Frequently Asked Questions for Military Students

• Can you take online classes while in the military?

  Online colleges give you the flexibility to take classes anywhere you have an internet connection. Online classes, academic resources, and support services are all accessible on your schedule.

• Am I eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill^®'s monthly housing allowance if I attend Purdue Global?

  As of October 1, 2011, eligible veterans who meet certain conditions can receive 50% of the basic housing allowance average. Visit Military Benefits and Financial Aid to learn more.

  GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

• Does the military pay for online college?

  Military education benefits you have earned through your service can be applied toward an online college degree. Military tuition assistance, the Montgomery GI Bill^®, and Post-9/11 GI Bill^® benefits are all options to help you fund a college degree. Outside scholarships and federal financial aid offer additional funding opportunities for servicemembers.

• Is financial assistance available for military?

  Yes. Speak with your base education officer first to see if you qualify for military tuition assistance
  
  Our military tuition rates are designed so that servicemembers and veterans can fund their education using military educational benefits in most cases. The Military Student Service Center can provide additional details about military educational benefits.
  
  If you are not eligible for military benefits, Purdue Global can assist you with other forms of financial assistance available for those who qualify such as Title IV federal financial aid and federal, state, and private lending programs. Visit our Paying For School page to learn more.

• Does Purdue Global accept transfer credits?

  We accept eligible transfer credits that are applicable to your specific program from regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities. Please see the University Catalog for the Transfer of Credit policy.

• Can I receive college credit for military training?

  

  Yes. All military training that has been reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE) and meets the requirements of an undergraduate degree plan may be eligible for transfer credit. In addition, through our PME2Degree program, military occupations are mapped to specific degree programs to help ensure your prior military training transfers into Purdue Global as college credit. Additional opportunities to earn credit, including challenge exams, could bring your degree even closer.

• If I drop a course or withdraw from school, what are my financial obligations?

  Determining the cost, if any, for dropping course will vary based on the following situations:

  • Dropping due to a change in orders or deployment
  • Dropping a course but maintaining enrollment in the University
  • Withdrawing from the University entirely

  Dropping Due to a Change in Orders or Deployment

  If you are an active-duty servicemember, in the National Guard or Reserves, or are a military family member, you may take a military leave of absence for a period of up to 12 months. You may also have the option to renew this status one time for up to a total of 24 months of leave; however, if you exercise this option, you will return to the version of the degree program in effect at the time of your return.

  Dropping a Course but Maintaining Enrollment in the University

  Students who drop a course but continue their studies can drop courses without any financial obligation during the first 7 days of the term. After this, you will be 100% responsible for the cost of the course.

  Withdrawing From the University Entirely

  Please refer to the University Catalog for the Military Students Using Tuition Assistance Refund Chart.

• Is Purdue Global accredited?

  Yes. Purdue Global is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLCommission.org). Learn more about our accreditation and approvals.

• How long will it take me to complete my degree?

  Many military students are awarded college credit for military training, CLEP or DANTES examinations, or previous coursework, and earn their degrees much sooner. Full-time students will generally complete their degree as follows:

  • Associate's degree in approximately 2 years
  • Bachelor's degree in approximately 3.5 years
  • Master's degree in approximately 18 months to 2 years

  See the University Catalog for Transfer of Credit policy.

• How flexible is the class schedule?

  Excluding certain programs, your entire program, including posting assignments, interacting with faculty and classmates, and conducting research, is 100% online. Some courses also have online seminars, which are real-time learning experiences that happen at the same time for all students in a section. Learn more about the online student experience.

  Plan on spending at least 2 to 6 hours per week online in class, and another 3 to 6 hours per week studying offline. Advanced courses worth an increased number of credit hours usually require more study time. Attending a professor's office hours is optional.

  If you have a military obligation that prevents you from attending a live seminar, notify your Education Advisor and professor, and obtain information about alternate assignments.

• Does Purdue Global accept veterans education benefits?

  Yes. Purdue Global is authorized to certify VA benefits.

• Is Purdue Global a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program?

  

  Purdue Global participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which assists eligible students utilizing Post-9/11 GI Bill^® Chapter 33 benefits with tuition and fees that exceed the annual VA benefit cap.

• Are Purdue Global tuition and fees covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill^®?

