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AIU Welcomes U.S. Coast Guard Students

Our admissions and financial aid staff strive to support you from enrollment through graduation. Financial aid advisors are available to explain your Coast Guard educational benefits—and our Admissions Advisors can walk through options available for transferring and earning credit toward your degree*.

AIU’s online learning platform offers Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve students a flexible way to access education, even if you are deployed or transferred to a new location. With a choice of putting your education on hold during deployments or continuing your studies while deployed, we’ll work with you to help keep your education on track.

AIU is a signatory of the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding for Post-Secondary Educational Institutions (DoD MOU). AIU complies with all requirements of the President’s Executive Order "Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service members, Spouses and Other Family Members".

View our military admissions process.

Reduced Tuition Rate

AIU offers a 45% tuition reduction to active Coast Guard undergraduate students. In addition, we’ll help explain the following federal benefits:

Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®

Provides up to 36 months of education (four school years) to eligible veterans and service members who have served at least 90 days of active duty since September 10, 2001. Educational benefits can include tuition, fees, books and some living expenses. Learn more

Montgomery G.I. Bill®

Provides up to 36 months of education (four school years) to eligible veterans and to service members who have served at least two years of active duty. Learn more

Tuition Assistance

This benefit pays up to 100% of the cost of tuition to eligible active-duty service members. Virtually all military service members can receive tuition assistance, but eligibility varies by service branch.

Visit the Coast Guard Tuition Assistance portal.*

*You may need to create an exception for this website in your browser. To do so, follow the steps below based on the internet browser you are using: Google Chrome: Click on “advanced” when the “Your connection is not private” message appears. Click on “proceed to xxx (unsafe)” Firefox browser: On the warning page, click “Advanced”. Click “Add Exception”. When the Add Security Exception dialog appears, click “View”. The Certificate Dialog will appear. Internet Explorer: When you see the “There is a problem with this website’s security certificate” page, click on “Continue to this website (not recommended)”

AIU is not responsible for the security of external websites.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

AIU Grants for U.S. Coast Guard Students

Veterans Grant
AIU has established a grant for all honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Coast Guard to assist in providing the opportunity to attend a degree program of study at AIU.

Get College Credit for Your Coast Guard Experience & Training

You can save time and money on your degree at AIU by receiving prior-learning credit for your past training, experience and coursework.

With AIU’s MOS Pledge program you can maximize the amount of credit you can receive for your previous military training and experience*.

Receive college credit for previous qualifying work or military experience that relates to your degree program.

*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Flexible, Career-Focused Degree Programs

Our curricula is designed to help you strengthen your knowledge, with personalized education technology and customized course content that allows you to read, watch or listen based on how you learn best.

Real-World Education

You’ll study under experienced faculty, exploring the relevant skills, fundamental practices and knowledge related to your field.

Skip What You Already Know

Spend your time focusing on what you need to learn, not reviewing the topics you already know. Our intellipath learning technology makes it possible.

Resume Assistance & Other Career Support

Our career services resources are available to assist with transitioning to the workplace, resume help, practice interviews, and more.

How AIU Online Works for Military Student Education

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At AIU, military students are an important part of our community. That’s why our faculty and staff go the extra mile to understand the unique needs of our military student body.

Learn more about your military benefits and how to get the most from them at these official websites:

Frequently Asked Questions

If I am deployed or transferred, will I be able to continue my education later?
Yes. AIU understands that Coast Guard personnel are frequently deployed and transferred. If you think you might not be able to continue your coursework for the length of your deployment or while in route to your new assignment, just contact your Student Advisor for further guidance and support.

How will my Coast Guard training and experience be applied to my chosen degree program?
Your training, occupations and experience are evaluated using ACE (American Council on Education) standards, which recommend awards of semester hours. Our degree programs are designed under a quarter hour system, and your credits are converted to this system. When you apply for enrollment, your Student Advisor will prepare a degree program that can maximize your training and experience.

Do I need to be on active duty to have my Coast Guard training and experience applied towards transfer credit?
No. The university will evaluate all of your training and experience for consideration of possible transfer credit whether you are on Active Duty, Inactive, Retired, or Separated from your branch of service.

Besides Coast Guard training and experience, what else can be applied as transfer credit towards the degree I want to pursue?
The university will evaluate any previously completed college coursework (C or better) for transfer credit, when applicable. We will also evaluate any certifications (e.g., MSCE, MCP, etc; and DSST examinations) and work experience prior to, during or after your military service.

How many credit hours can I expect to get for my Coast Guard training and experience?
Each student will have varying amounts of transferable credit based on years of service and specific training. Your Prior Learning Assessment Specialist can help you receive the most credit for your program and develop a personalized degree plan so that you have an opportunity to achieve your educational needs and goals.

What are DSST exams?
DSSTs are the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests that provide another avenue to demonstrate proficiency in a subject area in a non-traditional way. DSSTs are offer in a variety of subject areas, such as business, physical science, humanities, social science and applied technologies.

Take the next step. Classes Start June 7, 2023

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Classes Start June 7, 2023

Military affiliation includes active duty, veteran, spouse of military or veteran, or anyone eligible to receive military benefits.