% of tuition costs are waived for all admitted students. In most cases, the student may qualify for grants or scholarships that also cover costs like books, transportation, meals, or dormitories.
As expected, admission to these colleges is extremely competitive. Many also require years of service during or following graduation (usually paid) but you’ll want to inquire about if there are any obligations expected.
2-Year Colleges (tuition-free)
Deep Springs College
Deep Springs Ranch Rd., Highway 168, Big Pine, CA 89010
(760) 872–2000
http://www.deepsprings.edu
Type: Private Junior College (males under age 25 only)
Accreditation: Regional
Religious affiliation: No
U.S. News & World Report National Rank: Unranked
Regular admissions: 2-stage application process. Stage 1 requires
SAT or ACT and 3 essays. Stage 2 applicants submit additional essays and letters of reference
Homeschool admissions: No difference
SAT requirement: upper 700’s
ACT requirement: upper 30’s
Acceptance rate: 5–15% (11 to 15 students accepted yearly)
Acceptance category: Competitive to exceptionally competitive
CLEP acceptance policy: No
AP acceptance policy: No
Transfer credit acceptance policy: Not accepted
Housing: Yes
Co-ed housing: No
Athletic programs: No
Free undergraduate options: Campus Associates of Arts degree
Free distance learning: No
What’s free? 100% tuition, room, board, and meal plan
What’s not? Books
Eligibility: 100% of accepted students
Service requirement: Labor is a pillar of the program. All students work 20 hours per week in service to the college’s orchard, garden, farm, or cattle ranch.
Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades
106 S. New Middletown Rd., Media, PA 19063
(610) 566–1776
http://www.williamson.edu
Type: Private Junior College (males only)
Accreditation: Not regionally accredited but accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Religious affiliation: Christian
U.S. News & World Report National Rank: Unranked
Regular admissions: Single males without children not yet 20 years old. High School diploma or GED required. Letters of reference optional.
Homeschool admissions: No difference
SAT requirement: No, but ASVAB test is required
ACT requirement: No
Acceptance rate: 25%
Acceptance category: Competitive
CLEP acceptance policy: No
AP acceptance policy: No
Transfer credit acceptance policy: No
Housing: Yes
Co-ed housing: No
Athletic programs: Yes
Free undergraduate options: Campus diploma or associate degree. 6 majors
Free distance learning: No
What’s free? 100% tuition, room, board, meal plan, and books
What’s not? Tools
Eligibility: All students
Service requirement: Classes integrate service opportunities in the curriculum
Eastern Gateway Community College If you, your spouse, or a grandparent are members of a union, you may qualify for a free associate degree (online or in-person) at Eastern Gateway Community College in Ohio. Read more. Note that this college DOES charge tuition for everyone else.
4-Year Colleges (tuition-free)
Sterling College
http://www.sterlingcollege.edu
Craftsbury Common, VT 05827
(802) 586-7711
The Wendell Berry Farming Program of Sterling College is a two-year program, based in Henry County, Kentucky, through which students earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Sterling College. ONLY THIS DEGREE IS TUITION-FREE by grant funding and does not apply to the other Sterling College programs. Applicants must have 60 college credits completed prior to application. Preference is given to residents of Kentucky.
Barclay College
607 Kingman Ave., Havilland, KS 67059
(800) 862–0226
http://www.barclaycollege.edu
Type: Private Religious College
Accreditation: Pre-accredited, not regionally accredited
Religious affiliation: Christian, affiliated
U.S. News & World Report National Rank: Unranked
Regular admissions: SAT or ACT required. 2 letters of recommendation and phone interview.
Homeschool admissions: No difference
SAT requirement: 500 minimum or 12 graded transfer credits
ACT requirement: 18 minimum or 12 graded transfer credits
Acceptance rate: 100%
Acceptance category: Open enrollment
CLEP acceptance policy: 32 exams are credit-eligible
AP acceptance policy: Undisclosed
Transfer credit acceptance policy: Transfer credit held until 30 credits are completed in residence
Housing: Yes
Co-ed housing: No
Athletic programs: Yes
Free undergraduate options: Campus-based associate and Bachelor’s degrees, 15 majors
Free distance learning: No
What’s free? 100% tuition, campus-based degrees
What’s not? Living expenses, books, dorm, meal plan.
Eligibility: 100% of accepted students
Service requirement: None
College of the Ozarks
PO Box 17, Point Lookout, MO 65726
(417) 334–6411
https://www.cofo.edu
Type: Private Liberal Arts
Accreditation: Regional
Religious affiliation: Christian
U.S. News & World Report National Rank: #4 (Regional Colleges, Midwest) #1 (Best Undergraduate Teaching)
Regular admissions: Strong preference is given to applicants from the region and demonstrated financial need. Students of alumni are given preference.