  The Post-9/11 GI Bill^® provides benefits derived from the highest in-state tuition and fee rate for a public institution in a given state. For online schools, the rate is based on the state in which the school is located, not your state of residence. For students attending Purdue Global, these maximums are based on the state of Florida. Both the tuition costs and term expense maximums in the state of Florida are higher than the costs associated with Purdue Global undergraduate programs.

  For graduate programs, Purdue Global participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Learn more about our Yellow Ribbon Award.

• What are the program costs for graduate programs for servicemembers?

  Purdue Global reduces graduate tuition between 17% and 30%, depending on program of study. Please visit our academic programs page and select your program of interest for more information.

• What are the program costs for graduate programs for military veterans?

  Purdue Global reduces graduate tuition by 14% for military veterans. Please visit our academic programs page and select your program of interest for more information.

• Does Purdue Global have Student Accessibility Services?

  Purdue Global is committed to providing higher education to students with disabilities and to making the online programs, activities, and facilities at the University accessible to students of all abilities.

  All accommodations for students with disabilities are handled via Student Accessibility Services (SAS), a division of the Academic Success Center (ASC).

  Purdue Global makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to students presenting a documented disability. In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the implementing regulations 34 CFR part 104 (barring discrimination on the basis of disability), and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the implementing regulations in 29 CFR part 1630 (1992), Purdue Global has established specific guidelines for students who are enrolled in our online programs and are seeking accommodations.

• What is the AU-ABC Program for Air Force and Space Force?

  The Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC) program is designed to assist Community College of the Air Force graduates who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree to identify potential options, including how many additional credits would be required to complete the program. Please refer to the University Catalog for our Transfer of Credit policy.
  
  Purdue Global participates in the AU-ABC program for the following degrees:

  • Health and wellness
  • Health care administration
  • Health science
  • Nutrition science
• Is Purdue Global part of the Community College of the Air Force's General Education Mobile (GEM)?

  

  Yes—Purdue Global offers a course option(s) within each of the five areas of general education. These can be completed to provide the general education requirements for an associate’s degree through the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). Visit our GEM page to learn more.

• Has Purdue Global evaluated Coast Guard training?

  Yes. We award credit in all of the military branches and we have recently announced special credit for medical occupations in the Coast Guard. Learn more about our PME2Degree^® program, which maps Coast Guard training to specific degree programs.

College Financing Plan (CFP) FAQs

• Why am I receiving a College Financing Plan if I already started the enrollment process to attend Purdue Global?

  The CFP is sent to you prior to being fully enrolled in the University. This allows you time to review the CFP document and determine your best funding option. If this is your first time enrolling as an undergraduate student at Purdue Global, you will take part in the Purdue Global Commitment 3-week trial period.* During this trial, you are not fully admitted to the University nor are you financially obligated for tuition; therefore, no funding offer is created during this period. You will receive the CFP prior to being fully admitted as a student.

  *Classes count toward a degree if satisfactorily completed. No credits are earned if the student withdraws during the introductory period (3 weeks for new qualifying undergraduate students), which begins day one of the first term. Students who choose to continue their studies at Purdue Global will need to meet specific requirements. Graduate programs not included. Additional terms may apply to international and non-U.S. citizen students. For further information, see the University Catalog.

• Is there any action required from me regarding the College Financing Plan once I receive it?

  No. The CFP is sent prior to enrollment for informational purposes only. Once you have enrolled, you should refer to your latest funding offer for details regarding your funding plan.

• What is the Expected Family Contribution listed on the College Financing Plan?

  The Expected Family Contribution is used by your school to calculate the amount of federal student aid you are eligible to receive. It is based on the financial information provided in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college, nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive.

• If I am a military student and only using my military benefits (i.e., tuition assistance, MYCAA, or VA Benefits), I am a cash-paying student, or I do not want to fill out a FAFSA, why am I receiving the College Financing Plan?

  The CFP will be provided to all students identified with a military classification (active duty, veteran, or active-duty spouse) regardless of their method of paying for their education. However, if you are not using any Title IV funds to cover tuition, the CFP will still provide valuable information regarding tuition costs and fees. The CFP will not include your total military benefits, as these will be identified in your funding offer after enrollment.

• Why does the College Financing Plan have items such as housing, meals, books, supplies, and transportation listed as cost of attendance if this is an online university?

