Military Education Benefits User's Guide

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Did you know that you may be eligible for more than one educational benefit at a time? In fact, you can save time and money by learning how, where, and when to use them.

Military Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance program guidelines, application procedures and policies for determining eligibility vary between services.

Select one of the following links to get detailed information:

Military Education Support Programs

In addition to tuition assistance you may be eligible for service specific scholarships, college funds, and other education programs that can help you reach your goals.

To learn more about your specific education benefits, check out the following related links:


The following table highlights the most common military education benefits.

Most common military education benefits

Program

What is it?

Who is Eligible?

Benefit

Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance is a military benefit that pays the cost of tuition and some fees.

Virtually all service members are eligible. However each service branch determines its criteria for eligibility.

Tuition Assistance covers up to 100% Tuition and Fees Not to exceed:

  • $250 @ Semester Credit Hour
  • $166 @ Quarter Credit Hour

$4,500 @ Fiscal Year
*Navy has a 16 credit hour Annual Limit.

Tuition Assistance "Top-Up" Program

An additional benefit intended to supplement other tuition assistance programs.

To be eligible for the Top-up benefit, the person must be approved for federal Tuition Assistance by a military department and be eligible for GI Bill benefits.

The amount of the benefit is limited to the amount that a person would receive for the same course if regular GI Bill benefits were being paid.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months (4 regular school years) of education benefits to eligible servicemembers and veterans for:

  • College, Business
  • Technical or Vocational Courses
  • Correspondence Courses
  • Apprenticeship/Job Training
  • Flight Training
Servicemembers (Active Duty, Guard and Reserve) and Veterans who have served at least 90 days on active duty since 9/10/2001.

Paid Tuition and Fees, Living (Housing) Stipend and Book Stipend.

Benefits are tiered based on number of days on active duty.

Some limitations apply to those currently on active duty.

Benefits can be transferred to spouse or family member.

Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty & Veteran

MGIB provides up to 36 months (4 regular school years) of education benefits to eligible servicemembers and veterans for:

  • College, Business
  • Technical or Vocational Courses
  • Correspondence Courses
  • Apprenticeship/Job Training
  • Flight Training

Active Duty members who have served at least two years on active duty.

Veterans - there are four categories of Veteran eligibility depending on when you enlisted and how long you served on active duty.

Up to $1,928 per month for full-time institutional education.

Benefits end 10 years from the date of your last discharge or release from active duty.

Federal Student Aid

The Federal Government offers students low interest loans and grants to help finance the cost of going to school.

Virtually all citizens are eligible. However the program is needs based, so certain income limits can apply.

The loans and grants are capped each fiscal year and depend on your personal economic circumstances..

Scholarships

Scholarships can come in the form of direct cash, tuition payments, vouchers and waivers.

Each scholarship has its own set of eligibility criteria.

Scholarships can range from as little as $50 dollar book vouchers to full rides paying for tuition room and board.

Find More Military-Friendly Scholarships 

Find more cash for school or get the lowdown on scholarships and education help available for your family. FastWeb can help. Visit FastWeb.com to have education tips and benefits updates delivered directly to your inbox.

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