Homeschool admissions: No difference
SAT requirement: >950
ACT requirement: >20
Acceptance rate: 9%
Acceptance category: Elite/exceptionally competitive
CLEP acceptance policy: 23 exams are credit-eligible, 30 credit maximum allowance
AP acceptance policy: Any exam score of 4 or better
Transfer credit acceptance policy: An Associate of Arts degree from a regionally accredited college will fill general education requirements. A cap of 5 dual-enrolled courses may be accepted.
Housing: Required
Co-ed housing: No
Athletic programs: Yes
Free undergraduate options: Campus Bachelor’s only, 42 majors
Free distance learning: No
What’s free? Tuition
What’s not? Living expenses, books, and dorm. Dorm/meal plan $6,500 per year.
Eligibility: 100% of accepted students are eligible
Service requirement: 15-hours per week plus two 40-hour weeks
Curtis Institute of Music
1726 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 893–5252
http://www.curtis.edu
Type: Private Performing Arts College
Accreditation: Regional
Religious affiliation: No
U.S. News & World Report National Rank: Unranked
Regular admissions: Audition and SAT scores
Homeschool admissions: No difference
SAT requirement: Yes
ACT requirement: No
Acceptance rate: 5%
Acceptance category: Elite/exceptionally competitive
CLEP acceptance policy: No
AP acceptance policy: Credit for a score of 4 or better
Transfer credit acceptance policy: No
Housing: Yes
Co-ed housing: Yes
Athletic programs: No
Free undergraduate options: Campus Bachelor’s or masters, 12
majors
Free distance learning: No
What’s free? 100% tuition
What’s not? Living expenses, books, and dorm
Eligibility: 100% of students receive free tuition. Income eligibility
for living expenses
Service requirement: Music lab/orchestra
The United States Air Force Academy
HQ USAFA/RRS, 2304 Cadet Dr., USAF Academy, CO 80840
(800) 443–9266
http://www.usafa.af.mil
Type: Military Academy
Accreditation: Regional
Religious affiliation: No
U.S. News & World Report National Rank: #27 (National) #5 (Undergraduate Engineering) #62 (Undergraduate Business)
Regular admissions: At least 17 but not 23 years of age, unmarried, no dependents, SAT or ACT, interview, High School Diploma or GED. Applicant must also obtain a nomination from a U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative, the Vice President of the U.S., the President of the United States, or another specialized category.
Homeschool admissions: Full criteria outlined in “Advice to Homeschool Applicants” Air Force booklet.
SAT requirement: mid to high 600’s
ACT requirement: 30
Acceptance rate: 15.4%
Acceptance category: Competitive
CLEP acceptance policy: No
AP acceptance policy: Score of 4 or more
Transfer credit acceptance policy: Considered
Housing: Yes
Co-ed housing: Yes
Athletic programs: Yes
Free undergraduate options: Campus Bachelor’s only, 27 majors
Free distance learning: No
What’s free? 100% tuition, room, board, meal plan, and books.
Cadets earn monthly pay.
What’s not? NA
Eligibility: All students
Service requirement: Upon graduation, serve as a commissioned officer in the Air Force for at least 8 years. 10 years for pilots.
The United States Coast Guard Academy
31 Mohegan Ave., New London, CT 06320
(800) 883–8724
http://www.cga.edu
Type: Military Academy
Accreditation: Regional
Religious affiliation: No
U.S. News & World Report National Rank: #1 (Regional) #12 (Undergraduate Engineering)
Regular admissions: At least 17 but not 23 years of age, SAT or ACT, High School Diploma or GED. Physical health and fitness standards required. A special nomination is not required.
Homeschool admissions: No difference, community college coursework suggested
SAT requirement: No minimum. >1100 combined suggested
ACT requirement: No minimum. >24 suggested
Acceptance rate: 16.5%
Acceptance category: Competitive
CLEP acceptance policy: No
AP acceptance policy: No
Transfer credit acceptance policy: Yes. Credit granted does not reduce the length of curriculum
Housing: Yes
Co-ed housing: Yes
Athletic programs: Yes
Free undergraduate options: Campus Bachelor’s only, 13 majors
Free distance learning: No
What’s free? 100% tuition, room, board, meal plan, and books.
Cadets earn monthly pay.
What’s not? NA
Eligibility: All students
Service requirement: Upon graduation, commissioned ensigns are obligated to serve at least 5 years.
