Top Frequently Asked Questions

Why do so many students choose Grantham?
Grantham University is a 100% online university that offers flexible, affordable associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. With our frequent course starts and web-based learning platform, the classroom comes to you on your own time. In a recent Student Satisfaction Survey, almost 9 out of 10 students stated that they would enroll in Grantham again.

back to top

What grade do students give Grantham?
A recent survey conducted by Noel Levitz found that:

• Grantham’s student satisfaction rating is significantly higher than that of other comparable universities
• Almost 9 out of 10 students stated that they would enroll in Grantham again
• Almost 9 out of 10 students feel that the tuition paid is a worthwhile investment

But, don’t take our word for it. Visit: http://www.grantham.edu/testimonials/ to see what our students have to say.

back to top

What do Grantham graduates say?
Grantham’s student satisfaction rating is significantly higher than that of other comparable universities*, but don’t take our word for it. Visit: http://www.grantham.edu/testimonials/ to see what our students and alumni have to say.

Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Survey, 2010

back to top

Can I accelerate the time it takes to get my degree?
Yes. There are three ways to speed up degree completion:

• Transfer Credit: Prior college coursework, military experience, employer courses, and equivalency exams such as CLEP and DSST will be evaluated for transfer credit.
• Accelerated Course Format: Grantham offers students the ability to proceed through their courses at an accelerated pace. Each course is 8 weeks in length; however, the accelerated format is designed to offer students the opportunity to complete their courses faster than the allotted 8 week enrollment period.
• Frequent Course Starts: Because Grantham’s courses begin on a frequent basis, you won’t have to wait for the semester to end or for a new enrollment period to begin in order to start your next course.

back to top

How many students attend Grantham?
Grantham University’s current student enrollment is almost 14,000. More than 90 percent of our student body is made up of active duty military, veterans, retired service members, and military spouses.

back to top

How long has Grantham been accredited?
Grantham University has been accredited for 50 years, which is longer than most online universities. Accredited since 1961 by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, Grantham University has compiled a distinguished record as a respected distance learning university spanning six decades of service to education.

back to top

What types of credits does Grantham accept at transfer credit?
Prior college coursework, military experience, employer courses, and equivalency exams such as CLEP and DSST may be used to obtain transfer credit in lieu of course and credit hour requirements.

back to top

How do I apply for military tuition assistance?
To apply for military tuition assistance, contact your Education Officer or click on the appropriate link below:

• Air Force: AI Portal
• Army: GoArmyEd
• Army Reserve: Army Reserve Tuition Assistance
• Coast Guard: Coast Guard Institute
• Marine: AEX Academic Explorer
• Navy: Navy College Program

back to top

Is tutoring available?
Yes. Grantham University’s Student Advising & Learning Center (SALC) provides academic support by offering assistance to students who need help with their courses. SALC provides individualized tutoring, a Writing Center and an Algebra Lab, and a variety of helpful resources.

back to top

How do I apply for my veterans benefits?
To apply for veterans benefits, visit: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp or call the VA at (888) 442-4551 (888-GIBILL1). For more information about utilizing your veterans benefits at Grantham, visit: http://www.grantham.edu/tuition/veterans-services/.

back to top

Can I use Tuition Assistance (TA) and VA benefits for the same course(s)?
If you are classified under Title 10 or 32, this includes Active Guard Reserve (AGR) orders, then you are considered active duty; therefore, you would not be able to receive both education benefits for the same course(s). If you are a drilling National Guardsmen or Reservist, you may be eligible to receive TA and VA education benefits for the same course(s).

back to top

How do I request my military transcripts?
To request your military transcripts, click on the appropriate link below:

• DANTES Score Report — School Code: 8473
• CLEP Score Report — School Code: 2244
• Army ACE Registry Transcript (AARTS)
• Marine/Navy ACE Registry Transcript (SMART)
• Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
• Coast Guard Institute

back to top

What types of degree programs does Grantham offer?
Grantham University offers 38 different associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs through four colleges: the Mark Skousen School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the College of Nursing and Allied Health. To view a complete list of programs, visit: http://www.grantham.edu/programs/.

back to top

How long does it take a typical student to earn a degree at Grantham? Can I accelerate the time it takes to obtain my degree?
Some students have completed their bachelor’s degree in as little as 18 months depending on the number of transfer credits accepted, diligence in studies, type of degree program, number of electives, etc.

