Welcome Trident Students and Alumni

We are excited to announce that Trident is officially a part of American InterContinental University (AIU). Our goal is to provide you a seamless transition as you continue with your program of study. We are committed to protecting the unique Trident learning experience and the culture of strength and resilience that we have built.

AIU is a regionally accredited university founded nearly 50 years ago on the premise that education should be more than theory-based, it should provide students with a curriculum that helps them prepare to pursue their professional interests. They are the partner we have been looking for to expand our operations and show more students what it means to be “Trident Strong.”

We are committed to keeping you informed during this process. Please know that you can call 877-320-3612, email TUI_Info@trident.edu or click the chat live button below with any questions you may have.

Why is American Intercontinental University the right fit?

Compass

AIU is a regionally accredited university founded in 1970 on the premise that education should be more than theory-based; it should provide students with a curriculum that helps them prepare to pursue their professional interests. Today, AIU operates campuses in Atlanta and Houston and offers programs online (which they have been doing for 18 years). They currently offer programs in business, criminal justice, education, information technology, design and healthcare management. In addition, they have made a substantial investment in their online student platform, including mobile phone apps for both students and faculty for which they recently won technology awards.

They are the partner we have been looking for to help grow and expand what we have built here at Trident. AIU has significant financial resources and expertise to invest in critical areas that will continue to drive sustainability and advance our commitment to continuous improvement in the student experience.

AIU is committed to protecting the unique Trident learning experience and the culture of strength and resilience that we have built here at Trident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Student & Alumni Questions

Will there be a 2020 Trident commencement?

Yes. The Trident graduation will be held on Saturday, July 25th at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA.

How does transaction impact me as a student?

Students will receive the quality education they know and expect from Trident University. AIU is committed to protecting the unique Trident learning experience and there are no planned changes that would significantly impact course delivery or key academic policies. By virtue of our success, AIU has a stake in maintaining our key differentiators. There will be no changes to the following areas:

program of study: structure, content, delivery, courses, and MyTLCPortal
faculty
student advising and financial services
graduation requirements
institutional policies
tuition rates and scholarships

Will my Office 365 account and My.Trident.Edu email account still be available if the acquisition goes through?

Yes. There is no plan to change our Office 365 account or Trident email (My.Trident.Edu) accounts.

Is AIU approved to offer doctoral degrees as they do not currently offer doctoral level programs?

HLC has approved all of our programs including doctoral programs for ongoing enrollment.

Will there be an impact to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process for doctoral students?

Trident will maintain the same IRB process.

Accreditation

Who is our accreditor?

As part of AIU, we are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). HLC is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region. For more information about HLC, visit https://www.hlcommission.org/

How does the HLC regional accreditation compare to WASC regional accreditation?

WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) accredits institutions primarily in California and Hawaii and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) founded in 1895 as one of the six regional accreditors in the United States, accredits institutions in the North Central region, covering 19 states in this geographical area. The primary difference between WASC and HLC is location, as both are recognized by the Council for Higher Education and the US Department of Education and meet the same set of standards.

Financial Questions

Will tuition change?

There are no planned changes to tuition rates as a result of the proposed acquisition. AIU is committed to protecting and maintaining what makes Trident different from other online universities. There is a recognition of what an important factor affordability is when students chose Trident.

Will scholarships still be available for students?

There is no planned change to Trident’s tuition or scholarship offerings at this time.

Do I need to update my FAFSA?

Yes. The Office of Postsecondary Education Identification (OPE ID) number will change and need to be updated. The OPE ID number is assigned by the U.S. Department of Education to identify schools that have Program Participation Agreements (PPA) so that its students are eligible to participate in Federal Student Financial Assistance programs under Title IV regulations. We will work with each student to ensure that the update to the OPE ID number is a seamless part of their financial aid process.

How is this going to impact my TA benefits?

There will be no impact to courses in which we have already received your Tuition Assistance Vouchers. This includes Military Tuition Assistance for the upcoming sessions in which you are enrolled.

Go Army Students
Moving forward, we will appear in the Go Army Portal as Trident at AIU. There will be no changes to program list, course offerings or how you apply for tuition assistance.

Air Force Portal
Moving forward, we will appear in the Air Force Portal as Trident University International but will updated in the near future to Trident at AIU. There will be no changes to program list, course offerings or how you apply for tuition assistance.

NCMIS – Navy/Marine and Coast Guard
Moving forward, please continue to apply for tuition assistance with no changes. In the near future, our name will be updated to Trident at AIU. There will be no changes to program list, course offerings or how you apply for tuition assistance.

How is this going to impact my VA benefits?

In the event you funded any part of your education with funding from the U.S. Veterans Administration, there is no action for you to take at this time. We are working closely with the Veteran’s administration to ensure continuity in your benefits. If we need any additional information from you, we will reach out.

University's Name

What name will be on my diploma and/or transcripts?

If your final course ended prior to March 2, 2020, Trident University International will be on your diploma and transcripts.

If your final course ended after March 2, 2020, Trident at AIU will be on your diploma and transcripts.

As an alumnus, should I continue to claim Trident on my resume and LinkedIn or do I change this to AIU?

Yes! You are a graduate of Trident and everything that represents will always be a part of you, your resume and your LinkedIn profile. We look forward to welcoming you into our expanded alumni community as we transition to be a part of AIU and will be sure to include you in the process so that we ensure the Trident legacy and name (and everything they represent) are honored and recognized.

Have Questions? Contact us today at TUI_Info@Trident.edu or call us at 877-320-3612

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