Is Purdue Global Free for Purdue Employees?

Purdue Global offers education benefits to eligible employees, but does that mean attending the university is completely free? Many schools and employers provide support through tuition reimbursement programs, which can significantly reduce the cost of earning a degree.

Understanding how these benefits work is key to determining what you’ll actually pay out of pocket. This article breaks down Purdue Global’s employee education benefits and what they mean for prospective students.

Is Purdue Global Free for Purdue Employees?

For most programs, yes. Purdue University offers its employees a tuition benefit called the Gift of Knowledge (GOK) benefit, which covers 100% of tuition for eligible undergraduate and graduate programs at Purdue Global. The benefit was formerly known as the Purdue Global Education Benefit.

One clarification is worth making up front: Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university, and it does not have regional campuses. Purdue University Northwest (PNW) and Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) are separate campuses within the Purdue system. Employees at any Purdue system campus may be eligible for the benefit, but the coursework itself is completed online through Purdue Global.

Eligibility is not limited to adjunct faculty. Active Purdue employees who have been continuously employed full-time for at least three months, or part-time for at least six months, may qualify. Employees must also be actively working and in good standing.

Doctoral and law school programs are the exception to full coverage. Because of the intensive faculty-student interaction these programs require, Purdue offers them at a reduced rate rather than tuition-free: 50% off current tuition for employees and 25% off for immediate family members.

Family members are also covered at other levels. Once an employee meets the eligibility period, spouses, children, step-children, and children under legal guardianship can receive a 50% tuition discount on eligible undergraduate and graduate programs.

“Free tuition” does not mean free in every sense. The benefit covers textbook fees for undergraduate students only — graduate and postgraduate students buy their own. Technology fees are assessed every term and are the student’s responsibility, as are administrative fees, drop fees, lab and clinical fees, and program-specific fees. The benefit also does not apply to single course offerings, micro-credentials, or the Professional Flight program.

Do Purdue Global Credits Transfer to Other Universities?

When considering Purdue Global credits, it’s essential to understand their transferability.

Purdue Global credits transfer to many other institutions, but transfer is never guaranteed. Whether credits are accepted depends on several factors, including the receiving institution’s policies and the relevance of the courses to the new program.

Prospective students are encouraged to inquire with the admissions office of the receiving institution to confirm the transferability of credits before enrolling.

Purdue Global’s institutional accreditation means its courses meet recognized quality standards, which generally supports credit transfer — yet each university retains its own criteria for accepting transfer credits.

Is a Purdue Global Degree Respected?

How a Purdue Global degree is received depends on several factors, including the field of study, the employer’s perspective, and the views of the broader academic community.

Purdue Global is accredited and holds the academic standards expected within the Purdue University system. Graduates can expect their degrees to be recognized and valued in many professional and academic settings.

However, as with any institution, perception can vary based on industry-specific standards and individual experiences.

Purdue Global’s commitment to providing flexible, high-quality education is designed to meet the needs of adult learners and professionals seeking to advance their careers.

Admissions Requirements for Purdue Global

To enroll in undergraduate programs at Purdue Global, applicants must have earned a high school diploma or an approved equivalent. A General Equivalency Diploma (GED) satisfies this requirement, as does a recognized home study credential, a foreign equivalent of a U.S. high school credential, or a transcript showing an associate degree or higher from an accredited U.S. institution.

Applicants must also be at least 18 years old, or at least 16 with approval from the dean of the school they wish to enter.

For those aspiring to join graduate programs, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required, along with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.5. Applicants below that threshold may still be considered based on other evidence of academic potential. A master’s degree is required for doctoral and postgraduate certificate programs.

It’s important to note that specific programs may have additional requirements, such as prerequisite courses, professional experience, criminal background checks, or higher GPA thresholds.

Prospective students should carefully review the requirements for their desired program to ensure they meet all criteria.

Is Purdue Global Accredited?

Purdue Global has earned accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

This accreditation confirms that Purdue Global meets established standards of quality in its educational offerings, faculty qualifications, and administrative processes.

Institutional accreditation is a critical factor for students to consider, as it affects the transferability of credits, eligibility for federal financial aid, and the recognition of degrees by employers and other educational institutions.

Many individual programs carry additional specialized accreditation as well — including ABET for cybersecurity and information technology, ACBSP for business programs, and CCNE for nursing.

HLC accreditation ensures that Purdue Global’s programs are rigorously evaluated on a regular basis to maintain educational excellence and continuous improvement, making degrees from Purdue Global respected and valued in both academic and professional settings.

Purdue Global Degrees

Purdue Global offers a wide array of degree programs tailored to meet the needs of diverse learners, including working adults seeking flexibility in their education.

Degrees range from associate to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, encompassing fields such as business, information technology, health sciences, nursing, criminal justice, education, psychology, and legal studies. Law degrees, including the Juris Doctor and Executive Juris Doctor, are offered through Purdue Global Law School, formerly known as Concord Law School.

The university is known for its online learning platform, which combines flexible coursework with scheduled weekly seminars in many programs, allowing students to study largely on their own schedule without compromising their work or personal commitments.

This mode of learning is designed to be both accessible and accommodating, ensuring students can balance their educational pursuits with other responsibilities.

FAQs About Purdue Global's Employee Benefit

The details of Purdue’s Gift of Knowledge benefit can be easy to miss, especially around eligibility timing, family coverage, and what the benefit doesn’t include. These answers address the questions prospective student-employees ask most often.

What Is the Gift of Knowledge Benefit?

The Gift of Knowledge (GOK) benefit is Purdue University’s tuition assistance program for employees and their families who want to study online at Purdue Global. It replaced the earlier “Purdue Global Education Benefit” branding and was last updated in September 2023.

How Long Do I Have to Work at Purdue Before I Qualify?

Full-time employees must be continuously employed for a minimum of three months. Part-time employees must be continuously employed for a minimum of six months. Employees must also be actively working and in good standing, and full-time employees on a leave of absence longer than 12 weeks cannot continue participating.

Can My Spouse or Children Use the Benefit?

Yes. Once an employee meets the eligibility period, spouses, children, step-children, and children under legal guardianship become eligible. Family members typically receive a 50% tuition discount for undergraduate and graduate programs, and 25% for doctoral and law programs.

Are Textbooks and Fees Covered?

Textbook fees are covered for undergraduate students only. Graduate and postgraduate students are responsible for their own books. All participants are responsible for technology fees, which are assessed each term, plus administrative fees, drop fees, lab and clinical fees, and program-specific fees. Family members also pay the one-time application fee, which is waived for employees.

Which Programs Are Excluded From the Benefit?

The benefit cannot be used for single course offerings, micro-credentials, the Professional Flight program, or costs tied to the Global Competence Certification education abroad opportunity. Employees may use the benefit for one program at each degree level, though certificate programs are unlimited.

Do I Still Need to File the FAFSA?

Not necessarily. Employees using the benefit are not required to complete the FAFSA unless they want federal funding in addition to the benefit. If a student does receive federal, state, or local grants or loans, those funds are applied to institutional costs first, and the benefit covers the remaining tuition balance.

What Happens to the Benefit if I Leave Purdue?

If an employee leaves within 15 days after a term starts, full tuition and fees are assessed for that term. If the employee leaves after that point, the discounted rate applies for that term only. After that final term, the employee and any participating family members are no longer eligible and should contact the financial aid department about other options.

Start Your Path at Purdue Global

Purdue Global stands out as an institution committed to empowering individuals through accessible, high-quality education.

By offering flexible online programs, comprehensive support services, and a variety of degree options, Purdue Global caters to the unique needs of its student body, including those balancing education with work and family commitments.

Purdue Global is a compelling choice for those seeking to advance their education and career prospects.