There are three ways to accelerate degree completion:

• Transfer Credit: Prior college coursework, military experience, employer courses, and equivalency exams such as CLEP and DSST will be evaluated for transfer credit.
• Accelerated Course Format: Grantham offers students the ability to proceed through their courses at an accelerated pace. Each course is 8 weeks in length; however, the accelerated format is designed to offer students the opportunity to complete their courses faster than the allotted 8 week enrollment period.
• Frequent Course Starts: Because Grantham’s courses begin on a frequent basis, you won’t have to wait for the semester to end or for a new enrollment period to begin in order to start your next course.

back to top

What resources are available to help me as I work towards graduation?
Grantham University staff will walk with you and guide you from your first course, all the way to graduation. We offer a variety of learning support tools and resources, including:

• Personal Student Advisors
• Veterans Services
• Tutoring Services
• Writing and Algebra Labs
• Mentoring Programs
• Career Services

back to top

How do I communicate with my course instructor?
You’ll be able to communicate with your instructors via e-mail, virtual classroom hours, and if necessary, by phone. Some of our faculty members are also available on Skype.

back to top

Does Grantham use a traditional academic calendar? When is the next enrollment period?
Grantham University offers frequent course enrollments, and our Academic Calendar runs from January to December each year. Courses begin on Wednesdays.

back to top

Will Grantham accept my military credits for transfer?
Grantham will evaluate your military education and training for transfer credit if they are ACE approved and align with your degree of choice.

back to top

What happens if I deploy while attending Grantham University?
Many students find that our 100% online courses are flexible enough that they can continue their studies while deployed. But, if you are unable to continue your coursework, you may take advantage of the University’s Military Deployment Policy and put your program on hold until you return. To learn more about the Military Deployment Policy, read section 2.17 in the University Catalog or speak with your Student Advisor.

back to top

What is Grantham’s enrollment process?
Congratulations on taking the first step toward earning an undergraduate or graduate degree. Grantham’s application process is designed with busy working professionals in mind. We do not require an essay submission and there are no SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT or standardized test requirements.

The first step is to contact an Admissions Representative by calling 1-888-947-2684. Your Admissions Representative will walk you through the online application process and will provide you with guidance on obtaining the necessary documents to complete your enrollment, including transcripts, tuition assistance vouchers and employer reimbursement vouchers. Once all of the documents are in-hand, your enrollment application will be submitted for review. Depending on your situation and the number of transfer credits you have, a complimentary Transfer Credit Evaluation will be completed prior to or after your paperwork has been submitted. Once your paperwork has been processed, you will be notified by e-mail if you’ve been accepted and your AR will schedule an appointment with you to “walk you to class.”

If you’d like to get started right away, visit: http://www.grantham.edu/gu-admissions/apply-now/ to complete our online application.

back to top

Can I complete courses while deployed or serving overseas?
Yes. Grantham University’s courses are 100% online, which means that as long as you have Internet access, you have access to your courses. With our flexible learning format, you can study and submit assignments when and where it is convenient for you, as long as you meet the course deadlines.

back to top

What learning platforms are used, and what materials are provided to help me progress in my studies?
Grantham University utilizes GLife, our student portal, and the Angel learning platform. You’ll have 24/7, single sign-on access to a variety of resources such as: your courses, grades, announcements, and student account information.

Each course varies in the materials used for assignments. At a minimum, you will have a printed textbook, software (if applicable), syllabus, and course assignments. However, faculty may supplement your study materials with presentations and online reference resources to further facilitate mastery of the course.

