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Military Educational Benefits
Active Duty
The Armed Forces offers soldiers, sailors, marines, guardsman, and airmen several programs to support their education goals including up to 100% Tuition Assistance for college courses, vocational training, and certificate courses taken during off-duty hours.
Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members.
Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application processes and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services.
TA is not a loan; it should be viewed as money you have earned just like your base pay.
Follow the links for your particular service and check with your education service office before registering:
Air Force Tuition Assistance: You must apply for Tuition Assistance online using the Air Force Virtual Education Center. This must be done through the Air Force Portal at https://www.my.af.mil/. There are six steps to completing the AFVEC online TA process.
The Army Continuing Education System has launched a new automated tuition assistance project. The TA automation will allow active duty soldiers to request TA and enroll in courses online. This will speed up the enrollment process and minimize wait times at Army Education Centers. Active Duty soldiers are now able to request TA online through GoArmyEd.
The Navy Tuition Assistance Program: Receive educational counseling from your Navy College Office in person, by phone or email. Determine which courses will be requested for TA funding. Complete a TA Application form with your Navy College Office, NETPDC 1560, ensuring to list course(s) and fee(s). Receive command approval signature to enroll in the course(s).
Marines Tuition Assistance: First-time students must complete a TA Orientation Class PRIOR to using TA. Marines at remote sites (non-Marine Corps installations) may access the course by clicking on the TA Orientation link below. All others: Please proceed to your local base Lifelong Learning or Education Office. Marines must apply for and receive written authorization for TA through the appropriate education office, PRIOR to enrollment. Use form NETPDTC 1560. TA for remote Marines and those assigned to other service sites is processed at Camp Lejeune for those east of the Mississippi and Camp Pendleton for those west of the Mississippi. I-I duty Marines apply through MARFORRES, New Orleans. Recruiters apply via their recruiting district or region headquarters.
TA Orientation for Marines (Word format [Word Doc.]) (PDF format [PDF]) (Zipped file). To save to disk, right click and select "Save Target As. When you have completed the orientation please fill out and print the certification form using the link below. Certification Form
The Coast Guard Institute approves the TA Application (CG-4147) [PDF], inputs data into the Navy's computer database, and issues the TA Authorization form (CGI-1560). The applicant then takes the CGI-1560 to the academic institution during registration; the institution bills the Navy (NETPDTC) for payment of the government's share of tuition assistance. However, the Cost Guard only approves academic credit programs for tuition assistance. Please consult with the CGI for further assistance.
National Guard Tuition Assistance:
ARNG FTA operates on a limited budget and is NOT a guaranteed benefit. It is offered on a first come, first served basis. Visit the National Guard Virtual Armory website to access the National Guard Federal Tuition Assistance online application.
Air National Guard: Although not all states offer payment of TA, Many states have additional tuition incentives, which are offered at varying amounts. You can visit the Air National Guard ANG Benefits website to determine which benefits your state offers.
Air Force Tuition Assistance (Activated Guard and Reserve): If activated you will become eligible for the Air Force Tuition Assistance for Active Duty and Activated Reserve/Guard.