Online master’s degrees are becoming more and more popular every year; one of the contributing factors to this is the cost. With an online program, your tuition simply covers your education, unlike at a traditional campus college where some of that money goes toward building maintenance and student activities. Just because online masters degree programs are less expensive, however, doesn’t mean that they’re free, and while you get your degree, you may have to degree the number of hours you work or quit your job completely to have time for the classes, meaning that you’ll be dealing with a smaller household income. The best way to combat these costs is with financial aid, starting with scholarships.

Scholarships are a form of financial aid that you don’t have to repay when you graduate (unlike student loans). They’re typically based on merit and talents, and some require you to submit an essay into a competition. If you’ve already gone for your undergraduate degree, you probably know that scholarships can come from a variety of sources, including the government, private organizations, and your college. When you get your master’s degree online, that holds true as well.

For graduate students, many organizations call their scholarships “fellowships.” In many cases, there are slightly more difficult application guidelines for fellowships, but they’re available for your education whether you go to school online or offline. You can find scholarships and fellowships to match your specific program, or you can find general funds that are available to students regardless of field of study. Some of the private organizations that offer scholarships and fellowships for master’s degree candidates include the following:

• Alpah Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation
• American Institute of Physics
• Committee on Institutional Cooperation
• Council of Graduate Schools
• Guggenheim Foundation
• Institute for Humane Studies
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
• Morris K. Udall Fellowship Program
• The National Academy
• National Science Foundation
• Quentin N. Burdick Program
• Roller Penhellenic Scholarship
• Scholarly Societies Project
• Social Science Research Council
• Woodrow Wilson Center
• Zonta International

Of course, this isn’t by far an exhaustive list. Start by looking for general scholarships, as are many of those listed above, and then move on to more specialized scholarships for students in your field.

Don’t forget to talk to your school’s financial aid department. Yes, even online programs should have student services, such as a financial aid department. Often times, these staff members can point you toward scholarships that aren’t highly publicized, and they can also tell you about opportunities available directly from the school.

The fact that you’re attending an online program for your master’s degree shouldn’t matter to any organization offering a scholarship, as long as your program is accredited. When a school is accredited, it means that it has gone through a process to confirm that the program has rigorous academic standards comparable to any other accredited college’s program. Some organizations specify that their scholarships can only be used at traditional schools, but most are willing to work with all students. When in doubt, contact the organization before you apply.

With all of the competition in today's workforce, having a bachelor's degree often times won't cut it. For those looking for better job placements and more opportunities in their career fields, consider embarking on an academic journey toward achieving a master's degree. Below are the top online universities that offer such graduate degree programs.

	Capella University — Capella University was founded with the busy working adult professional in mind. More than 23,000 students who have taken Capella programs have profited from their online education. Capella offers degree programs in criminal justice, healthcare, nursing, education, teaching, information technology, business, and retail management.
	Boston University — Boston University is proud to state that they have been open to admission for both sexes and every race and religion since its opening in 1839. In fact, Martin Luther King, Jr. is an alumnus of this university. BU Online offers degree programs in education, business, project maangement, health communication, physical theraphy, occupational therapy, IT, and more.
	Walden University — Walden University's mission is built on their vision that the 21st century will bring different challenges to learning, whereby graduates' knowledge will be judged by the degree to which it can be applied to solving societal problems and advancing the greater good. Walden offers programs in business, IT, education/teaching, health, nursing, science, criminal justice.
	Liberty University — Well-known as one of the top evangelical Christian online universities, Liberty was founded in 1971 by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell. Master's degree programs are offered in the following subjects: numerous theological subjects, business, teaching, human services, and counseling.
	Kaplan University — Headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, Kaplan University offers online and campus-based master's degree-level programs of study in the following subjects: business, IT, education, healthcare, nursing, and criminal justice.
	University of Phoenix — With a reputation for being the largest online college in the world, the University of Phoenix has top-notch faculty and curriculum that are designed to get you placed in a job quickly after graduation. Master's degree-level programs of study are available in: business, IT, healthcare, nursing, psychology, public administration, and criminal justice.
	Ashford University — Ashford University is built on a rich tradition of academic history. Founded in 1918, Ashford University is one of the most afforable and flexible online colleges you'll find. Master's degrees are offered in: business, education, healthcare, and public administration.
	Strayer University — Strayer University offers numerous master's degree level programs in its business schools, including accounting, acquisition, finance, human resource management, information systems management, international business, management, marketing, professional studies, project management, and hospitality. Non-business master's degrees are offered in information systems, education, health services administration, and public administration.
	Westwood College — Westwood College Online is headquartered at its Denver North Campus and offers degree programs in fashion merchandising, interior design, visual communications, business, IT, healthcare, criminal justice, and much more.
	Argosy University — Founded in 2001 after the merger of three different institutions, Argosy offers online degrees in business, health/medicine, criminal justice, psychology, and liberal arts.
	Grand Canyon University — Grand Canyon University offers an academically challenging education to its students in a Christian community. Multiple degree programs are offered in subjects such as liberal arts, Christian studies, business, finance, accounting, marketing, education/teaching, sociology, criminal justice, healthcare, and nursing.
	DeVry University — DeVry University offers its programs entirely online so you can learn from the convenience of your office or home without the burden of having to commute to class at a specified time. DeVry offers one master's degree-level program in electrical engineering.
	Everest University — Everest University was founded with the busy working adult in mind. For those that may not have the time to attend class on a regular basis, Everest offers its classes in a convenient online format. Master's degree subjects of study include: business and criminal justice.
	American InterContinental University — American InterContinental University's mission is to encourage students to learn real-world skills that they can apply to their careers instantly upon graduation. Master's degree subjects include: business, IT, education, and healthcare.
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