The University provides a Textbook and Software Grant that covers the cost of required textbooks and software for those students who qualify.

back to top

Is there any tuition cost after applying my military tuition assistance?
Grantham University offers a Military Scholarship program that reduces our tuition rate to $250 per credit hour and includes a Textbook and Software Grant that covers the cost of required textbooks and software.

The Military Scholarship program is designed to cover the costs of tuition remaining after TA/DANTES benefits have been applied. If a National Guardsman or reservist receives only 75% TA benefits, or $187.50 per credit hour, the Military Scholarship covers the remaining TA, up to $250 per credit hour. By combining your Military Tuition Assistance with Grantham’s Military Scholarship Program, you could attend college with no out of pocket tuition expenses.* Additional University fees may apply and are not covered by the scholarship.

*Military students who continue their education with Grantham should be aware that they may have out-of-pocket tuition expenses once the fiscal year tuition assistance money is exhausted.

back to top

How many courses can I take at once, and what identifies me as a “full-time student”?
Grantham University’s courses are 8 weeks (56 days) in length and you must complete all coursework for which you are enrolled by the conclusion of the 8 week term. There is no limit to the number of courses that you can take at once; however, we recommend that you only take 1-3 courses at a time.

Undergraduate students are considered “full-time” if they are registered for 6 or more credit hours per term, which is generally 2 courses. All graduate students are considered to be full-time because Grantham offers no graduate courses less than 3 credit hours.

back to top

What does the military “brass” have to say about Grantham?
Grantham University has been meeting the educational needs of military service members, veterans and military family members for over 60 years. Grantham University was founded in 1951 by Donald Grantham, a veteran of World War II, to help prepare veterans for new jobs in the electronics’ industry and a better future upon their return to civilian life. Today, the University supports thousands of online students in 34 different associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. While veterans no longer comprise 100% of our student body, we have remained true to Donald Grantham’s commitment to serving the academic needs of those who serve our country.

Our Board of Governors is comprised of several former service members with distinguished records, including:

• Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (Ret.) U.S. Navy - Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. (Ret.), a distinguished Naval officer and government executive, is best known to the public as the first American aviator shot down over North Vietnam. He was held in North Vietnam as a POW for eight and a half years. Upon retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1980, Commander Alvarez has held numerous notable positions. Included are Deputy Director of the U.S. Peace Corps; Deputy Administrator of what was then the Veterans Administration; and Chairman of the CARES Commission, a 16-member, independent panel chartered by the Secretary to recommend critical change within the Veteran Affairs Department.
• RADM Karen Harmeyer (Ret.) U.S. Navy - Rear Admiral Karen Harmeyer (Ret.) is the former Chief Staff Officer, Navy Surgeon General, OPNAV 093R. She was the first female and the first Nurse Corps Officer in the Naval Reserve to achieve this rank. During her military career, Rear Admiral Harmeyer served as the Deputy Director, Navy Nurse Corps, Reserve Component, responsible for over 2000 nurses and as the Interim Director of the Navy Nurse Corps, responsible for over 5000 active duty and reserve Navy nurses.
• LTG Thomas G. Rhame (Ret.) U.S. Army – Lieutenant General Thomas Rhame, Vice President of Finance and Administration for the Association of the United States Army, retired from the Army on September 30, 1997. His last assignment was as the director of the Defense Security Assistance Agency. Prior to that, General Rhame was the chief of the U.S. Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia. During Operation Desert Storm, General Rhame was the Commanding General, 1st Infantry Division (“The Big Red One”), Fort Riley, Kansas.

Additionally, Grantham University has many outstanding graduates who’ve dedicated themselves to serving our country, including:

• Chief Master Sergeant John M. Harris (Ret.), Air National Guard – Retired Chief Master Sergeant John Harris served in the Air Force and the Air National Guard for 26 years. During his career, he served as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, supporting the 256th Infantry BDE, 20th Special Forces Group, OEF Coalition Forces, and multiple Enhanced Separate Brigades of the Army National Guard. He mobilized in support of OPERATION Desert Storm and deployed in support of OPERATION Enduring Freedom. Chief Harris also served as the State Command Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Louisiana Air National Guard.

