Military Tuition Assistance

As a current member of the military, you have a variety of financial resources, such as the Federal Military Tuition Assistance Program and the Top-Up benefit, that are designed to help pay for your education.

The Federal Military Tuition Assistance Program

Before you can apply for Federal Military Tuition Assistance, you'll first need to visit your installation's education office. There, you'll receive college counseling to assist you in developing an education plan. Once that's done, you can submit your Military Tuition Assistance request.

In order to be considered for Military Tuition Assistance, you'll need to submit a completed authorization form to your Military University Representative at least two weeks before your class start date.

Depending on your branch, you may be eligible to receive up to 100% Federal Tuition Assistance from military service, with a $250 cap per semester hour and a $4,500 annual limit.

The Top-Up Benefit

If you're eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB) Active Duty or Post-9/11 GI Bill® and plan to use Military Tuition Assistance (TA), you can use the Federal Assistance Top-Up benefit to cover the difference between your college course cost and the amount that TA will cover.

To use Top-Up, you must be approved for Federal Tuition Assistance and be eligible for Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty benefits or Post-9/11 GI Bill®. To be eligible for MGIB benefits, you must be an MGIB - Active Duty participant and have served at least two full years on Active Duty.

The amount of the benefit is limited to the amount you would receive for the same course if regular Montgomery GI Bill® benefits were being paid. In no case can the amount paid by the military combined with the amount paid by VA be more than the total cost of the course.

If you receive the Top-up benefit, your regular VA benefits will be reduced. The amount of entitlement charged for Top-Up payments for MGIB is determined by dividing the amount of the payment by your full-time monthly rate.

The benefit is available for all courses that began on or after October 30th, 2000. A copy of an approved Tuition Assistance Authorization form for the course is required. If you have not requested VA benefits before, you can apply online on the Department of Veteran Affairs website by filling out your VA Form 22-1990, Application for Educational Benefits.

Additional Military Tuition Assistance Resources

Select your specific branch of service for more information on the Tuition Assistance program:

• AIR FORCE: If this is your first time setting up tuition assistance, or if you have relocated to a new base, you may need additional documents to complete the military TA process. Please contact your direct Supervisor or your Air Force Education Center office for more information. Additional information can be found on the Air Force Education Services Programs website.


• ARMY: Mayfield College students in the U.S. Army can use the automated portal of the Army Continuing Education System (ACES) for streamlined course enrollment. To ensure your Military TA voucher is accurate, you must obtain correct course information from your military admissions advisor. For more information about the automated TA process, visit the armyignited.com website.


• NAVY: If this is your first time setting up tuition assistance, or if you have relocated to a new base, you may need additional educational counseling from your Navy College Office in person, by phone or via email. Please contact your direct Supervisor or Navy College Office for more information. To ensure your TA voucher is accurate, you must secure a statement of fees notice from your military admissions advisor. Additional information can be found on the Navy Tuition Assistance Overview website.


• MARINES: First-time students must complete a TA Orientation Class PRIOR to using TA. Marines at remote sites (non-Marine Corps installations) may access the course by visiting usmc-mccs.org. All others: Please proceed to your local base Lifelong Learning or Education Office. Marines must apply for and receive written authorization for TA through the appropriate education office prior to enrollment. To ensure your TA voucher is accurate, you must secure a statement of fees notice from your military admissions advisor. Proper signatures from your Education Services Officer (ESO) and Command Representative are required. Additional information can be found on the Marines Tuition Assistance Support website.

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 https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call (760) 328-5554, or email FA@mayfieldcollege.edu.

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