Tuition Assistance (Military) — TA
A DoD education benefit that funds up to 100% of tuition costs (up to $250/credit hour; $4,500/year) for active duty service members taking college courses.
Official source: dantes.mil
Tuition Assistance (TA) is an education benefit provided by the Department of Defense (DoD) for active duty service members. It covers up to 100% of tuition costs for college courses, with a limit of $250 per credit hour and a maximum of $4,500 per year. This program is open to all active duty branches, while Reserve and National Guard members have their own TA programs with different limits.
To use TA, service members must apply through their branch's education portal, such as GoArmyEd for the Army or AFVEC for the Air Force. It is important to check with your education office to see how TA can work alongside other benefits, like the GI Bill, as they can sometimes be used together.
Keep in mind that using TA may come with a service obligation, meaning you might need to serve longer in the military after using this benefit. If you leave the service early, you may have to repay the funds. Always read the guidelines carefully to avoid any surprises.
In real life
- A service member uses tuition assistance to pay for a criminal justice class at a local community college.
- Someone serving in the military gets tuition assistance to help pay for an online engineering degree.
- A soldier takes a night class to learn a new language, and tuition assistance covers the cost.
Also known as
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Frequently asked questions about Tuition Assistance (Military)
What is Tuition Assistance (Military)?+
A DoD education benefit that funds up to 100% of tuition costs (up to $250/credit hour; $4,500/year) for active duty service members taking college courses during off-duty hours. Available to all active duty branches; Reserve and National Guard members have separate TA programs with varying caps.
Who qualifies for Tuition Assistance (Military)?+
Eligibility rules vary. Use BK's free Benefit Eligibility Screener to see if you may qualify based on your situation.
How do I apply for Tuition Assistance (Military)?+
BenefitKarma's free Benefit Eligibility Screener can point you to the right application path.
Where can I get help?+
Use BenefitKarma's free Benefit Eligibility Screener to see what programs you may qualify for. The Find Benefits tool tool also lets you browse programs by state.
Source: dantes.mil