| In support of continued education, the Armed Forces | | | | QCH, and 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours or |
| offers its service members several programs, | | | | 240 clock hours) per year. |
| including up to 100 percent of tuition assistance (TA) | | | | Marines |
| for college classes, vocational training, and certificate | | | | First-time students are required to complete a TA |
| courses taken during their off-duty hours. | | | | Orientation Class before using funds. Marines in |
| Military TA is a benefit paid to those who serve in | | | | remote locations (non Marine Corps installations) may |
| the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast | | | | access the course online. Once enrolled for the |
| Guard. Each branch has its own criteria for eligibility, | | | | program, he or she must submit a degree plan |
| required service, procedures and restrictions. | | | | before exceeding 12 semester hours. |
| Payment caps are the same for the Air Force, Army, | | | | Marine Tuition Assistance will cover up to 100 percent |
| Marines and Coast Guard TA: $250 per Semester | | | | of charges for tuition, instructional fees, laboratory |
| Credit Hour, $166 per Quarter Credit Hour, and | | | | fees, computer fees and mandatory enrollment fees |
| $4,500 per fiscal year. | | | | combined for postsecondary schooling, from |
| Here’s a brief overview of benefits available to | | | | vocational certification through graduate study. |
| each branch of service: | | | | Funds are not approved for payment of books or |
| Air Force | | | | courses toward a lateral or lower degree than you |
| Air Force Tuition assistance provides 100 percent of | | | | already have. Officers who utilize TA must remain |
| tuition and fees for courses taken by active duty | | | | on active duty for two years after a funded course |
| personnel. In fact, this education assistance program | | | | is finished. |
| is one of the most frequent reasons given for | | | | Coast Guard |
| enlisting and re-enlisting. | | | | Coast Guard TA offers eligible personnel, including |
| Candidates must apply for assistance online using the | | | | active duty, reserve and civilian employees, funding |
| Air Force Virtual TA Education Center. Log on to | | | | for courses to expand their academic or Coast Guard |
| and complete the six steps. | | | | technical background. |
| Army | | | | The managing of TA is centralized at the US Coast |
| The Army’s program is open to nearly all soldiers | | | | Guard Institute through a processing system run by |
| on active duty (officers, warrant officers, enlisted) as | | | | the US Naval Education and Training Professional |
| well as Army National Guard and Army Reserve on | | | | Development and Technology Center. After |
| active duty. There are some restrictions as to who | | | | approving the application, the USCGI inputs the data |
| may use Army TA and courses it can be used | | | | and issues the TA Authorization form which the |
| for. | | | | applicant then takes to the academic institution during |
| A new automated TA project has been launched | | | | registration. |
| that enables active duty soldiers to request | | | | Eligibility and benefits are standard across the board |
| assistance and enroll in classes online. For more | | | | for active duty, civilian employees, select drilling |
| information about the new process, go to where you | | | | reserve members and Public Health Service offices |
| can also find out more about eligibility requirements. | | | | working with the Coast Guard. TA will be approved |
| Navy | | | | “upfront” for traditional college coursework |
| Navy Tuition Assistance is available to Naval Officer | | | | (resident or remote) for classes less than 18 weeks |
| and Enlisted active duty personnel as well as Naval | | | | long. Courses must be taken from an accredited |
| Reservists who are on continuous active duty. | | | | institution, and funds can not be used toward |
| It’s also offered to Enlisted Naval Reservists | | | | reimbursement for books. |
| ordered to active duty for 120 days, and to Naval | | | | Reserves |
| Reservist Officers ordered to active duty for a | | | | Many members of the Selective Reserves are eligible |
| minimum of two years. | | | | for TA., called Army Reseve Tuition Assistance. |
| To qualify, an applicant must: | | | | However, each service branch determines how to |
| - be on active duty throughout the duration of | | | | administer its own assistance. Also, many states |
| the course | | | | offer their own incentives for National Guard service |
| - attend an accredited institution | | | | members. For more information, log on to |
| - get counseling from the Navy College Office | | | | For the latest details concerning Military Tuition |
| - provide all grades from previously funded TA | | | | Assistance benefits and procedures, please visit your |
| courses | | | | education counseling office. |
| - agree (if an officer) to stay on active duty for | | | | This article is based on publicly-accessible information |
| at least two years after completing any funded | | | | and has not been reviewed or approved by any |
| course | | | | military branch. |
| Payment is not to exceed $260 per SCH, $166 per | | | | |