Veterans Education & Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
Allied American University has provided a list of commonly-asked questions for our veteran students below. If you don't see what you're looking for and need further assistance, please contact us at (888) 384-0489 to speak with a helpful admissions representative.
How does AAU help veterans?
AAU offers personalized support that is student-centered and designed to help you achieve your goals. Upon enrollment, you are assigned your own Program Success Advocate (PSA) to guide you through the program. Whether you choose to start immediately, or need to complete a prior obligation before beginning, AAU offers flexibility with bi-weekly starts. When the time is right for you to begin your education, AAU makes sure your education is ready and available 24/7.
- 100% online education
- 24/7 access
- 8-week courses
- Staff and faculty with prior military experience
- One-on-one support
- Education for emerging markets
What are the benefits of a DETC accredited school?
One of the main goals of a DETC accredited school is to provide effective "military friendly" education solutions for service members and veterans worldwide. Distance education delivers quality academic programs that allow you to advance your academic goals, no matter where you are located.
Some of the benefits of enrolling in a DETC accredited school:
- Courses are offered on a 24/7 basis, allowing you the opportunity to learn and even earn a college degree from almost anywhere in the world without having to set foot on a campus.
- DETC distance learning programs are affordable. In many cases, your entire tuition costs may be covered through various veterans benefit programs when you attend a DETC-accredited school.
- DETC courses and programs are also an excellent fit for students with restricted mobility, disability, geographic limitations and family responsibilities.
As a DETC accredited school, AAU has been examined and found to meet the educational and business ethics standards set by the Accrediting Commission, an independent Commission which has been listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a "nationally recognized accrediting agency."
(Source: DETC)
Does AAU accept Veterans Tuition Assistance?
Yes, AAU accepts veterans tuition assistance to help you further your education. As a United States veteran, you are entitled to receive benefits for the invaluable service you have provided.
You can use your VA benefits to help cover the costs of your education at AAU, but you may have to pay for your tuition up front depending on which VA education benefit you are using. You will be reimbursed directly by your regional VA office. Admission representatives are available to assist you with your tuition benefits and help complete the proper paperwork.
You can get the forms you need from your regional VA office, most active duty military stations, and American embassies worldwide.
The main application form is the VA Application for Benefits (22-1990). Note: if you have used VA benefits at another school, you must submit a completed Request for Change in Program or Place of Training form (22-1995).
You may also apply directly for benefits through a convenient portal called
VONAPP (Veterans On Line Application). Here, you will find VA applications forms and information for the various education benefits available to you, and apply for them online.
How do I get the Tuition Assistance process started?
Your first step is to call us at 888-384-0849; you'll be contacted by an admissions representative to guide you through your Tuition Assistance paperwork. We'll take you step-by-step through the process, helping you submit the correct paperwork to your VA education office.
Can I receive credit for my military training and education?
Yes. To do so, you must provide official transcripts to AAU so that we can properly evaluate your previous military training and education.
AAU will accept credits earned from: AARTS, CCAF, SMART, CGI, Allied Business Schools and other colleges or universities. Additionally, AAU will consider accepting credits earned from: PEP, AP, CLEP, DSST, and industry and military certifications.
AAU's registrar will carefully evaluate your transcripts to determine credits that may be applied toward your degree plan.
How much credit can I receive for my military training and education?
AAU students can receive up to 75% credit for your military training or previous education. This provides a jumpstart on your associate or bachelor's degree through AAU.
Associate degrees require the completion of at least 60 credit hours; bachelor's degrees require the completion of at least 120 credit hours. By applying your military training and previous education to AAU, you can accelerate the amount of time it takes to complete your degree.
How do I transfer my military training or education credits?
To transfer your credits, complete your application requirements with an admissions representative and submit your transcripts directly from the institution or military branch where the credit was earned. To facilitate credit evaluation in the interim, an unofficial transcript may be used. However, official transcripts must be submitted before the end of the first semester.
AAU uses the AutoDP credit evaluation system to determine transferable credits. AAU determines the applicable traditional and non-traditional college credits, such as national college credit-by-examinations, CLEP and DSST.
An assessment will be based off your official transcript, generating a listing of all the transferable coursework or experience. This assessment is used to generate a formal Degree Plan. Click here to learn more about
military transcripts.
What is the veterans tuition rate?
At AAU, the veterans tuition rate is $250 per semester hour, or $750 per three-credit course (if veterans tuition assistance applies). There are no hidden costs - AAU does not charge extra for transcript evaluation, application, technology, graduation, and other typical university costs. Additionally, a Textbook Grant covers the cost of textbooks. In fact, for active-duty and veteran students, textbooks and course materials are provided by the AAU textbook grant program.
If you have accrued a VA debt due to overpayment the VA Debt Management Center will send you a written notification of the debt in the form of a debt letter. You will need to contact the Debt Management Center with the information provided on the letter you received. If you have not received a debt letter from the VA you can call the VA education benefit office at 888-442-4551.
If you believe you are not receiving the correct amount of VA education benefit money each month you can contact the VA regional processing office at 888-442-4551 to get a detail of the payment breakdown.
You will need to update the VA with your correct mailing address. You can call the VA at 888-442-4551 to find out how to update your address with the VA.
Combining VA education benefits and DoD tuition assistance is not always permitted. It can vary case by case. In cases where DoD tuition assistance is being used in conjunction with VA education benefits it is best to call the VA at 888-442-4551 and discuss your situation with a VA education representative.
Generally speaking you are NOT allowed to use VA education benefits while on active duty orders. The school is required to report when a student is using benefits while on active duty. Failure to notify the VA and the school when a soldier using VA education benefits is on active duty can result in overpayments and suspension of benefits.
Generally speaking the VA pays benefits on a monthly basis. In order for a VA education benefit payment to be processed the veteran must verify his/her attendance at the end of each month. The payment should be sent out the second week of the following month. For example, a veteran would verify his/her attendance for the month of July on the last calendar day of July. The payment would be processed and sent out the second week of August.
How much benefit each veteran will receive each month can vary based on the benefit program you are approved for, the contributions you made to the GI Bill fund, whether you signed up for a “kicker†payment, and what percentage level of entitlement the Veteran was approved at. To get a more accurate assessment of how much benefit money you will receive please contact the VA directly at 888-442-4551.
You will want to contact the VA education office at 888-442-4551 to make sure they have your kicker paperwork on file and are aware you are eligible for the kicker. Kicker eligibility is listed in your service contract. You can not get a kicker unless it is in your service contract.
