United States University and Aspen University
The Board of Trustees at United States University (“USU”) has unanimously voted to enter into a partnership that will align Aspen University (“Aspen” or “AU”) with United States University.
United States University and Aspen University
The Board of Trustees at United States University (“USU”) has unanimously voted to enter into a partnership that will align Aspen University (“Aspen” or “AU”) with United States University.
Over the next several months, leaders from United States University and Aspen University will collaborate to shape the alignment of both universities. This website will act as a central hub for information and will be updated as we reach significant milestones.
Shared Vision
We are committed to providing affordable, high-quality education that embraces diversity and inclusiveness, upholds integrity, and fosters life-long learning. Once the merger is approved and complete, Aspen University will become United States University.
Highlights of the Agreement
- Thoughtful measures will be taken to preserve the integrity of academic programs and the student experience throughout the transition.
- Aspen students enrolled and in good standing at the time of the merger will be automatically enrolled at USU and may continue progressing toward their degrees. USU will honor the Program Enrollment Agreements the student signed with Aspen.
- Students transitioning to USU through the merger will not see an increase in net tuition or fees, aside from standard annual adjustments consistent with institutional practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
USU acquired Aspen to enhance institutional long-term sustainability. This decision is the culmination of extensive planning and is a strategic step forward that will strengthen our mission and enhance the educational opportunities available to all of our students.
The Aspen Group Inc (“AGI”) is the parent company of both universities. The AGI Board of Directors voted to pursue this opportunity after completing a very thoughtful, deliberative, and thorough process to explore ways to preserve its mission as an institution of higher learning for the long term.
United States University is a subsidiary of AGI and a sister school to Aspen University that offers professional and personal educational opportunities, with a special outreach to underserved groups. Through campus and online courses, the University offers affordable, relevant and accessible undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates in a supportive student-centered learning environment. USU’s mission, vision, and core value can be found here: https://www.usuniversity.edu/about/mission-statement.
The merger has been approved by the governing boards of both institutions. Completion is subject to regulatory processes and approvals. The timeline for these approvals is not yet certain, but the merger is expected to occur in stages. The timeline can be six months to 18 months or longer. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Aspen students will continue their academic programs at Aspen University until the Department of Education (“Department” or “DOE”) approves the merger and the merger closes. Following approval, they will become USU students, which means their educational goals can remain on track while they continue receiving the support they need and deserve. Aspen students will not need to take any action, this will happen automatically.
Once the merger is complete, the AU name will be retired and the remaining entity will be United States University.
The AU campus will be retired. United States University main campus is located at 859 Mt. Vernon Hwy NE, Suite 200, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
AU’s students who enroll at USU following the completion of the merger will have pathways to degree completion in either their equivalent, mapped major or a closely aligned one. USU will honor the Program Enrollment Agreements (“PEA”) AU students signed with Aspen. Closed status students (withdrawn, dismissed, etc.) will need to meet USU’s admission requirements and will need to sign a new Program Enrollment Agreement with USU; the AU PEA will not be valid.
Students enrolled and in good standing at the time of the merger will be eligible for automatic enrollment at USU and can continue working toward completion of their degree, in accordance with transition plans developed by our community in collaboration with USU.
At the time of the merger, students who are enrolled or admitted to AU (including a student on an approved leave of absence) and in good academic, financial, and disciplinary standing will receive individualized guidance to ensure they have pathways toward degree completion. Students meeting these criteria will be eligible for automatic enrollment at USU for 12 months after the completion of the merger. Students who were dismissed or withdrawn from AU prior to the merger will not be automatically eligible to enroll in USU as part of the academic integration process. Students in a closed status (withdrawn) may apply to USU and will need to meet USU’s admission requirements and will sign a new Program Enrollment Agreement. When the merger is completed, AU students will be subject to USU academic and student conduct policies and procedures from that point forward.
Good standing is found in the Aspen Catalog under Academic Progress and Participation Policy. Please note, the definition will be that which is published at the time of the merger. For general purposes, a student in an “good standing” must be meeting academic progress and participation and will generally include students who are in a status of accepted, leave of absence, or enrolled at the time of merger.
A student NOT in “good standing” is not meeting academic progress or participating and includes those students who are in a closed status, including withdrawn or dismissed.
Students who are in active good standing at the time of merger, credits and grades will be ‘transferred’ and recognized by USU. AU students will not need to take any action, this will happen automatically.
Closed status students (withdrawn, dismissed, etc.) will need to meet USU’s admission requirements and will need to sign a new Program Enrollment Agreement with USU. At the point the student is admitted to USU, an evaluation of the credits will be conducted and the grades earned at AU will transfer over for the courses accepted.
Students will continue to receive academic advising from Aspen. Once the merger is approved, the USU academic advising team will support AU students. Please know, both AU and USU, our commitment to student success remains a top priority, and academic advising will remain a core service.
During the transition time, AU students must follow Aspen’s Catalog, which contains the academic policies. Once the merger is finalized and AU students become a part of USU, they will follow USU’s Catalog version that is published at the time of merger. Please note, this will be well communicated as the time approaches and ample notice will be given. Both Universities make their Catalog public:
- Aspen University Catalog: https://aspen.smartcatalogiq.com/
- United States University Catalog: https://usuniversity.smartcatalogiq.com/
As part of USU’s commitment to support the AU student community, current AU students at the time of the merger will complete their programs with the tuition from their original PEA with AU.
AU faculty and staff will continue to serve and support Aspen. Each University remains its own separate and autonomous entity through this transition period.
Please note that nothing is changing for any students for the foreseeable future. We understand that this can be a confusing time and you likely have questions or concerns. If you could please wait to contact, as the universities will be updating this website frequently and will continue to make announcements. If you have any specific questions as it relates to your program, please contact the appropriate/respectful department as you usually would.