DANTES 2010

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and Answers about Distance Learning

What is the purpose of this information?

Students and counselors frequently call the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Distance Learning Office with questions about the distance learning program. This information addresses many of their questions and is meant primarily as an aid for counselors.

What is distance learning and how can it help students?

Students use distance learning to take high school, college, technical, or vocational courses. Students learn at a distance using combinations of textbooks, lessons, workbooks, video and audio tapes, computer conferencing, and course information delivered by CD-ROM, the Internet, satellite TV, cable TV and E-mail. They may take a single course or many courses to complete a degree program. Most programs require no physical attendance at the school's campus.

What courses and programs are available?

Many distance learning programs and courses are listed in one of the following DANTES Catalogs:

The DANTES Independent Study Catalog lists courses offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities with which DANTES has a Memorandum of Understanding.

The DANTES External Degree Catalog lists certificate and degree programs available from regionally accredited colleges and universities with which DANTES has a Memorandum of Understanding.

The DANTES Catalog of Nationally Accredited Distance Learning Programs lists courses and certificate and degree programs available from schools accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council and other national accrediting agencies. The Catalog offers technical or vocational programs and degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Note 1: DANTES does not have college or university catalogs to provide to Service members. Students may view school catalogs on the web. Home page web links for all of the schools in the DANTES Catalogs are available from the online Catalogs. Students should examine institution requirements, course descriptions, costs, course delivery and testing requirements before enrolling.

Are there special requirements for enrolling in the courses or programs?

Some courses have prerequisites. There may be other requirements that must be completed prior to enrolling in a course or degree program. The school catalog or school advisor can provide this information. Students must receive education center counseling and approval prior to enrollment if tuition assistance is requested. If a student enrolls without going through an education center, tuition assistance may be denied.

How many courses can be taken at one time?

Counselors in recommending courses should consider the ability and experience of the student. Unless the student has demonstrated successful completion of distance learning courses, enrollment in one course at a time is generally recommended.

How do counselors know if students "need" a distance learning course?

Locally conducted and attended college or university courses usually are best for most students. However, if a desired course or degree is not available or cannot be taken because of the student's duty schedule, a distance learning course may be able to provide a satisfactory alternative.

How are students enrolled?

Students planning to enroll in courses found in the DANTES Catalogs must contact the school to register and enroll.

Note 2: Before enrolling in a course or degree program, students should consider the possibility of receiving credit through the Military Evaluations Program (using the ACE Guide at http://militaryguides.acenet.edu), and through the DANTES Credit-By-Examination program. Many of the SOC (Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges at http://www.soc.aascu.org) schools also offer contracts-for-degree in which specific use of nontraditional credit is itemized (and usually maximized) for military students.

Note 3: Before applying to any school, students need to determine if they can meet the school’s requirements for course cost, term lengths, delivery modes, student-to-instructor contacts, and testing policies. Students also need to be aware of the school’s drop/add date for each course, policies for awarding "W, F, and I" grades, and all refund policies and dates. Some degree programs require on-campus residency. Students need to be aware of all these details to determine if they can meet all of the school's policies and should enroll in courses with a particular school.

How much tuition assistance will a student receive?

In general, subject to specific Service policies, specified dollar limits, yearly caps, and availability of funding, students will be provided either up-front or reimbursable tuition assistance which may cover 100% of their tuition and fees.

Note 4: Students should contact their Service education counselors for current tuition assistance policies and requirements, as these frequently change. It is the student’s responsibility to know and understand their Service’s tuition assistance policy.

Note 5: Students may be required to make a separate payment to the school bookstore for books and materials.

Note 6: Although schools agree to notify DANTES before changing tuition and generally attempt to avoid changing fees during a school year, prices can change before they are entered into the online Catalogs or the current CD ROM edition of the DANTES Catalogs is issued. Students should always check with the school to determine the correct price before enrolling.

Must students pay tuition in advance or can they make installment payments?

Some schools permit installment payments. This agreement is between the student and the school. The student must pay all costs before the school will issue a grade report.

Note 7: Encourage students to discuss refund policies with schools before enrolling or before signing contracts. This will help students avoid later misunderstandings about refunds.

Who pays for the textbooks?

Books are the student's responsibility, and no reimbursement is made for these expenses.

Who pays for the postage on distance learning materials?

Students pay the postage for materials sent to the distance learning school. The school pays postage on materials sent to the student.

Why should a student consider a distance learning course?

A student may consider a distance learning course to meet prerequisites, accelerate degree completion, complete courses not conducted locally, complete courses when TDY or duty prevent class attendance, gain personal enrichment and satisfaction, or prepare for a second career. Some students find that independent study is their preferred method of learning.

What are some personal characteristics that may influence a student's success?

The successful distance learning student must have at least some of the following characteristics:

academic and emotional maturity;
specific goals;
the ability to work alone;
the capacity for self-starting, self-understanding and self-motivation;
persistence;
patience;
self-confidence;
reading and writing ability;
contacts who can help with content problems; and an academic support system (at home and at work).