About AIUS

DOD MOU

Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding

The American InterContinental University System (“AIUS”) is pleased to hold a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the Department of Defense (“DOD”), which allows AIUS member institutions American InterContinental University (“AIU”) and Trident University International (“Trident”) the opportunity to further our commitment to excellence in educating Service member students.

By following the guidance of the DOD MOU, we are able to ensure that all Service members have access to what they need to make informed decisions about where to attend school and about how their Tuition Assistance (“TA”) benefits will interact with their chosen educational programs.

Below, you will find more information about how AIUS upholds the agreement represented by the DOD MOU; please contact the offices associated with each area for more information.

Tuition Assistance

Students who are interested in using TA need to proceed to the appropriate website below to begin:

• Army
• Navy
• Marine Corps
• Air Force
• Coast Guard

Compliance

For concerns about compliance with the DOD MOU, please contact AIUS Senior Director of Financial Aid Mike Wetzel at mwetzel@aiuniv.edu.

Marketing, Recruiting, & Advertising

AIUS adheres to program integrity requirements consistent with regulations issued by the Department of Education (34 C.F.R 668.71-668.75 and 668.14) related to restrictions on misrepresentation, recruitment, and payment of incentive compensation. This applies to AIUS itself and its agents, including third party lead generators, marketing firms, or companies that own or operate the educational institution. As part of efforts to eliminate unfair, deceptive, and abusive marketing aimed at Service members, AIUS will:

1. Ban inducements, including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item having a monetary value of more than a de minimis [defined as "an insignificant amount"] to any individual or entity, or its agents including third party lead generators or marketing firms other than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in conformity with all applicable laws for the purpose of securing enrollments of Service members or obtaining access to TA funds. Educational institution sponsored scholarships or grants and tuition reductions available to military students are permissible.
2. Refrain from providing any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including TA funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance;
3. Refrain from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.

AIUS recruiting strategies utilize self-reported contact information; if a student is contacted by AIU or Trident and they wish to unsubscribe from future communications, they have the ability to unsubscribe their own accounts.

Additionally, eligible Service members are directed to speak with their Educational Services Officer (“ESO”) or counselor within their Military Service prior to being enrolled at AIUS. This is to ensure that Service members understand their own eligibility for TA and their potential financial responsibility toward AIU or Trident. The TA is approved on a course-by-course basis and only for the specific course(s) and class dates that a Service member requests. If a Service member “self-identifies” his or her eligibility and the Service has not approved the funding, then the Service member will be solely responsible for all tuition costs, not the Service.

Financial Matters

Before offering, recommending, arranging, signing-up, disbursing, or enrolling Service members for private student loans, Service members may work with an advisor in the Financial Aid office at AIU or Trident; this financial aid advisor will be able to offer individual loan counseling, including, but not limited to:

1. Providing a clear and complete explanation of available financial aid, including Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended;
2. Describing the differences between private and federal student loans to include terms, conditions, repayment, and forgiveness options;
3. Explaining that students have the ability to refuse all or borrow less than the maximum student loan amount allowed.

Information on how AIUS complies with requirements for return of TA funds:

1. Return any TA Program funds directly to the Military Service, not to the Service member.
2. Up to the start date, return all (100 percent) TA funds to the appropriate Military Service when the Service member does not:
   1. Begin attendance at AIUS; or
   2. Start a course, regardless of whether the student starts other courses.
3. Return any TA funds paid for a course that is canceled by AIUS.
4. Returns any unearned TA funds on a proportional basis through at least the 60 percent portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. In instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, AIU or Trident work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion.

For more information about AIUS policies and procedures regarding the use of TA funds, please contact Senior Director of Financial Aid Mike Wetzel at mwetzel@aiuniv.edu.

Accreditation and Credentialing Requirements

Accrediting organizations set the academic standards by which their member institutions must comply. This quality assurance process is performed by private membership associations. AIUS has institutional and programmatic accreditations and state licensure.

Learn more about AIUS accreditation and licensure.

Academic Counseling and Post-Graduation Job Opportunities

Degree Requirements

All undergraduate students at AIU or Trident are encouraged to attend orientation and meet with an advisor prior to course selection. All students, including graduate students, may peruse the AIU University Catalog or the Trident Academic Catalog for the degree requirements and timelines for degree programs.

Transfer Credit

AIUS recognizes that many of our students have acquired knowledge outside of a traditional academic environment. AIU and Trident use the American Council on Education's (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services as the basis for evaluating military training and experience. AIU and Trident may award credit for comparable courses or electives in a student's degree program upon evaluation of an official military transcript. Additional information, including information on how to request official military transcripts for evaluation, can be found in the AIU University Catalog and the Trident Academic Catalog.

Military Leave of Absence and Readmissions Policy

AIUS recognizes the challenges of completing a college degree in the midst of military Service requirements. Accordingly, Service members should refer to the AIU Military Leave of Absence policy, or the Trident Leave of Absence and Readmission of Service Members policies. For students who exercise mobilization or activation as outlined in these policies, TA refunds will be issued in accordance with relevant AIU or Trident withdrawal refund schedule listed below.

Career Counseling

AIU career services resources are designed to assist students with their career planning process. AIU students can utilize career services online tools and resources for career planning assistance before and after graduation.

Trident's Center for Career Planning and Workforce Strategies is designed to support students and alumni in career planning and employment readiness and offers a variety of student services and resources.

Returning TA Benefits

When a student using Military TA funds withdraws from a class or classes, AIUS, in accordance with the DOD MOU, shall return TA benefits using the same procedures and policies set forth for returning Title IV funds. You can find the AIU and Trident policies in the respective University Catalogs.