Tuition Assistance, Tuition Assistance Top-Up and VA Benefits

There are significant differences between Tuition Assistance, Tuition Assistance TOP-UP, and how Tuition Assistance interacts with VA benefits.

Tuition Assistance – Education payments, in whole or part, made by the Armed Services to an individual on active duty.

Tuition Assistance TOP-UP (TATU) – Educational payments made by the VA which reimburse an individual for course charges not paid by the Armed Forces. There is no provision for TATU under MGIB-SR, or VEAP.

Both Tuition Assistance and the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) benefit can be used for applicable courses for approved programs of education. This is not Tuition Assistance TOP-UP.

Tuition Assistance cannot be used with any VA benefits other than the Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty and the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. The Department of Defense (DoD) no longer authorizes federal Tuition Assistance for MGIB-SR or VEAP. 

 

Tuition Assistance and Approved Programs

 

The Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty and Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits can only be paid toward courses when both the school and program are approved for VA benefits. You can determine if a school and program are approved by:

1) visiting the GI Bill® Comparison Tool

va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool

2) visiting the Public Web Enabled Approval Management System 

https://inquiry.vba.va.gov/weamspub

3) Contacting your school’s School Certifying Official.

 

How does Department of Defense tuition assistance work with tuition assistance top-up?

 

When you use Tuition Assistance and Tuition Assistance TOP-UP to pay for courses, the VA can pay up to 100% of your out of pocket tuition and fees costs, up to the Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Veteran monthly rate at the applicable training time.  

Entitlement charges for Tuition Assistance TOP-UP is prorated based on the cost of the course(s). Students are limited to 36 months of Tuition Assistance TOP-UP which is charged based on the length of the student’s term (regardless of training time).  This limitation is made separately for the Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty entitlement charge and should be provided in all letters the student receives. If you have questions about how much Tuition Assistance TOP-UP time you have remaining or if you have questions about how much remaining Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty entitlement you have – you can always contact the VA.

 

 

How does Department of Defense tuition assistance work with the post 9/11 GI bill® benefit?

 

If both the school and program are approved, you should contact the facility’s School Certifying Official, notify them that you are receiving Tuition Assistance, and have them certify your enrollment. The School Certifying Official will reduce the tuition and fees they report to VA by the amount received from the military service Tuition Assistance. The VA will then issue any remaining tuition and fees and books stipend that you are due. These payments will follow normal Post 9/11 GI Bill® rules and entitlement. For more information on how entitlements are charged please visit www.va.gov/education/about-gi  -bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/tutor-assistance/.

 

What do I need to do to be eligible for tuition assistance?

 

You need to request Tuition Assistance from your branch of service and see your Education Services Officer or Education Counselor.

 

What do I need to do to in order to use VA benefits to supplement my tuition assistance?

 

You need to do the following:

1. Formally apply for VA benefits.

2. Review your school and program to make sure they are approved to  receive VA benefits.

3. Contact the School Certifying Official at your school and ask that they formally submit your enrollment for VA benefits.

 

Is there a “TA approval” form I have to submit?

 

No. Previously the VA used a “TA Approval” form, but current procedures rely on your school submitting your enrollment information. If you are receiving Tuition Assistance, your School Certifying Official is responsible for providing the correct information to VA.

 

Our Education Call Center is available at 1-888-442-4551, or 001-918-781-5678 if calling from overseas, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. (CST) for any questions about GI Bill® benefits.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gibillEducation and follow us on Twitter @VAVetBenefits.

 

More information about VA education benefits are available at www.va.gov/education/.

 

This information was updated in November 2022

 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill