Military

Military

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.

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 here:  https://gracechristian.edu/oncampus/tuition-costs/

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

Step 2

Apply for Federal Student Aid using the FAFSA

  • To apply for Federal aid using the FAFSA, go to www.Fafsa.gov.
  • 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 February 28th.

Step 3

Review Grace Scholarships and apply for outside scholarships

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).

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.

The Online Programs at Grace Christian University offer a military tuition discount 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 at https://gracechristian.edu/online/academic-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 program. 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

Step 2

Apply for Federal Student Aid using the FAFSA

  • To apply for Federal aid using the FAFSA, go to www.Fafsa.gov.
  • 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

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).

GI Bill® and 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 official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

To manage your existing VA benefits, or search and apply for benefits that are relevant to your interests, sign in at https://www.va.gov/.

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, COE. 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 visit the following link to review MVAA’s list of Veteran Friendly Employers: https://www.michiganveterans.com/p/Certified-Veteran-Friendly-Employers

Accreditation

 

Grace Christian University is dually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education. https://gracechristian.edu/about-grace/accreditation/

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 https://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 over 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!

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