How Does Military Tuition Assistance Work?

Joining the military offers various benefits, with free college tuition being among the biggest draws. Through the military tuition assistance (TA) program, eligible service members can work toward a degree without worrying about incurring a massive amount of debt. 

But first, what is military tuition assistance? How does tuition assistance work? And what does it look like across the different branches? We answer these questions (and plenty more!) in this post, so read on. 

What Is Military Tuition Assistance and How Does It Work?

Military tuition assistance is a program created by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) that pays up to 100 percent of tuition expenses for eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. National Guard members and reservists can also receive benefits through the program based on their service eligibility. 

The program covers tuition and course-specific fees (e.g., laboratory fees) for undergraduate, graduate, vocational, licensure, certificate, and language courses, whether online or in-person. You can also use military tuition assistance to complete your high school education. 

To receive TA benefits, eligible service members must apply and use them for an approved program. You must also meet other requirements, such as maintaining a minimum GPA and incurring a service commitment. 

Military Tuition Assistance Program Eligibility

Each branch has its own criteria for who is eligible to receive military tuition assistance and the conditions under which service members can remain eligible. In general, active-duty officers, service members, and those in the Selected Reserves can receive tuition assistance. 

Service members must also maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 (“C” average) or higher for undergraduate courses and 3.0 (“B” average) for graduate courses. 

The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the eligibility criteria for each branch of the military.

*SELRES = Selective Reservist

*EAS = End of Active Service 

What Are the Rates for Military Tuition Assistance? 

The current rates for military tuition assistance are 100 percent of tuition and fees, as long as they don’t exceed: 

• $250 per semester hour
• $166 per quarter hour
• $4,500 per fiscal year 

Note that TA funding is expected to be constrained for the rest of fiscal year 2025, according to the Navy College Program website. 

Funds are paid directly to the institution on your behalf. If your tuition exceeds the amount covered by the TA program, you may be able to receive more money through the Tuition Assistance Top-Up program.

How to Apply for Military Tuition Assistance in 5 Steps 

Each service has its own process for applying for TA benefits. But, the general steps are to: 

1) Visit the Education Center 

Your installation’s Education Center will be the best source of information on the tuition assistance program. Representatives at the center can assist you in selecting the best program for your educational and career goals. 

You can find your local Education Center by visiting the Defense Department’s Military OneSource website. The site’s “MilitaryINSTALLATIONS” resource allows you to search for adult education centers by your state, ZIP code, or the name of your installation. 

2) Choose an Eligible Program

Find and apply for a program that aligns with your goals. Keep in mind that not all programs are eligible for tuition assistance. 

Fortunately, the Defense Department offers the TA DECIDE tool, which helps TA program participants find approved education programs that match their interests. The tool allows you to search programs by name, school type, degree level, state, and more. 

You can also view information on each program’s cost, the number of TA-funded courses offered, and the TA course completion rate. 

3) Complete Required Training

Most military branches require service members to complete online training before applying for tuition assistance. The training covers the TA program and how to apply for benefits.  

The platform hosting this training typically varies by branch. For example: 

• Army: ArmyIgnitED
• Navy: MyNavy Education
• Marine Corps: WebTA
• Air Force: Air Force Virtual Education Center
• Space Force: Air Force Virtual Education Center
• Coast Guard: MyCG Ed 

After completing the training, keep a copy of your results for future reference. 

4) Submit Education Plan and Tuition Assistance Application 

Obtain a copy of your education plan from your chosen institution. Then, upload it to the platform. Make sure your plan includes the following information: 

• School name
• Student name
• Degree level and major
• All courses required for certificate or degree completion
• Documented transfer credits (required for official education plan) 

Once your education plan has been reviewed and approved, apply for tuition assistance using your branch’s online platform.  

5) Print the Voucher and Submit It to Your Institution 

After the Education Center approves your application, you’ll receive a TA voucher. 

Print and forward it to your school to authorize payment. If you start a course without submitting an authorized voucher, you’ll have to pay for the course yourself. 

Is There Tuition Assistance for Military Spouses and Children?  

Yes! The main forms of tuition assistance for military spouses and children are transferred GI Bill benefits and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. 

An active service member can transfer their GI Bill benefits to a spouse or child, provided they meet specific criteria.

With transferred GI Bill benefits, an eligible spouse or child can get money to pay for:

• Tuition
• Housing
• Books and supplies
• Fees for national standardized tests
• Fees for licensing and certifications

The child or spouse of certain veterans or service members can also receive DEA or Chapter 35 benefits. For the dependent to receive benefits, the veteran or service member and their dependent must meet certain criteria. 

You can view these criteria on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s Chapter 35 web page.

Through the DEA program, eligible military spouses and children can receive a monthly payment to cover the cost of school or expenses associated with on-the-job training. They can also use the benefits for work-study and distance-learning programs.

Find your military-friendly match with Appily 

Now that you understand how military TA works, you can make an informed decision about paying for your education. With a free Appily account, you can explore different schools, including colleges that support military-affiliated students, and choose the best one for you. 

Click the button below to sign up and find your military-friendly match.