Military Tuition Assistance FAQ

One of the benefits of serving in the military is the opportunity to earn money for college. As distance learning continues to increase in accessibility and popularity, colleges and universities continue to offer greater varieties of degree and certification programs.

More than ever, servicemembers can have the opportunity to complete their degree no matter how many times the military may relocate them.

• 1 How much money can I get for classes through Tuition Assistance (TA)?

  The most recently established semester hour cap (as of this writing, July 2010) is $250 per credit hour with an annual ceiling cap of $4,500. For undergraduate degrees, Armed Forces TA will usually pay 100 percent of the tuition and authorized fees charged by a college up to the semester hour cap and annual ceiling. Many schools offer servicemembers a tuition rate that is designed to be entirely covered by this benefit, sometimes while including books and even a computer.

• 2 At which schools can I take classes? Can they be online courses?

  TA is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning. Courses must be offered by colleges that are accredited by accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A list of approved accrediting agencies may be found here.

• 3 What sort of classes can I use TA for?

  The answer to this varies, but generally, you may use TA for the following:

  • To finish a high school diploma or GED.
  • To complete certificate work.
  • To obtain a bachelor's or master's degree.

  You cannot use tuition assistance for the following:

  • A second degree at the same level as one you've already earned.
  • Anything beyond a master's degree, like an Education Specialist or doctorate.
  • Depending on which branch of the Armed Forces, continuing education classes.
• 4 Will TA pay for anything besides courses?

  That depends on which branch of the Armed Forces to which you belong. Tuition assistance usually covers only mandatory fees that are directly associated with enrolling in a course. Sometimes this means lab, computer, and enrollment fees. Fees such as graduation fees and school application fees are not covered by TA.

• 5 Can I use TA to get a doctoral degree?

  No. TA can't be used for any programs beyond a master's degree, like doctorates. However, other military education benefits, like the Montgomery G.I. Bill, can be used for this.

• 6 Is there a limit as to how many courses I can take at once?

  Yes. Your base's education officer can limit your course load.

• 7 Is Tuition Assistance a loan?

  TA is not a loan; it should be viewed as money you have earned just like your base pay. This is one reason is it wise to use this benefit rather than take out student loans.

• 8 How will using TA affect my taxes?

  Money from TA is treated and taxed just like extra income.

• 9 Does TA money go to me or the school?

  This money is usually paid directly to the institution, but this varies.

• 10 What happens if I fail a class that TA paid for?

  If you fail a course, whether because of poor grades or for absences that are not military or emergency-related, you will have to repay TA the money provided for the course.

• 11 Can I retake a class that TA paid for if I failed it?

  Yes, but only once you have repaid TA for the course. You can't use TA to retake a course that you passed, even if you aren't happy with your grade.

• 12 How do I withdraw from a course that TA paid for?

  This varies quite a bit between military branches. In the Army, for instance, all withdrawals must take place through the GoArmyEd web site, which then forwards the withdrawal to the school. In the Coast Guard, you must withdraw from the school, then fill out Form CG-1530 with the details of your withdrawal and turn it in to your unit ESO, who will then see to it that your course is dropped from the Coast Guard TA system. Because the policies vary so widely, it's best to check with your unit education center or office to learn more.

• 13 Will I need to complete a service obligation if I use TA?

  Yes. By law, officers incur an Active Duty service obligation (ADSO) of two years when they use TA. The ADSO is calculated from the date of completion of the last course for which TA was used. When utilizing TA as a reservist, the service commitment differs. Check with your education office for details.

• 14 Can the mandatory service obligation be waived?

  This differs from branch to branch. For instance, in the Army, only the HRC Commanding General has the authority to waive the TA Active Duty service obligation. Ask at your base's education office.

• 15 What other kinds of financial assistance, besides TA, might I be eligible for if I'm on Active Duty?

  You might be eligible for the Montgomery G.I. Bill, G.I. Bill Top Up, G.I. Bill Kicker, Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, Student Loan Repayment, as well as normal Federal financial aid programs and private scholarships and grants. Please see our military education benefits section to learn more.

• 16 What is the Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB)?

  The MGIB provides Active Duty members up to $1101 monthly for as long as 36 months for use as full time students. In order to get these benefits, you forfeit $100 of your pay for 12 months, which is still a great tradeoff for free education. If you only plan on going to school part-time, your benefit will be adjusted accordingly.

  You can use the MGIB benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses if the veteran is enrolled full-time.

  MGIB can be used while you're active, but as each branch of the military offers its own education benefits for Active Duty members (like Tuition Assistance), most wait to use MGIB benefits until after separation, discharge or retirement.

  MGIB benefits may usually be used up to 10 years from the date of last discharge or release from Active Duty.

  Please see our military education benefits section to learn more about MGIB, related programs, and other programs that can help servicemembers pay for their higher education.

• 17 Are there other benefits that are related to MGIB?

  Yes! There are several, including the following:

  • If you agree to serve in a specific job within the military, you may be eligible for an MGIB Kicker, which can increase the value of your MGIB benefit to double what it would otherwise be.
  • Through a program called MGIB Buy Up, if you are willing to add just $20 of additional money when paying into MGIB, you can receive nine times that amount back as an increase in your MGIB benefit. Since you can buy up for up to thirty months, that $600 can become $5400 when it's time to pay for your education.
  • If you have served on Active Duty for at least two years, you may elect to use MGIB Top Up in addition to TA to cover high cost courses. You must serve at least two years on Active Duty before being able to use Chapter 30 MGIB benefits, including Top Up.

  There are also education benefits not related to MGIB and TA. Please see our military education benefits section to learn more.