Frequently Asked Questions

Simply by being a full-time Designer Brands associate, you are eligible for up to $10,500 in annual tuition assistance when you enroll as a full-time student at Bellevue University seeking an associate or a bachelor's degree, or either a full-time or part-time student at Bellevue University seeking a master's degree. Be sure to check with your company's tuition assistance policy to ensure the program you're interested in qualifies.

If you are using this program to earn an associate or a bachelor's degree, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, annually. The Bellevue University school code is 002538. You must maintain a GPA of 2.0 in undergraduate programs and a 3.0 in graduate programs to sustain the benefits.

Yes. Part-time associates who have been employed at Designer Brands for at least 30 continuous days are eligible for up to $5,250 in annual tuition assistance when enrolled as a full-time student, seeking an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree at Bellevue University.

Those using this program to earn an associate or a bachelor's degree must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, annually. The Bellevue University school code is 002538. You must maintain a GPA of 2.0 in undergraduate programs and a 3.0 in graduate programs to sustain the benefits.

Yes! Each of your immediate family members is eligible for up to $2,500 in annual tuition assistance when enrolled as a full-time student, seeking an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree at Bellevue University.

Those using this program to earn an associate or a bachelor's degree must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, annually. The Bellevue University school code is 002538. You must maintain a GPA of 2.0 in undergraduate programs and a 3.0 in graduate programs to sustain the benefits.

If you are enrolling in an associate or a bachelor's degree program, yes. At Bellevue University, traditional semester-based programs are 12 weeks and full-time status for undergraduates is defined as eight credit hours per semester. If you enroll in an accelerated cohort program, you take only one course at a time, and all cohort programs qualify as full-time programs.

For master's degrees, you do not need to be a full-time student. You need only take one course, or three credit hours to take advantage of this tuition assistance benefit.

Current Bellevue University students should check with their Bellevue University Student Coach to see if they're eligible for this program. If you are, you will need to let your Coach know that you're interested in participating and, after this is complete, eligibility will start at the following term. In no case will the expanded tuition assistance be granted retroactively.

Bellevue University offers academic advising, online tutoring, a writing center, military veteran services, and ongoing professional development webinars. Plus, they'll work with you to help you create a degree plan and stick to that plan.

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 nationally 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 $6,895 for the 2022–23 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 when the student drops out of college.

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

Yes! Bellevue University lets you transfer in your previous college credit without a transfer fee! If you have an associate's degree, they will accept all the credits in your degree in full. You can also get credit for professional and military training, as well as for-credit exams like CLEP and DSST.

No. This tuition assistance is available exclusively to those who earn their degrees at Bellevue University, a world leader in helping motivated, working adults earn their college degrees. We created this partnership with Bellevue University because of their long history and expertise in supporting motivated adult learners, including the support, generous credit transfer, and career-relevant education you need to make a difference real-time at Designer Brands.

It's always a good idea to check your company's tuition assistance policies to ensure the degree you're interested in is covered by this tuition assistance program. Bellevue University offers two associate degrees, more than 50 bachelor's degrees, and almost 30 master's degrees to select from.

NOTE: Doctoral programs are not covered by this tuition assistance program.

To receive Designer Brands tuition assistance, you must submit your application and meet the requirements for the program described in the Designer Brands Benefits Booklet.

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 DesignerBrands.CorporateLearning. com/Scheduler to set up a Personal Advising Session with a helpful Enrollment Counselor.

Bellevue University has a dedicated group of Enrollment Counselors who are knowledgeable about Designer Brands culture. 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 DesignerBrands.CorporateLearning.com/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.

All applicants for admission to Bellevue University are required to submit an Application for Admission accompanied by a one-time application fee of $50 for undergraduate degree programs and $75 for graduate degree programs. These application fees are waived when you apply through this portal.

Undergraduate Students:

• Submit official documentation of high school completion (official high school transcript, official GED transcript, home school letter of completion, or student certification of high school completion). Non-degree seeking students do not need transcripts.
  
  
• If transferring from another institution of higher learning, submission of an official transcript from each accredited university/college previously attended is required. The transcript must be mailed directly from the previous institution to the Bellevue University Registrar:
  
  Registrar
  Bellevue University
  1000 Galvin Road South
  Bellevue, Nebraska 68005-3098
  
  Transcripts must be submitted even though credit may not have been earned at the previous institution, and even though transfer credit may not be granted.
  
  In many cases, training courses may be evaluated for credit. For example, ACE (American Council for Education) has assigned credit awards for many training courses. Be sure to ask your Admissions Counselor about whether your training might be worth academic credit.

Graduate Students:

• You must have an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited university or college, or a U.S. equivalent degree from a nationally or internationally accredited university or college.
  
  
• You must have maintained a GPA of 2.5 or better from the most recent 60 credits of coursework earned toward the bachelor's degree.
  
  
• You must submit an official transcript from each accredited university/college previously attended. The transcript must be mailed directly from the previous institution to the Bellevue University Registrar:
  
  Registrar
  Bellevue University
  1000 Galvin Road South
  Bellevue, Nebraska 68005-3098
  
  Transcripts must be submitted even though credit may not have been earned at the previous institution, and even though transfer credit may not be granted.
  
  Bellevue University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability in the educational programs and activities it operates.

Bellevue University was founded more than 45 years ago, and was one of the first accredited universities in the United States to offer degree programs online. Their first online programs were offered in 1992, and the University has since become known as a leader in online learning, recognized by the U.S. Distance Learning Association for 21st Century Best Practices in online learning, and Best Teaching online. Bellevue University has also been ranked in the Top 10 for bachelor's degree programs by U.S. News & World Report every year since the rankings began.

Bellevue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, one of the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Higher Learning Commission

30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
800-621-7440
312-263-0456
Fax: 312-263-7462
hlcommission.org

Bellevue University meets all BBBOnLine Reliability participation and Better Business Bureau membership standards and is authorized to display the BBBOnLine Reliability seal.

Students transferring to Bellevue University with an associate's degree will have met the General Education Core Curriculum requirements for the accelerated bachelor's degree completion programs. Students transferring without an associate's degree will take all General Education Core Curriculum requirements not met by previous coursework. Students transferring to Bellevue University with a bachelor's degree from an accredited university/college who have a 2.5 GPA (or better) from the most recent 60 credits of coursework earned toward a bachelor's degree and/or have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or better) for prior graduate work will have met all the requirements to begin a graduate program. Training credits and certificates also may be accepted as transfer credit. Admissions Office staff will complete an evaluation showing what requirements have been met and what courses the student must complete.

Bellevue University has a dedicated group of Enrollment Counselors who are knowledgeable about corporate learning programs. The enrollment process will include contact via phone, email, fax, and U.S. mail to engage in an advisory role concerning aspects of the program including course content, timeframes, workload, financing, enrollment procedures, and the management of all appropriate agreements.

Bellevue University recognizes that it collects and maintains confidential information relating to its students, employees, and individuals associated with the University, and is dedicated to ensuring the privacy and proper handling of this information. Your social security number is requested as the best and most effective way to identify you for the purpose of accurately processing and maintaining your educational records and is restricted to internal University use; for example, matching admission applications with SAT or GRE scores, matching admission status with financial aids, and obtaining transcripts during and after graduation. Bellevue University is required by federal law to report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the name, address, and SSN for persons from whom tuition and related expenses are received. Failure to provide such information may delay or even prevent your enrollment. Bellevue University will not disclose a SSN for any purpose not required by law without the consent of the student.

This is an important question because without understanding the difference between semester credit hours and quarter credit hours, it's difficult to compare tuition rates among universities.

Generally, one semester credit hour is equal to 1.5 quarter credit hours. So one course at Bellevue University is typically 3 semester credit hours, and an equivalent course at a university with quarter credit hours would be 4.5 quarter credit hours. (That's why a full bachelor's degree requires more credit hours at quarter-hour institutions.)

It affects the price you pay, too. If both universities charge $100 per credit hour, a 3-semester credit hour course would cost $300, but the same course at a quarter-hour university would cost $450.

Bellevue University is a non-profit, private university. For-profit universities are responsible to their shareholders to generate a profit from the tuition they charge and the services they provide. Non-profit universities are responsible to their boards of directors for achieving their mission of educating learners.