  Chief Harris completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Grantham and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Project Management. “If I can finish my degree with a hectic travel schedule, family responsibilities, hurricane seasons, and while preparing for retirement, anyone can do it. When I tell Airmen and Soldiers to take full advantage of their educational benefits, now I can lead by example and show them that it can be done.”

• Lieutenant, Junior Grade Christopher A. Martin – Lieutenant, Junior Grade Christopher Martin has served in the United States Navy for 19 years. He currently serves as the Communicator, Security Manager and Information Assurance Officer for the Naval Submarine Support Center in Norfolk, Virginia.

  Over the years, he has served in a variety of positions including: an instructor and the Leading Petty Officer of the Communications Division at Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific Pearl Harbor Detachment in San Diego; the Leading Petty Officer and 3M Coordinator on USS HARTFORD (SSN-768); the Communications Watch Officer, Senior Watch Officer and Communications Division Leading Chief Petty Officer at Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; and as the Communicator for Commander, Submarine Squadron Eight.

  Lieutenant Martin has completed four degrees at Grantham: an Associate degree in Electronic Engineering Technology, an Associate Degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and most recently, his Master of Science degree in Information Management – Project Management.

  “I enrolled at Grantham University with career advancement in mind. During my walk with Grantham, I’ve advanced six pay grades, four of which have occurred in the last five years. But, career advancement is not all that I’ve gained from Grantham. I found myself applying the fundamentals learned in my courses to my everyday work environment. This is solely because the courses at Grantham are challenging and relevant.”

back to top

Is Grantham University a good value?
Grantham University offers you over 60 years of distance learning experience combined with a competitive tuition rate of $265 per credit hour for undergraduate courses and $325 per credit hour for graduate courses, which is one of the best values in online education. Compare the data for yourself at http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/. In a recent Student Satisfaction Survey* conducted by an independent third party, nearly 9 out of 10 students indicated that the tuition paid at Grantham is a worthwhile investment.

* Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Survey, 2010

back to top

Do I have to pay for textbooks and a technology fee?
Grantham University offers a Textbook and Software Grant that covers the cost of required textbooks and software for students who qualify. The University pays postage on mail and parcels going to a student in the U.S. (including APO and FPO addresses and P.O. boxes within U.S. territories). A student in another country, or physical address inside a U.S. territory, must pay a $50.00 per course shipping charge.

While some schools charge extra fees for transfer credit evaluations and proficiency tests, Grantham doesn’t. The University does charge a $30 Technology Fee per eight-week term which is used to keep technology up to date and fund programs and services that enhance student experience and success at the University. (Effective January 12, 2012)

back to top

When can I start classes?
Grantham University is one of the only universities that offers frequent course starts, which allows you to tailor your education to your schedule. Our degree programs are flexible, portable and designed so you can fit education into your life instead of arranging your life around your education.

back to top

Does Grantham develop its own degree programs?
Grantham University courses and programs are developed  specifically to meet the unique needs of working professionals; academic content is designed to complement your practical professional experience. This is one of the many reasons why nearly 9 out of 10 students said that they would enroll at Grantham again*.

* Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Survey, 2010

back to top

Is there any tuition cost after applying my Veteran Education Benefits??
The answer to this question depends on the chapter that you are using. If you are using Chapter 1606 or 1607 benefits, you may not receive enough benefits to cover all of your tuition; however, reserve soldiers using either of these chapters can also use military tuition assistance benefits to help cover the cost of tuition. If you are using chapter 30 or 31, you will most likely not have any out of pocket tuition costs. Students enrolled using Ch. 33 (if full time and if 100%) are eligible to receive a housing stipend of $673.50 per month. The amount of housing varies based on eligibility percentage and rate of pursuit (full time, 3/4 time). If a student is 1/2 time or less he/she is not eligible for the housing stipend.

back to top