Is There More Money to Help with Out-of-Pocket Tuition Costs?
Veterans, service members and their dependents are eligible for various educational benefits. One that is great for service members is Tuition Assistance (TA), which is open to all branches. TA pays up to $250 per semester hour and up to $4,500 per fiscal year for branches within the Department of Defense. Those in the Coast Guard have an annual cap set at $3,750.
Sometimes, TA isn't enough to cover a course or a rigorous academic load. That's where Tuition Assistance Top-Up can be helpful. Top-Up allows the VA to make educational payments to reimburse the course charges not paid for by Tuition Assistance. Here's more information about the money available to help with out-of-pocket tuition costs.
Who is eligible for Tuition Assistance Top-Up?
Active-duty service members may be eligible for Top-Up if they are approved for Tuition Assistance and qualify for GI Bill®️ benefits and the course and fees are more than TA will cover.
How does it work?
When using Tuition Assistance and Tuition Assistance Top Up, the VA can pay up to 100% of your out-of-pocket tuition expenses for as many months as you have left in your GI Bill®️ entitlements – up to 36 months. Using the GI Bill®️ with the Top-Up works slightly differently. At that point, you'll be charged a month of benefits for each payment made to the school.
Once the school and program are approved and you've notified them that you are using TA, the school will need to certify your enrollment. Then they reduce the tuition and fees they report to the VA by the amount Tuition Assistance covers. The VA then pays out any remaining tuition and book stipend that you are due.
What are the benefits?
The benefit is additional tuition funding and avoiding paying out of pocket. It works a few different ways, though. Using the Montgomery GI Bill®️, you'll get the difference between the course and the DoD payment. No extra money will be given; the difference will be paid. If you use the Post-9/11 GI Bill®️, the DoD will pay the school the difference.
Will it affect my GI Bill®️ benefits if I use Top-Up?
Yes, when using the Top-Up program, you'll be charged months of your GI Bill®️ benefits when using the Top-Up program. Using your education benefits separately is ideal for getting the most out of them. Use the GI Bill®️ Comparison Tool and talk with an education advisor before making the decision. If you plan to continue your education after the military, you may want to keep your GI Bill®️ for that.
What are the next steps to use these benefits?
Request Tuition Assistance from your branch of service and meet with your education counselor.
Formally apply for VA benefits
Ensure your school and program are approved to receive VA benefits (GGU does!)
Contact GGU's school certifying official and ask they formally submit your enrollment for VA benefits.
Learn more about how practical degrees and flexible scheduling make GGU the perfect fit for military-connected students.