Does the Military Provide 100 Percent Tuition Assistance?

There are certain benefits military members receive for their service to the country. A common question asked by members, or prospective members, is about one hundred percent MILITARY TUITION ASSISTANCE. It is a hard question to answer completely since each branch of the military has different guidelines for assistance and eligibility.

army

The Army offers assistance that normally covers the cost of tuition and basic fees. There are a few exceptions to the ‘100 percent’ tuition assistance, however. The student will have to cover any costs that go over the $250 limit for a semester credit hour and/or costs over the $166 limit for each quarter credit hour or the maximum of $ 4,500 per fiscal year.

Air Force

The Air Force has similar guidelines, but it differs slightly in the fact that this branch offers 75 percent tuition assistance along with the 100 percent tuition assistance. These two types of assistance do not work together or at the same time. It offers, instead, a way for an airman to qualify when they might not meet the required qualifications for tuition assistance otherwise.

Other Branches

The Navy, Marines and Coast Guard also offer tuition assistance, but they fall within the same guidelines as the Army and Air Force. The main difference between is how members qualify for tuition assistance. The Coast Guard, for example, extends their tuition benefits to civilian employees.

Both the Army National Guard offer tuition assistance. The Army National Guard allows 75 percent tuition assistance not to exceed $200 per semester hour, or $133 per quarter hour, up to $4,000 annually. The Army Reserves offers 100 percent tuition assistance for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Tuition assistance cannot exceed $187.50 per semester hour, or $125 per quarter hour, up to $3,500 annually.

The Air National Guard offers 75 percent tuition assistance not to exceed $187.50 per semester hour, or $125 per quarter hour, up to $1,000 annually. The Air Force Reserves give 100 percent tuition assistance for undergraduate degree programs. Tuition assistance is limited to $250 per semester hour, or $166.67 per quarter hour, up to $4,500 annually.

The Coast Guard Reserves offer tuition assistance for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Tuition assistance cannot exceed $250 per semester hour, or $166.67 per quarter hour up to $4,500 annually.

The Navy and Marine Corps Reserves do not currently offer a tuition assistance program.

Who to Contact

Service members have several resources available to answer questions about tuition assistance. The local recruiter for each branch can explain the ins and outs of that particular branches tuition assistance. They are trained to know the facts about military benefits since these are areas that help enlisting new personnel.

Universities and colleges also have people in their financial aid offices that are specifically appointed to handle military tuition assistance. The tuition assistance will, in most circumstances, be paid directly to the school. These workers will not only be able to answer questions about the tuition assistance, but will also be able to get the paperwork started.

The country’s military members are very deserving of educational assistance. Although there are differences between the branches, as to how their MILITARY TUITION ASSISTANCE programs work, they all help service members to continue their education.