  The cost of attendance is an estimated cost of total expenses for all students attending a university regardless of the institution. Even though we are an online university, the cost of attendance components are determined by The Higher Education Act of 1965. These components include direct and indirect expenses that make it possible for a student to attend college. The CFP does not include any military education benefits for students who are military affiliated.

• If I am a military veteran student, how will my GI Bill^® housing allowance be determined?

  Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), also known as the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) for VA purposes, is based on geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. For more information regarding your eligibility for BAH/MAH and amounts, please contact the Veterans Administration (VA) at 888-442-4551.

• How will my scholarship award be calculated into my College Financing Plan?

  Scholarships and grants will not be calculated in the CFP, as this document is an estimate of total costs without considering scholarship. Scholarships and grants will be deducted from the total tuition and fee charges before any additional aid is awarded after courses begin. Scholarships and grants will be calculated in the funding offer after enrolling and starting classes.

• How can I apply for additional grants such as state grants or school grants that are listed on this College Financing Plan?

  To apply for a state grant, you will have to apply directly with your specific state. You can also reach out to your Admissions Advisor to determine if there are any additional scholarships you may qualify for. If you are a military student receiving a discounted tuition rate, you may not be eligible for additional scholarships.

• Is the amount listed as net costs for the entire education at Purdue Global or just for the current Award Year?

  Neither; the amount under net costs is for the current academic year. An academic year is defined as 3 terms.

• Will the College Financing Plan Net Costs consider transfer credit to the University?

  No. The CFP will not take transfer credits into consideration. After enrolling, your funding offer will be provided once financial aid packaging is complete. If an official transfer credit evaluation is completed prior to packaging, this information will be reflected within the funding offer provided by the Student Finance Office. Unofficial priority audit evaluation results are not considered in the CFP or during the financial aid packaging process.

• How can I apply for Federal Work Study?

  If eligible for Federal Work Study (FWS), our Center for Career Advancement will contact you to determine whether you are interested. If interested, our Center for Career Advancement will interview you and help you get ready for the program.

• How will GI Bill^® benefit eligibility and rate of pursuit be incorporated into the College Financing Plan?

  Military benefits are not included in the CFP. After you enroll and once you complete your benefit application and it is processed by the DoD (military component) or the VA, our Student Finance Office will create a customized funding offer based on the availability of funds as it pertains to the type of military benefit expected to be applied towards tuition.

• As a veteran, how will I be able to use concurrent enrollment? How will my College Financing Plan be calculated?

  Military benefits are not included in the CFP. If you are considering applying for concurrent enrollment, please contact our Military Student Finance Group at 877-855-8648 or militaryfinance@support.purdueglobal.edu for further information as it relates to the CFP.

• What if I am a spouse or dependent with approved Chapter 33 Transferability of Education Benefits? How will my College Financing Plan be calculated?

  Military benefits are not included on the CFP. The “Military and/or National Service benefits” referenced under “Other Options” of the CFP pertain to benefits you may be eligible to receive. All approved entitlements will be listed in your official funding offer after enrollment.

• How do I know how much I am eligible for in loans?

  Loan amounts differ based on your grade level and eligibility. Please reference the “Loan Options” section of the CFP or reference the maximum annual and total loan limits chart for subsidized and unsubsidized loans available on Federal Student Aid.

• How can I apply for the Federal Perkins Loan?

  Purdue Global does not participate in the Federal Perkins Loan program.

• How can I learn about repaying my loans?

  Please see the “Repaying Your Loans” section of the CFP. It will lead you to information that can help you understand loan repayment. Loans are repaid with interest, including Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Parent PLUS loans. For more information about repaying loans, go to StudentAid.gov.

• If I would like to borrow more money than my net costs, am I able to do this?

  After enrolling in school and completing all required funding documents, you will be packaged up to your cost of attendance. You cannot be packaged in excess of your cost of attendance.

• What if I no longer want to receive loans?

  If you originally completed a Master Promissory Note with Direct Loans and no longer wish to receive loans, you can send an email to fastudentsupport@support.purdueglobal.edu (nonmilitary students) or militaryfinance@support.purdueglobal.edu (military students). If you already received loans that you do not want, you have the option to return those funds to your lender. Purdue Global will not refund loans that have already been paid to your account.