Military Tuition Assistance vs. the GI Bill: What’s the Difference?

The military offers financial support to service members who want to pursue further education. The two most common programs are the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) and the GI Bill. There is a significant difference between them, and they represent two separate types of veteran education benefits. Although both are part of military education benefits, they serve different purposes and are used in different ways. Understanding the differences between TA and the GI Bill will help you make an informed decision about how to pay for school with military benefits. 

What are military education benefits? 

Military education benefits are educational subsidies provided by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs as a reward for members of the United States Armed Forces who are currently serving or have recently served. These benefits include tuition assistance for active-duty service members, the GI Bill for veterans, and other programs such as the Yellow Ribbon Program and scholarships for military spouses and dependents. 

What is Military Tuition Assistance (TA)? 

Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit provided by each active-duty member. TA is designed to cover tuition costs for courses taken for credit on your own time (off-duty), not during duty hours. To qualify, you must be attending an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university. They can be on base, off base, or even online. The school will be paid directly by the military, so you won’t have to pay upfront. 

Key Features of Tuition Assistance: 

It's essential to note that each branch has its own TA program, such as the Air Force or Army versions. But in general, they share these features:

• Covers up to 100% of tuition and fees for voluntary, off-duty education.
• Typically limited to $250 per semester hour and a fiscal year cap of $4,500.
• Applies to undergraduate and graduate degrees.
• Must be from regionally or nationally accredited institutions.
• Must be approved through a military education portal (e.g., ArmyIgnitED, AFVEC, etc.)
• May not be used for fees, books, or other non-tuition expenses.
• Service members must usually maintain good standing and complete courses successfully to avoid repayment.
• Does not require a service commitment after use, although some branches may have minimum time-in-service requirements. 

TA is a great choice if you’re thinking about starting or continuing your education while serving, as it lets you earn credits or a degree without using your GI Bill benefits. Most service members use Tuition Assistance for part-time enrollment while on active duty, due to work and deployment schedules.

As we mentioned, program specifics vary, so please check with each branch to understand its specific policies and requirements. You can find more information through these respective service branch websites. 

• Army Tuition Assistance Program
• Marine Corps Tuition Assistance Program
• Navy College Program
• Air Force Tuition Assistance Program
• Coast Guard Tuition Assistance Program
• Space Force Tuition Assistance Program

What is the Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program? 

You might be able to get extra money to help pay for college if your tuition costs exceed what the Defense Department Tuition Assistance program covers. The Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program can help service members pursue their professional and personal training goals, saving them money as they work towards their educational objectives. This is the Tuition Assistance Top-Up program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

What is the GI Bill?

The GI Bill, also known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, provides educational benefits to veterans who served on or after September 10, 2001. It’s designed mainly for full-time education after leaving the military (though you might be able to use it while still serving), and there’s a benefit cap that limits coverage for more expensive schools. 

Key Features of the Post 9/11 GI Bill: 

• Pays full in-state public tuition and fees.
• Provides a monthly housing allowance (MHA) and a stipend for books and supplies.
• Benefits are valid for 36 months of education.
• Applicable for college degrees, vocational training, flight school, and more.
• Dependent transferability in some cases. 

This benefit exceeds the TA benefit by offering complete financial support during your full-time studies. 

TA vs GI Bill: Which one is right for you? 

When deciding whether to use Tuition Assistance (TA) or the Post-9/11 GI Bill, it’s helpful to understand when to use each program. 

Tuition Assistance (TA): 

• For active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve members: TA is available to service members in all branches; however, eligibility rules and application procedures vary by branch. Usually, you need to be in good standing and fulfill your branch’s time-in-service requirements.
• Can be used while serving: The purpose of TA is to support the ongoing education of servicemembers in uniform. It allows you to attend college after duty hours before separation.
• Pays up to $250 a credit hour, up to $4,500 a year: These limits are generally consistent across all branches of the military, but the maximum annual cap may vary slightly. If your tuition exceeds this amount, you may need to cover the difference or explore alternative options, such as financial aid.
• Tuition only (fees, books, housing not included): TA only covers tuition costs. You will need to set aside money for books, lab fees, technology fees, or similar expenses separately.
• Ideal for part-time education while you serve: Balancing TA studies and service commitments means your time is limited. Taking one or two courses per semester with TA is ideal. It’s a great way to steadily work toward a degree while serving.
• No housing stipend or add-ons: Unlike the GI Bill, TA doesn’t cover living expenses. It’s strictly a tuition benefit.
• Used frequently to get a degree started or even completed without using GI Bill benefits: Many service members begin their education with TA to save their GI Bill benefits for more expensive programs, graduate school, or post-service full-time study.
• Minimum time in service may be required for specific branches of service: Policies will vary, but you typically need to serve for a certain number of months or years to be eligible for TA. 

Post-9/11 GI Bill: 

• Open to veterans and active-duty members who meet the requirements after Sept. 10, 2001: You must have served at least 90 days of active duty (or 30 days if discharged due to a service-connected disability) since the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to qualify.
• Applicable after separation or, in some cases, during service: Most who qualify use it after leaving the military, but some can use it while still on active duty in some instances. Doing so would forfeit specific financial benefits, such as the housing allowance.
• Pays full in-state public tuition and fees:The GI Bill covers 100% of in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. For private and out-of-state schools, it covers up to a national maximum per academic year (additional aid might be available through the Yellow Ribbon Program).
• Comes with a monthly housing allowance and book stipend: Students enrolled at least half-time receive a monthly Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) based on their school's ZIP code. They are also eligible for up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies.
• Provides up to 36 months of education assistance: This typically takes four academic years, but the duration may vary depending on enrollment patterns and the length of breaks between terms.
• For college, trade school, apprenticeships, and beyond: The G.I. Bill covers a range of programs that extend beyond traditional college degrees, including trade schools, apprenticeships, flight schools, and licensing and certification exams.
• Suitable for full-time students with military service: The combination of tuition, housing, and book support makes this perk beneficial for full-time students seeking financial help while attending school or training.
• Any eligible members who have not used their benefit may transfer their benefit to a spouse or dependent: The GI Bill also provides education benefits to dependents of active service members, veterans, reservists, and those who have died while serving. Check out our articles: How Does the GI Bill Work for Dependents, and How to Transfer the GI Bill to find out what you need to know. 

Strategically combining both benefits can help you pay for school with military benefits and reduce your out-of-pocket costs even further. TA is a popular education program among service members who use it while on active duty to get a head start on their degrees without using up their GI Bill benefits. Then, when they finish, they can apply the GI Bill to pursue more advanced degrees or training with additional financial support. 

Either way.. It's cash for college

Tuition Assistance and the GI Bill are excellent ways to help cover the cost of school using military education benefits. Choosing the right plan and knowing how to use it can make a big difference in what you pay out of pocket. For the best results, contact your ESO or a military education counselor. They can work with you to develop a plan that matches your educational goals and supports your military career.

You can also get a head start by creating a free Appily account. Then you'll have access to the largest college and scholarship database. From there, you can learn more about how military service can help you graduate debt-free from college.