United States Merchant Marine Academy
300 Steamboat Rd., Great Neck, NY 11024
(516) 773–5258
http://www.usmma.edu
Type: Military Academy
Accreditation: Regional
Religious affiliation: No
U.S. News & World Report National Rank: #3 (Regional) #29 (Undergraduate Engineering)
Regular admissions: At least 17 but not 23 years of age, unmarried, no dependents, SAT or ACT, interview, High School Diploma or
GED. Applicant must also obtain a nomination from a U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative from the applicant’s state of residence. Physical health and fitness standards required.
Homeschool admissions: No difference
SAT requirement: >560
ACT requirement: >24
Acceptance rate: 18.2%
Acceptance category: Competitive
CLEP acceptance policy: No
AP acceptance policy: No
Transfer credit acceptance policy: No
Housing: Yes
Co-ed housing: Yes
Athletic programs: Yes
Free undergraduate options: Campus Bachelor’s only, 5 majors
Free distance learning: No
What’s free? 100% tuition, room, board, meal plan, and books
What’s not? NA
Eligibility: All students
Service requirement: Graduates can choose to work 5 years in the U.S. maritime industry with 8 years of service as an officer in any reserve unit of the armed forces or 5 years active duty in any of the nation’s armed forces.
United States Military Academy
West Point, NY
(845) 938–4011
http://www.usma.edu
Type: Military Academy
Accreditation: Regional
Religious affiliation: No
U.S. News & World Report National Rank: #24 (National)
Regular admissions: At least 17 but not 22 years of age, unmarried, no dependents, SAT or ACT, interview, High School Diploma or GED. Applicant must also obtain a nomination from a U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative, the Vice President of the U.S., or the President of the United States. Fitness standards required.
Homeschool admissions: No difference
SAT requirement: >600
ACT requirement: >25
Acceptance rate: 9%
Acceptance category: Elite/exceptionally competitive
CLEP acceptance policy: No
AP acceptance policy: No
Transfer credit acceptance policy: No
Housing: Yes
Co-ed housing: Yes
Athletic programs: Yes
Free undergraduate options: Campus Bachelor’s only, 36 majors
Free distance learning: No
What’s free? 100% tuition, room, board, meal plan, and books.
Cadets earn monthly pay.
What’s not? NA
Eligibility: All students
Service requirement: Upon graduation, you will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army and serve for five years on active duty (if you choose to depart the Army after five years, you will be required to serve three years in the Inactive Ready Reserve).
United States Naval Academy
121 Blake Rd., Annapolis, MD 21402
(410) 293–1000
http://www.usna.edu
Type: Military Academy
Accreditation: Regional
Religious affiliation: No
U.S. News & World Report National Rank: #13 (National) #6 (Undergraduate Engineering)
Regular admissions: At least 17 but not 23 years of age, unmarried, no dependents, SAT or ACT, interview, High School Diploma
or GED. Applicant must also obtain a nomination from a U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative, the Vice President of the U.S., or the President of the United States. Physical health and fitness standards required.
Homeschool admissions: Detailed curriculum descriptions required
SAT requirement: mid 600’s
ACT requirement: high 20’s
Acceptance rate: 7.4%
Acceptance category: Elite/exceptionally competitive
CLEP acceptance policy: No
AP acceptance policy: Score of 4 or more
Transfer credit acceptance policy: No
Housing: Yes
Co-ed housing: Yes
Athletic programs: Yes
Free undergraduate options: Campus Bachelor’s only, 26 majors
Free distance learning: No
What’s free? 100% tuition, room, board, meal plan, and books.
Cadets earn monthly pay.
What’s not? NA
Eligibility: All students
Service requirement: 5 years active duty service required.
Webb Institute
298 Crescent Beach Rd., Glen Cove, NY 11542
(516) 671–2213
http://www.webb.edu
Type: Private Engineering College
Accreditation: Regional
Religious affiliation: No
U.S. News & World Report National Rank: #63 (Undergraduate Engineering)
Regular admissions: SAT or ACT, SAT II, specific high school curriculum including calculus. Physical health and fitness standards required.
Homeschool admissions: No difference
SAT requirement: mid to high 600’s
ACT requirement: high 20’s
Acceptance rate: 29.5%
Acceptance category: Competitive
CLEP acceptance policy: No
AP acceptance policy: No
Transfer credit acceptance policy: No
Housing: Yes
Co-ed housing: No
Athletic programs: Yes
Free undergraduate options: Campus Bachelor’s only, 1 major Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Free distance learning: No
What’s free? 100% tuition
What’s not? Room and board $14,500
Eligibility: All students
Service requirement: No
This content is reprinted from Chapter 9 of Homeschooling for College Credit 2nd Edition.
