Military Friendly University
Serving Those Who Serve Us
Grace Christian University is proud of the courageous men and women who serve our country, and we delight in being a military-friendly university. We offer help in processing military scholarships, tuition assistance, and other veteran benefits. We also offer college credit for qualified military training and/or experience. We are here to help you with your military scholarships and veteran benefits so that you can focus on your academic goals.
On-Campus Undergraduate
Military Assistance
As a military-friendly school, Grace Christian University is proud to work directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the training of honorably discharged service members. Our specially-trained staff are completely devoted to military and veteran students and processing their military scholarships and other financial benefits.
The On-Campus Program does not have a discounted military tuition rate for our military students, however our On-Campus military students are eligible for On-Campus scholarships. The On-Campus Tuition Rates can be found on the Tuition & Fees webpage.
Students who are eligible to receive VA benefits or Federal Tuition Assistance are also recommended to completing the following steps towards obtaining additional sources of Financial Aid.
Step 1
Apply for Admission to Grace Christian University
- To become eligible for Grace On-Campus scholarships, students must first apply for admission on the Apply Now webpage.
- For more information about admissions to our On-Campus program, visit the On-Campus Admissions webpage.
Step 2
Apply for Federal Student Aid using the FAFSA
- To apply for Federal aid using the FAFSA, go to the FAFSA website.
- The Federal School Code for Grace Christian University is 002265.
- To receive full consideration for State of Michigan grants, it is recommended that all students submit their FAFSA before July 1.
Step 3
Review Grace Scholarships and apply for outside scholarships
- For Grace scholarships, go to the On-Campus Financial Aid webpage.
- Please inform the Financial Aid Office if you are awarded an outside scholarship.
Still have questions about financial aid?
Our Grace Financial Aid Team has over 20 years of combined Financial Aid experience. To contact Financial Aid, call (616) 538-2330, or email at financialaid@gracechristian.edu, or fax at (616) 538-0588 (Attn: Financial Aid).
Online Undergraduate & Graduate
Military Assistance
As a military-friendly school, Grace Christian University is proud to work directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the training of honorably discharged service members.
Military Tuition Discount
The Online Programs at Grace Christian University offer a discounted tuition rate of $250 per credit hour to all military service members, veterans, military spouses, and dependents 23 or under (Honorable Discharge required). For more details about Grace’s military discount eligibility requirements, please review the Online Catalog.
This discount is offered in an effort to match the Military’s Tuition Assistance benefit of $250 per credit hour and potentially allow military students to attend Grace Christian University with no out-of-pocket cost. This military discount applies to our Online degree programs only and does not apply to the On-Campus degree programs. The military tuition assistance is offered at any time throughout the year to all qualified individuals and applies to all classes taken online. Individuals receiving the military discount are required to cover the Resource Fee associated with each course.
Our specially-trained staff is completely devoted to military and veteran students and processing their military scholarships and other financial benefits.
Step 1
Apply for Online Admissions at Grace Christian University
- Our Grace Academic Advising Team has more than 20 years of combined experience in helping our students succeed! To contact our Academic Advisors, call (616) 261-8585, or email at academicadvising@gracechristian.edu.
- To apply, go to the Apply Now webpage.
Step 2
Apply for Federal Student Aid using the FAFSA
- To apply for Federal aid using the FAFSA, go to the FAFSA website.
- The Federal School Code for Grace Christian University is 002265.
- We recommend completing the FAFSA at least 2 weeks or more prior to your Online start date, to allow time for our office to review and send an award letter.
Step 3
Review the Grace Online Scholarships and apply for outside scholarships
- For Grace scholarships, go to the Online Financial Aid webpage.
- Please inform the Financial Aid Office if you are awarded an outside scholarship.
Still have questions about financial aid?
Our Grace Financial Aid Team has more than 20 years of combined Financial Aid experience. To contact Financial Aid, call (616) 538-2330, or email at financialaid@gracechristian.edu, or fax at (616) 538-0588 (Attn: Financial Aid).
GI Bill® & Military Tuition Assistance
Prior to enrolling at our institution, it is recommended that Service members reach out to their Educational Services Officer, or their Military Service Counselor, to discuss their benefits. For more information about education benefits offered by the VA, please visit the Education and Training section of the official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
To manage your existing VA benefits, or search and apply for benefits that are relevant to your interests, sign in at the VA website.
The following is a list of potential benefits that are available to service members. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 35 Dependents’ Educational Assistance program
- Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 1606 or 1607
- Army Tuition Assistance
- Air Force Tuition Assistance
- Navy Tuition Assistance
- Marines Tuition Assistance
- Coast Guard Tuition Assistance
How will I receive my Military benefits at Grace Christian University?
