Grand Canyon University: An Army-Friendly School
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If you need a new career when you separate from the Army or you want to put your spouse through college while you serve, Grand Canyon University makes it easy for Army personnel or their families to enroll in an online degree program. From business to education to health care, Grand Canyon University can help you or your family members get started on the path of higher education. If you're thinking about what to do with your life once your Army career ends, consider preparing for your next career by enrolling in classes at Grand Canyon University. With a number of regionally accredited and respected bachelor's and master's degree programs, Grand Canyon University prepares Army students to excel in today's challenging civilian job market. The faith-based curriculum at Grand Canyon University honors the Christian fundamentals of ethics, moral integrity, accountability and compassion.
Grand Canyon University Educational PhilosophyWith its campus in Phoenix, Arizona, Grand Canyon University was founded shortly after World War II and has since become a leader in online education for military and non-military students alike. If your Army career is nearing its end, or if your spouse wishes to further his or her education while you serve, Grand Canyon University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs that can lead to rewarding careers in:
A number of online degree programs at Grand Canyon University work well with the busy and mobile lifestyles of Army personnel. The College of Education offers 29 graduate and undergraduate degree paths from which students can choose, while the College of Nursing & Health Sciences has 19 graduate and undergraduate programs. The Ken Blanchard College of Business also offers 10 graduate level programs and seven undergraduate options for business- and management-minded students. And there are 16 different academic paths from which to choose at the graduate and undergraduate levels in the College of Liberal Arts. The GCU Educational Experience for Army PersonnelNo matter your interest -- from criminal justice to communications, business administration to accounting -- Grand Canyon University has a program for you. A staff of trained specialists with military backgrounds is available to help guide you every step of the way to a post-Army career. Grand Canyon University's online courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels are offered in a cohort-based learning model by which students advance together through required coursework. Cohort-based study has several benefits, including:
Students are assigned to virtual instructors and a virtual community, where they can share and advance their ideas. Enrolling as an Army Servicemember With Grand Canyon University's online degree paths, Army personnel can complete a bachelor's or master's degree no matter where they are stationed. Additionally, 90 percent of the university's military admissions counselors are service veterans who understand the often complex needs of Army students -- from tuition assistance and benefit programs to the burdens placed on servicemembers pursuing higher education while on active duty. Grand Canyon University's military enrollment counselors can help Army families maximize their financial-aid options and structure their degree programs. A Servicemember Opportunity College Grand Canyon University is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Consortium, a network of about 1,800 colleges and universities that work together to ease credit transfers and make degree completion possible for Army personnel and their families. This network provides valuable support for Army students who move frequently and may have difficulty completing a traditional degree program. Course Transfer Credits at Grand Canyon University The university's trained military enrollment counselors are well-versed in how to apply military transfer credits from your Army career and training to your studies at Grand Canyon University. Military transfer credits may cover your math and science course requirements, and when applied to your degree path, can significantly reduce the time and cost it takes to earn your degree. Tuition, Financial Aid and Army Education BenefitsWhile out-of-pocket expenses vary depending on the amount of your Army education benefits, the special military student rate for attending accelerated learning classes at Grand Canyon University is as follows:
If you're wondering how you can afford to pay for higher education, contact an enrollment counselor, who can walk you through all of your financial options and help you get the most benefits for your service in the Army. There are many programs in place to help you pay for college or put your spouse or family members on the path to a better career. With the various financial assistance programs available to veterans or active-duty personnel, you may even end up with 100 percent of your tuition costs covered. The GI Bill Both Montgomery GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits can be used to pay for tuition and school-related expenses at Grand Canyon University. Both versions of the GI Bill have service requirements, and enrollment counselors can help Army and veteran students determine eligibility. Under the Montgomery GI Bill, you receive a monthly payment that can go toward tuition, educational fees, books or housing. The MGIB benefits are valid up to ten years after your separation from the Army. Post-9/11 benefits are available for 15 years after separation and are paid directly to the school. Tuition Assistance Active-duty soldiers are eligible for the Tuition Assistance program, which provides financial support for higher education or training. Grand Canyon University's enrollment officers can help with Tuition Assistance, which can be used by active-duty soldiers to pursue an education in off-duty hours. Army Tuition Assistance Top-Up If you are on active duty and eligible for Montgomery GI Bill benefits, you can use the Top-Up Program to cover the difference between your maximum Tuition Assistance benefits and the cost of your education. While Tuition Assistance programs typically only cover up to 75 percent of your tuition, the Top-Up program helps you cover the difference, within limits set by the Department of Defense. Top-Up must be used while you are on active duty, and it does decrease the amount of MGIB benefits available to you after separation. To find out how to maximize your education benefits, one of the trained military enrollment counselors at Grand Canyon University can help you understand your options. In addition to the programs above, you may be able to get education benefits through the following programs:
Career Services for Army VeteransArmy veterans may face specific challenges in determining a career path. Unlike traditional college students, many Army veterans amass years of on-the-job experience in an Army specialty. They may have families to support or specific needs in their career search. Grand Canyon University's career services department can help you sort through your options. From individual counseling about college majors and career paths to specific workshops and advice on civilian resume writing, internships and networking with employers, the career services department at Grand Canyon University can help Army students develop a career path and take the steps to achieve success. The school's track record of working with Army veterans, Army families and active-duty soldiers means career counselors are aware of how to meet the specific needs of Army personnel. Grand Canyon University News & AccoladesHow Does Grand Canyon University Stack Up Against Other Online Colleges? In 2009, Grand Canyon University was ranked seventh in the nation among 44 online colleges by the Online Education Database (OEDb). The OEDb looked at number of factors in determining Grand Canyon University's ranking, including:
In ranking categories by overall average, Grand Canyon University scored a 98 percent ranking for acceptance, and 91 percent for financial aid.
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