About Tuition Assistance

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a Department of Defense (DoD) program paid to service members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard to assist with tuition expenses at higher education institutions. The VA does not administer TA. TA rules vary by branch of service and can even vary between components within the branches depending on whether the Service member is Active duty, Reserve, or National Guard. 

If a student receives education benefits from VA and receives TA benefits from the military, duplication of benefits may be an issue. The issue might involve VA regulations, DoD regulations, military branch specific regulations or all three since VA, DoD, and the military branches all have regulations about receiving VA benefits and TA at the same time. It is the student’s responsibility to speak with their case manager, and/or the VA, as necessary, to resolve such matters.

Current Tuition Assistance rules for each branch:

Air Force TA

To determine if you are eligible for this benefit, view the benefit information on the Air Force Portal.

  • Cover up to $250 per credit hour
  • Annual aggregate limit of $4,500 per fiscal year
  • May cover up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year

Apply at AIPORTAL

Army-Reserves & National Guard TA

To determine if you are eligible for this benefit, view the benefit information on the Army Ignited website.

  • Cover up to $250 per credit hour
  • Annual limit up to $4,500 per year
  • May cover up to 16 credit hours per fiscal year

Apply at Army Ignited

Coast Guard TA

To determine if you are eligible for this benefit, view the benefit information on the USCG Voluntary Education site.

  • Cover up to $250 per credit hour
  • Active Duty or Reservists on long-term orders (180 days or more) are eligible

Apply to USCG Voluntary Education

Navy TA

To determine if you are eligible for this benefit, view the benefit information on the U.S. Navy College Program website.

  • Cover up to $250 per credit hour
  • Must be on Active Duty or “Activcated Reserve”
  • May cover up to 16 credit hours per fiscal year
  • TA will only be approved after one year at duty station

Navy College Program

Marine Corps TA

To determine if you are eligible for this benefit, view the benefit information on the U.S. Marine Corps TA site.

  • Cover up to $250 per credit hour
  • Must be on Active Duty or “Activated Reservist” status
  • Annual limit of $4,500 per fiscal year
  • May cover up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year

USMC Voluntary Education