American Graduate University

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
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
Payment Plan

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).

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.

*Be aware that DOD regulations allow you to use Military TA to pay for one degree per level. You can't use TA for a second master's degree unless special permission has been granted by the military.

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 AGU Registrar.

Restrictions

Military Tuition Assistance does not cover AGU application fees.
The ceiling for DOD TA is $250 per credit hour and $4,500 per fiscal year (Oct. 1-Sep. 30). You are eligible to register and complete up to six AGU courses per fiscal year before exceeding the present limits. Please note: The total amount of student TA cannot exceed the total amount of tuition.
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, you are responsible for completing payment for your courses by having all approved, completed TA forms submitted prior to the start of the class.
Completed and approved TA forms should arrive with the registration.

Reserve Component
Reserve component members are also eligible for TA under this policy; however, each service component has established specific guidelines, limits, and policies for its members that may not mirror those for the active components. Before registering for any courses, reserve members should check with their local Education Services Officer (ESO) for specific information and full understanding of the limits of their TA coverage.

Reserve members are also encouraged to seek any employer tuition assistance programs that may lower their total out-of-pocket costs.

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.

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.

Tuition Payment for VA Users
Students eligible for the Chapter 30, "Montgomery GI Bill" are expected to pay for the course tuition upon registration, even though the VA benefits may not yet have started. The VA will reimburse you directly by sending a check or direct deposit. Students eligible for the Chapter 33, "Post 9/11 GI Bill" are not required to pay the tuition upon registration since the Department of Veterans Affairs will pay AGU directly for their tuition.

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

Starting VA Benefits

Contact the VA online at http://www.GIBill.va.gov to apply for VA benefits using
Form 22-1990. If you qualify for VA benefits the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibilty.
Email (studentservices@patten.edu) or fax (626-915-1709) a copy of your Certificate to AGU.
If you have used your benefits at another educational institution, you must also submit a copy of VA Form 22-1995, Request for Change of Program or Location to the VA and also to AGU.
Upon receipt of the documentation and your acceptance into your chosen program you may register for a course(s). AGU will then send an enrollment certification to the VA for your registration(s).

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

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

Semester Course Load VA Benefit Level
6 semester hours Full-Time
3 semester hours Half-Time

Tuition Assistance Restrictions
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.

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

AGU accepts online payments from MasterCard, Visa, American Express,
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 tuition assistance.
Payment Plan

AGU offers a simple interest-free payment plan the breaks tuition for each course into three equal payments of $275. Payment 1 is due at registration; payment 2 is due at 30 days; and payment 3 is due at sixty days from the date of registration. Payments are made automatically using the credit/debit card you provide on your playment plan agreement.

*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.