American Graduate University has been renamed "Patten University". Students who enrolled in AGU prior to September 2022 can access the university through this web page. New Students can enroll or contact us at Patten.edu

Tuition costs associated with graduate degrees and master's certificates are covered in whole or in part by virtually all government agencies and many commercial organizations.

Federal Government Tuition Reimbursement
Department of Defense (DOD) Training Funds
Active Duty Military Tuition Assistance
Corporate Tuition Reimbursement
Veteran Administration (VA) Benefits
Tuition Payment for VA Users
Starting VA Benefits
VA Benefit Level
Tuition Assistance Restrictions
Methods of Payment

Federal Government Tuition Reimbursement
As a full-time employee of the federal government, you in all likelihood are eligible for reimbursement of tuition and book costs associated with your AGU studies. A number of agencies support job-related studies with up to 100% tuition reimbursement and may also cover the cost of all required textbooks.

Note: You should confirm approval and financial assistance before registering for any courses.

Department Of Defense (DOD) Training Funds
If you are serving in the military or the Federal Civil Service, you should contact your Education Services Officer (ESO) or Civilian Training Representative to find out how to obtain funds before registering for University classes. These funds are not administered by DANTES and are typically reserved for courses that apply directly to your job. You may pay tuition with command or agency training funds by submitting a DD-1556 or SF 182 (or other applicable form).

American Graduate University qualifies for the Department of Defense (DOD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program and is listed in the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Catalog of Nationally Accredited Distance Learning Programs. This catalog can be found in each base/installation education office. An Education Services Officer (ESO) should be able to advise you on program eligibility. If you encounter any obstacles with regard to military tuition assistance, please contact the AGU Registrar.

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Active Duty Military Tuition Assistance
The Dept. of Defense has standardized its Tuition Assistance (TA) program across military services and reimburses active-duty military members a percentage of tuition costs for all courses* offered by nationally or regionally accredited institutions. If you plan to use Military TA for tuition payment, please visit your service's ESO or Education Center. Active duty military tuition assistance is not currently available to AGU.

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Corporate Tuition Reimbursement
Many corporations and companies offer educational benefits to their employees. AGU students should check with their Human Resources representative for specific details of any organization's education programs. AGU will provide any necessary information regarding tuition, fees, accreditation, course content, or other information required by an organization.

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Tuition Assistance Restrictions

• DOD/Military Tuition Assistance does not cover AGU application fees, comprehensive exam/project fees, and in most cases tuition for course challenges.
  
  
• You must register online and send in the appropriate forms in order to complete payment for the course. Submission of a DANTES 1562/31 (Distance Learning Course Enrollment Form) or other Tuition Assistance form does not constitute registration for a course.
  
  
• If you are using TA, completed and approved TA forms must be submitted at the time of registration. Any tuition not paid by TA is the responsibility of the student, and must be paid at the time of registration.
  
  
• AGU may be required to report final grades as of the completion date shown on the tuition assistance document. When applying for tuition assistance, please request start/completion dates to allow five months for each course.

The DOD, other federal agencies, and most corporations extend tuition assistance with the expectation and understanding that students will successfully complete their course(s).

Students who fail to complete their course(s) may be expected to reimburse their employer for any amounts of assistance received. Military students will have the amount of tuition not refunded by the school deducted from their pay unless waived due to operational reasons. Military students must also achieve a grade of "B" or better in their graduate courses to prevent having to reimburse the government for the assistance received.

All students should check with their Education Services Officer (ESO) or HR Training Director for details pertaining to any restrictions before registering for any courses or receiving any assistance.

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Veterans Administration (VA) Benefits
If you are eligible for VA Benefits, you must first apply for admission and be accepted as an AGU student prior to setting up your VA benefits.

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Tuition Payment for VA Users
Students who are using the Montgomery GI Bill will be required to pay the course tuition upon registration. Students using the Post 9/11 GI Bill are required to pay only the percentage of tuition not covered by their VA benefits upon registration since the VA pays their portion of the tuition directly to AGU.

Please note: Students who are eligible to combine DOD tuition assistance with VA benefits must notify their VA office.

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Starting VA Benefits

1. Contact the VA office online at http://www.GIBill.va.gov (or toll-free at 1-888-442-4551) to see if you qualify for VA benefits and to request any necessary form(s). Please note: Forms should also be available at all DVA offices, most active duty military stations, and American Embassies in other countries.
   
   
2. Use the Veterans ON-line Application (VONAPP) site (http://www.gibill.va.gov) to complete an application for benefits. Complete Form 22-5490 if you’re applying for benefits based on being a dependent or spouse of a service connected injured or deceased veteran. Use Form 22-1990 for all other programs. You may also complete Form 22-5495 or 22-1995 if you’ve been receiving benefits and need to notify VA that you’re changing schools or programs of study.
   
   
3. The VA will send you a copy of your certificate of eligibility. Fax (626-915-1709) or email (studentservices@patten.edu) a copy of the certificate to AGU.
   
   
4. If you have used your benefits at another institution, you must submit VA Form 22-1995, Request for Change of Program or Location, to AGU.
   
   
5. Register for a course. Once you register, the AGU Administration Office will send an enrollment certification to the VA office to start the benefits.
   

Please note: Discharged students must also send a copy of their DD214.

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VA Benefit Level
The following table equates semester hours with VA benefit levels:

6 semester hours (2 courses)		Full-Time
3 semester hours (1 course)		Half-Time

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Methods of Payment
Course tuition is due and payable at the time of registration.

• AGU accepts online payments from MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover,
  or Government Credit Card.
  
  
• AGU accepts a DD 1556 or SF 182 forms.
  
  
• AGU accepts checks and money orders* payable to "American Graduate University," and purchase orders.
  
  
• AGU also accepts various types of military and corporate tuition assistance.

*Please note: Payment is not complete - and the request is not processed - until checks and/or Military Tuition Assistance or Tuition Reimbursement documentation has been received and processed by American Graduate University.

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