Frequently Asked Questions

To support our government-wide mission to recruit, retain, and honor a world-class workforce serving the American people, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) creates Academic Alliances with select universities. These universities offer federal government employees a wide range of degree programs at a significantly discounted tuition rate.

Bellevue University has a long history of working with career-motivated adult learners from around the world. They understand the education needs of working adults. They have a wide assortment of career-relevant degree programs, including those in our mission-critical areas. And their tuition rate is very affordable. On top of that, they offer our federal government employees a 20% discount off that affordable rate.

This Alliance program, including the 20% discount applies to mission-critical learning programs that Bellevue University offers, including 33 bachelor's degree programs, 25 master's degree programs, 2 doctoral programs, and 20 certificates of completion.

Federal government employees (defined to include civil service employees only) who enroll in Bellevue University under this agreement can qualify for this program. This agreement does not include active duty military. They are covered under a separate agreement with Bellevue University.

Yes, immediate family members are eligible to receive the 20% off Bellevue University's tuition rate.

No.

First start by inquiring through Alliance.BellevueUniversity.US. You will be encouraged to participate in a Personal Advising Session with a Bellevue University trained and responsive Enrollment Counselor.

Be sure to check with your Agency Supervisor or Training Officer so you are aware of all the agency requirements that apply to tuition assistance/tuition reimbursement.

Please note: When you enroll, you will be required to submit a Leave and Earnings Statement reflecting your employment with the Federal Government. Family members do not need to submit a statement.

Bellevue University offers academic advising, online tutoring, a writing center, military veteran services, and ongoing professional development webinars.

The best way to find out if you have prior learning that will count toward your degree is to set up an appointment with a Bellevue University Enrollment Counselor. The meeting will be most productive if you are prepared with transcripts from previous colleges or universities and/or training programs in which you have participated.

An academic degree program is part of a planned, systemic, and coordinated agency employee development program linked to accomplishing the strategic goals of the agency, meeting an identified agency training need or accomplishing goals in the strategic plan. Employees must undergo a competitive process, consistent with 5 CFR 410.308(c), before selection to an academic degree program. Agencies should only establish academic degree programs under the conditions of 5 U.S.C 4107. Agencies may NOT select employees for academic degrees for the sole purpose of providing the degree or to qualify for appointment to a position where the academic degree is a basic requirement.

Tuition assistance programs, including individual courses, are NOT considered part of an agency's academic degree program. Within a tuition assistance program, agencies pay for individual courses/ classes. Employees are not required to undergo a competitive process. Supervisors should adhere to the definition of training (5 U.S.C 4101(4)) when choosing which classes/courses to pay for.

For more information on academic degree programs and tuition assistance, go to pp. 17-21 in the Training Policy Handbook.

Yes! When you combine the generous tuition assistance with other sources of education funding, the amount you may have to borrow to fund the remainder of your degree program can be very low.

Because Bellevue University is a regionally accredited university, they participate in all major federal and state grant and loan programs to pay any direct education costs remaining, such as tuition, books, and supplies.

Here are types of federal financial aid you may qualify for:

• Pell Grants - Awards of up to $6,495 for the 2021-22 school year if you can demonstrate exceptional financial need. This is a grant program set aside by the federal government for individuals who meet financial aid guidelines. Because it is a grant, it does not need to be repaid.
• Veterans Education Benefits - Bellevue University welcomes Education benefits and has VA-approved experts who will work with you to access and use the education funding you're entitled to.

Please NOTE: In order to assure that you have funding to cover your entire degree program, we make sure you have access to all available funding and we limit the amount of tuition assistance you can access each academic term.

A grant does not have to be repaid. A loan must be repaid with interest following graduation or if the student stops before graduating.

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, annually. The Bellevue University Title IV code is 002538.

The Federal Student Loan Repayment Program permits agencies to repay Federally insured student loans as a recruitment or retention incentive for candidates or current employees of the agency. The program implements 5 U.S.C. 5379, which authorizes agencies to set up their own student loan repayment programs to attract or retain highly qualified employees. This is offered strictly by each individual agency.

For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/ pay-leave/student-loan-repayment

The PSLF Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full-time in public service jobs. Under this program, borrowers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance of their Direct Loans after they have made 120 qualifying payments on those loans while employed full-time by certain public service employers.

For further information on qualification visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/ repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/charts/public-service#what-isthe- public

In a cohort program, you take one class at a time with the same class of motivated learners from across the country. As you advance through the program with this same group in each course, you'll collaborate on projects and form valuable professional networks you'll keep throughout your career. Cohort programs qualify as full-time student status.

Bellevue University's main campus is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, but their degree programs are available to students throughout the globe via one of the most awarded online platforms available.

There is so much more to effective online learning than recording a professor lecturing.

Bellevue University dedicates an entire college to effectiveness in online learning, so you are assured a rich, interactive experience that encourages sharing with your professor and among your classmates. And, of course, the primary benefit of Bellevue University's online learning is that you can study and attend class when it's convenient for you.

The easiest way to get started is to visit Alliance.BellevueUniversity.US to set up your Personal Advising Session with a helpful Enrollment Counselor.

Bellevue University has a dedicated group of Enrollment Counselors who are knowledgeable about the Federal Government Workforce education benefits. Throughout the enrollment process, your Enrollment Counselor will advise you on all aspects of your degree program, including course content, timeframes, workload, financing options, enrollment procedures, and more.

First, you'll fill out the online application at Alliance.BellevueUniversity.US/Apply. Schedule a Personal Advising Session with an Enrollment Counselor. They will work with you on the next steps, including sending transcripts, choosing the right degree program, filling out your FAFSA, and more. Your Enrollment Counselor will be with you every step of the way.