General FAQ
Q: Who’s eligible for Tutor.com’s military programs?
Authorized patrons include students in families of:
- Active duty U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps
- Active duty/deployed U.S. Military Reservists and National Guard
- Deployed DoD civilians
- Dependent children of Wounded Warriors/Survivors
For additional details, visit the sign-up page for your service branch by clicking the corresponding “Get Help Right Now!” blue button at the right.
If you're part of the military community, but not eligible for Tutor.com for Military Families, tell us your story.
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Q: How do I get a tutor?
Go to www.tutor.com/military. Select your service and follow the directions to get a password.
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Q: When are tutors available?
24/7. Our tutors are online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can get help anytime you need it.
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Q: Are tutors available year-round?
Yes. The only days we’re closed are New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
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Q: Can I use Tutor.com from overseas?
Yes. You can use Tutor.com from any computer with Internet access, anywhere in the world.
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Q: What are the system requirements?
All you need is one of our three supported web browsers:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 or higher
- Apple Safari version 3.0
- Mozilla Firefox 2.0
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Q: What can I get help with?
Our tutors cover all math, science, social studies and English subjects from K-12 to the introductory college level. They’ll help you with homework, studying for standardized tests, or writing a paper—whatever you’re working on. Our career specialists can also help with your resume and job search.
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Q: How do I communicate with my tutor?
You and your tutor will work in our online classroom, which runs right in your web browser window. You can chat, draw on our two-way whiteboard, or upload a document to work on together. For more information on the online classroom, check out our How It Works page.
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Q: Will I need any special hardware or software to use Tutor.com?
No. You only need Microsoft Silverlight, a free web browser plugin that installs in seconds. You’ll be prompted to get Silverlight before your first session, or you can download it directly from Microsoft.
You won’t need any special hardware either. Most Tutor.com students use a traditional mouse to draw on the whiteboard, but you can use a digital pen, tablet, trackball, or any other point-and-click device if you prefer.
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Q: How do I install Microsoft Silverlight?
If you don’t have Silverlight installed on your web browser, we’ll ask you to download it before your first session. Just click the “Download Microsoft Silverlight” button and follow the four steps on screen.
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Q: Why can’t I install Microsoft Silverlight on my Mac?
Silverlight is compatible with most Macs, but some users with older models have had trouble installing the plugin. To see if your Mac is compatible, please click the Apple icon in the top left corner of your OS and select "About This Mac." A new dialog box will open, listing your computer's hardware and software specifications.
If your processor is an Intel, you shouldn't have any problems installing Silverlight. If you have a non-Intel processor, you'll need to use our Flash-based classroom instead—just click the "using our original classroom" link under "Download Microsoft Silverlight" to get started.
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Q: Why can’t I see the chat with my tutor?
The zoom level on your web browser is set too high. To fix it, end your session and follow the instructions for the web browser you’re using:
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer, click the arrow beside the magnifying glass icon in the lower right corner of your screen and select "100%."
- In Mozilla Firefox, open the "View" menu in the top toolbar, click "Zoom," and select "Reset."
- In Apple Safari, open the "View" menu in the top toolbar and click "Actual Size."
If you still can't see the chat with your tutors after resetting your zoom level, please give us a call at 800-411-1970.
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Q: What if I need technical support?
Contact us Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time at 800-411-1970 or help@tutor.com.
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The Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families program is funded by the Department of Defense MWR Library Program and Navy General Library Program. Continued Department of Defense sponsorship of this program is dependent on the availability of DoD funds.