Military Frequently Asked Questions
If you are a member of our military considering the benefits of enrolling as a student
at Colorado Technical University, you may have questions that are specific to the
requirements for you to pursue a real-world education while you serve your country.
A few of the most common questions posed by military students appear on this page.
If you do not find the answers to any questions you may have about CTU, we invite
you to contact us for additional information at any time.
For general questions about CTU, please visit our general FAQ page.
Does Colorado Tech Online participate in military tuition assistance programs?
Yes. Colorado Tech Online participates in the Montgomery G.I. Bill program, is a
DANTES affiliate, and accepts many federal and private aid programs. Your Colorado
Tech Online Financial Aid Advisor will assist you in obtaining all the benefits
available to you.
Are the students at Colorado Tech Online considered full-time for financial purposes?
Yes. All students enrolled in a Colorado Tech Online degree program are considered
full-time.
Do military personnel qualify for tuition grants*?
Colorado Tech Online has established a 20% grant* for Active, Active Reserve and National Guard military personnel serving in the U.S. Armed Services, and their eligible spouses. Spouses will be required to provide a military identification card for verification.
A 10% grant* has been established for Veterans** of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their eligible spouses. To be eligible for the Liberty Grant*, a candidate must be accepted for admission to the University, complete the Liberty Grant* attestation form, and allow for verification of his or her military status. Spouses will be required to verify marital status and spouse's military service.
How can a person complete a degree so quickly?
The programs are accelerated. Each course lasts five and a half weeks. Also, since
there are no extended breaks between quarters as you would get at a traditional
school, programs can be completed faster. Our accelerated programs allow you to
get the degree you want fast.
Is Colorado Tech Online an accredited university?
Yes. Colorado Technical University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission
and a member of the North Central Association. For more information, visit the NCA
Higher Learning Commission web site.
How would my military training and experience be applied to my chosen degree program at Colorado Tech Online?
The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates your military training, occupations, and experience and recommends credits in semester hours that are listed on your military transcript. After starting school, your Prior Learning Assessment Advisor will evaluate your military transcript and award any applicable military credit to your degree program. In order for military credit to be awarded, the military training, occupations, and experience listed on your military transcript must match the courses/outcomes that are part of your degree program at Colorado Tech Online. Since Colorado Tech Online operates on a quarter hour credit system, any ACE credit recommendations must be converted to the quarter hour system.
If I am deployed or transferred will I be able to continue my degree program when
I reach my new assignment?
Certainly. Colorado Tech Online understands that military personnel are constantly
deployed and transferred. For this reason, our programs are ideal for you because
your classes can travel with you since they are accessible as long as you can connect
to the Internet.
If you are unsure or know that you will not be able to continue your coursework
for the length of your deployment or while enroute to your new assignment, just
contact your Academic Advisor and a Leave of Absence may be worked out.
Do I have to be on active duty to have my military training and experience applied
towards transfer credit at Colorado Tech Online?
Absolutely not. We will evaluate all of your military training and experience whether
you are on Active Duty, Inactive, Retired, or Separated, from any branch of service,
including the National Guard and Reserves.
In addition to my military training and experience, what else may be applied as
transfer credit towards the degree I want to pursue?
Colorado Tech Online will evaluate any previously completed college coursework (C or better) or standardized tests (e.g. CLEP and DSST examinations), completed prior to, during, or after your military service, for transfer credit. In order for transfer credit to be awarded, the coursework or tests completed must match the courses/outcomes that are part of your degree program at Colorado Tech Online.
Colorado Tech Online will also evaluate any certifications (e.g., MSCE, MCP) or work experience, achieved prior to, during, or after your military service, for proficiency credit. In order for proficiency credit to be awarded, your certifications or work experience must match the courses/outcomes that are part of your degree program at Colorado Tech Online.
Colorado Tech Online also offers Challenge Examinations for specific general education requirements in English and Mathematics for those students who have not met these requirements by other college coursework, training, or experience.
How many credit hours can I expect to get for my military training and experience?
It varies. Military personnel will have varying amounts of credit applied to their degree program based on specific training. In order to apply military credit to your degree program, training and military experience must align with the outcomes of a course in your Colorado Tech Online program.
What are CLEP and DSST examinations and do they count as credit towards my degree
and where can I take these exams?
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a credit-by-examination program to achieve college-level credit. CLEP offers tests in a variety of subject areas (English/Literature, Math/Science, Social Science/History, Business, and Foreign Language) that, if taken and passed, can satisfy undergraduate requirements. CLEP tests can be taken as many times as needed. However, if you don’t receive a passing score on a test, you must wait six months before retaking the same test. More information about CLEP tests is available at
www.collegeboard.com.
The DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) provides another avenue to earn credit through examination. DSST also offers tests in a variety of subject areas (Business, Physical Science, Humanities, and Social Science) that, if taken and passed, can satisfy undergraduate requirements. More information about DSST tests is available at
www.getcollegecredit.com.
Military personnel can take CLEP and DSST tests free of charge. Talk to your Education Officer or Test Control Officer for more information and testing procedures. Study materials and practice examinations are available at most of these offices.
What are the characteristics of an eLearner?
Online learning is great for military personnel since your classes can travel with
you, provided you have Internet connectivity.
Online learners have several characteristics in common. First, successful eLearners
are comfortable with computers and know how to navigate the Internet. For some universities,
it is helpful if you are familiar with real-time Internet chat, email, computer-based
CD ROMs, and word processing software - and have access to a computer and modem.
Next, successful eLearners are self-motivated, good time- and energy-managers, and
know how to communicate clearly through writing. Lastly, for some online learning
programs, eLearners must be willing to commit 10 to 15 hours per week to studying
and believe that high-quality learning can take place without going to a traditional
classroom. If this sounds like you, you're probably a good candidate for eLearning.
Will I be getting the same education as I would get in a traditional classroom?
Online universities can be the perfect choice for military students. Many degree
programs, such as Colorado Tech Online, have been designed to help you graduate
faster than at a traditional college. Additionally, your classes can travel with
you as long as you have Internet access.
Research comparing distance education to face-to-face schooling seems to show that
studying at a distance can be as effective as traditional instruction, when there
is student-to-student interaction and when there is good teacher-to-student feedback.
Based on your academic experiences, you should realize how important being proactive
about this type of interaction can be.
The course content at most accredited online universities is comparable to that
at brick-and-mortar colleges. Colorado Tech Online's professors are at the top of
their fields academically and professionally. They bring years of knowledge and
practical experience to every course, which means you can receive a relevant education
that you may be able to apply in the real world. Colorado Tech Online faculty members
hold advanced degrees and have completed our rigorous certification program.
*University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the University's catalog and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.
**Discharged Veterans must have a discharge other than dishonorable.