Military Service Tuition Assistance Programs

The U.S. Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to 100% of the tuition expenses of its members.

Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services.

Also, a service member eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is allowed to elect to receive MGIB benefits for all or a portion of the remaining expenses if a service department pays less than 100% of the tuition and expenses.

The U.S. Air Force provides its members with up to $4,500 per fiscal year in reimbursements. Tuition Assistance benefits cover costs of approved postsecondary courses offered by postsecondary institutions accredited by a national or regional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education, like the ISSA.

The U.S. Navy’s Tuition Assistance program provides active duty personnel with a percentage of the tuition costs for courses taken in an off-duty status at an accredited college, university, or vocational/technical institution leading to a certificate, associate, bachelors, masters, doctoral, or professional degree. Tuition Assistance benefits are capped at $4,500 per individual per fiscal year and can be used for both classroom and independent study/distance learning courses.

The Tuition Assistance program for the U.S. Marine Corps reimburses servicemen 100% of tuition costs for postsecondary education from vocational certificate through graduate study. These benefits are capped at $250 per semester hour, to a maximum of $4,500 for the fiscal year. Marine Corps Tuition Assistance also covers the costs of independent study and distance learning courses, based on the length of the program.

U.S. Army Tuition Assistance is authorized on a course-by-course basis only for courses that are part of a soldier’s educational goal. Tuition Assistance may be used to defray tuition costs, instructional fees, and laboratory or shop fees. The Army will reimburse 100% for courses leading to a postsecondary credential, certificate, or licensure, not to exceed the established dollar limit per semester hour or equivalent.

Finally, eligible spouses and surviving spouses of certain veterans enrolled in degree or certificate programs, including correspondence programs, may be eligible for education benefits through the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program (DEA) (Chapter 35). The VA offers up to 45 months of assistance to dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related conduction. DEA will pay 55% of the approved charges for a vocational non-degree correspondence program. Spouses enrolled in degree programs receive monthly payments based on their training time.