Type of Military Student | Military Benefits | What Student needs to turn in to the Grace Enrollment Advisor |
Grace Online Program Military Tuition Discount Only |
For our ONLINE PROGRAM ONLY, the Military Tuition rate is $250 per credit hour. | Joint Service Transcript & DD-214. Spouse of veteran also turns in Marriage Certificate. |
Chapter 33 Post 9/11GI Bill ® | Depending on Certificate of Eligibility, up to 100% Tuition & Resource fees can be paid to the school. Also paid a Monthly Housing Allowance from the VA. | Joint Service Transcript, DD-214 and Certificate of Eligibility |
Chapter 35 Dependents Education | VA payment goes directly to the student, varies per student. | DD-214, Certificate of Eligibility. Need spouse or parent info. Need child order when student is dependent child of the veteran. |
Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill ®* | VA payment goes directly to the student, varies per student. | Joint Service Transcript, DD-214 and Certificate of Eligibility |
Chapter 1606 Reserve GI Bill ®* | VA payment goes directly to the student, varies per student. | Joint Service Transcript, DD-214, and Certificate of Eligibility |
Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation | Varies per student. Usually covers tuition, fees, and books. | Joint Service Transcript, DD-214, and email address of VR&E Counselor |
Any Tuition Assistance (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard) |
100% Tuition Only, not fees. | Joint Service Transcript & TA Voucher (also called Authorization Form) |
* Note: Chapter 30 and 1606 students need to complete an end of month certification with the VA before they are paid.
Request Joint Service Transcripts
To request your Joint Service transcript please visit the link below. Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance to Grace Online, however, official transcripts must be received by the end of your first course:
- Request Joint Transcripts: click here
- How to request Official Joint Transcripts: click here
Grace Christian University also offers a free evaluation of military training and experience for college credit when you submit your Joint Services or American Council on Education (ACE) Transcript. Talk to your Grace Academic Advisor for more information.
Service Member Readmission Policy
Service members who cease attendance at Grace Christian University due to service requirements may request to be readmitted after they return from service. Grace Christian University will readmit the student into the next available classes within the program, with the same academic status that they had when they last attended.
- Students must notify the Grace Academic Advising Office as soon as possible when they need to stop attending classes due to service requirements.
- Students must notify the Grace Academic Advising Office of their intent to return to school within 3 years of completion of their period of service.
- The cumulative length of the absence and of all previous absences from the school for military service may not exceed 5 years.
- A student’s readmission rights terminate in the case of a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, general court-martial, federal or state prison sentence, or other reasons as described in 34 CFR 668.18(h).
Veteran-Friendly Employers
The Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency (MVAA) has compiled a list of employers who are committed to military veteran recruitment, training and retention practices. MVAA has awarded those veteran-friendly employers with either a gold, silver, or bronze level status. Please review MVAA’s list of Veteran Friendly Employers.
Accreditation
Grace Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Grace Christian University is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation to grant certificates and degrees at the Associate, Baccalaureate, and Master’s levels.
Learn more on our Accreditation webpage.
Cohort Default Rate
A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school’s borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meets other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year. The U.S. Department of Education releases official cohort default rates once per year.
- Grace Christian University’s Fiscal Year 2017 Official 3 year Cohort Default Rate was 14.3%.
- Grace Christian University’s 2018 Draft 3 year Cohort Default Rate was 6.9 %.
- The National FY 2017 cohort default rate was 9.7 %.
Students interested in obtaining additional information about loan repayment should either visit studentaid.gov, or contact the Grace Financial Aid Office at (616) 538-0599, or email at financialaid@gracechristian.edu.
Additional Disclosures
In compliance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, Grace Christian University will allow any individual entitled to receive Chapter 31 (VR&E) or Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®) benefits to attend registered courses while the institution awaits payment from the VA.
We will not assess late fees due to delayed VA payments. We will not deny access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities. We will not require that a covered individual borrow additional funds. We will not impose any penalty on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.
The waiting period will expire upon receipt of the payment from the VA or after 90 days from the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility. It is recommended that Military students submit their Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits to the school before classes begin. If the student’s eligible VA benefits do not fully cover the financial obligations at the University, the student will be responsible to make other payment arrangements to cover the remaining balance before classes begin.
Trained Military-Friendly College Counselors
Our specially-trained staff is completely devoted to military and veteran students and processing their military scholarships and other financial benefits.
Kurt Postma, the Director of Financial Aid, is also our school’s Veteran Benefits Coordinator and School Certifying Official (SCO). He meets the annual SCO training requirements and has more than 10 years of experience in Financial Aid, with over 6 years of experience in assisting veterans and service members with their military benefits.
If you have questions about Financial Aid or the military certification process, please contact Kurt Postma at (616) 261-8557 or email at kpostma@gracechristian.edu.
Grace Christian University is a Military Friendly University, and is proud to serve YOU!
Military Assistance
Have Questions About Military Assistance?
Our Grace Financial Aid Team has more than 20 years of combined Financial Aid experience. To contact Financial Aid, call (616) 538-2330, or email at financialaid@gracechristian.edu, or fax at (616) 538-0588 (Attn: Financial Aid).