27. March 2013 · Comments Off on Tuition Assistance – Gone and Back Again, Why, and What You Need to Know · Categories: Military Benefits · Tags: , , ,

There are some definite perks to military service for anyone who’s career-oriented enough to investigate their options. The assumption is that you’re pretty driven in making a successful career if you’re on this site, so chances are good that this applies to you.

Tuition Assistance has been around for a while now, providing 100% tuition college for active duty personnel in every branch, alleviating the need for soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen to tap into their GI Bill funds before they leave the service, or are ready to take advantage of that benefit. This is a awesome program that many veterans wish they’d taken greater advantage of while they were active duty (myself included). Nevertheless, it’s something to look into as soon as you get to your final duty station – it’s not an option during basic training because you’ll be too busy, and although it is possible during technical training, it’s generally frowned upon. Your command expects you to first learn your craft before embarking on your extra-military education.

Each year, you’re allowed as much as $4,500 dollars to expend on tuition. Most of the time, the check is cut and sent directly to the school, so you won’t be handling that money yourself, very similar to the post-9/11 GI Bill structure. Trust me, it’s much better that way.

Recently, as a result of the sequester – a clever budget cut was made to reinforce the (supposed) evils of budget cuts – and the powers that be placed that right where it hurt the most – military personnel. Incidentally, Air Force One costs approximately $180,000 per hour to operate, and yet we cut out military benefits in the name of (supposed) fiscal responsibility. Again, this isn’t a political blog, but there is bound to be overlap when you blog about the military. For more about this overlap, read my post about politics and the military.

Fortunately, Congress has overruled that decision as of March 23rd, restoring Tuition Assistance to those branches who had been forced to discontinue it (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the Marine Corps).

There’s some disparity from one branch to the next on what TA covers and what it doesn’t, so keep it in mind what your limits are and plan you course load accordingly. It’s also wise to consider whether course work is a viable option based on your job and command’s time constraints – especially if you end up attached to a highly mobile unit like a ship, any kind of special warfare team – the truth is, it may not even be possible if you anticipate being out at sea for months at a stretch.

Below is an overview of each branch:

 

Navy

Tuition and Fees: Navy Tuition Assistance covers 100% tuition and fees not to exceed:

  • $250 per semester credit hour
  • $166.67 per quarter credit hour
  • $16.67 per clock hour
  • Limit of 16 semester hours per fiscal year

What is covered: The Navy Tuition Assistance covers the following fees:

  • Tuition
  • Lab Fees
  • Registration/enrollment Fees
  • Miscellaneous Fees
  • Computer/technology Fees

Who is eligible: The following categories of Navy Personnel are able to use the Navy Tuition Assistance:

  • Active Duty Navy
  • Active Duty Status Navy Reserve personnel

Air Force

Tuition and Fees: Air Force Tuition Assistance covers 100% tuition and fees not to exceed:

  • $250 per semester credit hour
  • $166 per quarter credit hour
  • $4500 total for the fiscal year

What is covered: The Air Force Tuition Assistance covers the following fees:

  • Tuition
  • Lab Fees
  • Registration/enrollment Fees
  • Miscellaneous Fees
  • Computer/technology Fees

Who is eligible: The following categories of Air Force Personnel are able to use the Air Force Tuition Assistance:

  • Active Duty Air Force
  • Air Force Reserves

 


 

Marines

Tuition and Fees: Marine Corps Tuition Assistance covers 100% tuition and fees not to exceed:

  • $250 per semester credit hour
  • $166 per quarter credit hour
  • $4500 total for the fiscal year

What is covered: The Marine Corps Tuition Assistance covers the following fees:

  • Tuition
  • Lab Fees
  • Enrollment Fees
  • Special Fees
  • Computer Fees

Who is eligible: The following categories of Marine Corps Personnel are able to use the Marine Corps Tuition Assistance:

  • Active Duty Marines

 

Coast Guard

Tuition and Fees: Coast Guard Tuition Assistance covers 100% tuition and fees not to exceed:

  • $250 per semester credit hour
  • $166 per quarter credit hour
  • $4500 total for the fiscal year

What is covered: The Coast Guard Tuition Assistance covers the following fees:

  • Tuition
  • Lab Fees

Who is eligible: The following categories of Coast Guard Personnel are able to use the Coast Guard Tuition Assistance:

  • Active Duty Coast Guard
  • Selective Reserve
  • Civilian Employees

 

Army

Tuition and Fees: Army Tuition Assistance covers 100% tuition and fees not to exceed:

  • $250 per semester credit hour
  • $166 per quarter credit hour
  • $4500 total for the fiscal year

What is covered: The Army Tuition Assistance covers the following fees:

  • Tuition
  • Lab Fees
  • Enrollment Fees
  • Special Fees
  • Computer Fees

Who is eligible: The following categories of Army Personnel are able to use the Army Tuition Assistance:

  • Active Duty Army
  • Army Reserves on Active Duty Status
  • Army National Guard on Active Duty