Military Tuition Assistance

Benefit highlights:

Contact your Education Center for eligibility requirements or visit MyArmyBenefits.

• $250 per credit hour; fiscal year cap of $4,000
• Maximum 16 credit hours per Army fiscal year (based on the start date of the course)
  • Classes that begin in September should be requested by Sept. 1 to be approved for the current fiscal year (deadline may vary slightly each year and there are no exceptions to the deadline)
  • Classes that begin after Oct. 1 are on the next fiscal year, regardless of when TARs are submitted
• Soldiers are limited to:
  • 130 credit hours to complete one bachelor’s degree
  • 39 credit hours to complete one master’s degree
  • 21 credit hours to complete one academic certificate. Soldiers may now choose only one lifetime academic certificate - either undergraduate or graduate - not both. 
• Officers who use this program may incur a service obligation

Application dates:

• Window open - 60 days before term start
• Last day to request - 7 days before term start (includes processing time). TA is NOT flexible. Soldier compliance with both documentation AND timing requirements is essential to receive approval/funding.

Steps to using TA:

• Once you are accepted to KU and have your KU student ID number, create an ArmyIgnitED account.
  • All you need is your CAC to create an account.
  • The preferred web browser is Firefox.
  • Soldiers with ArmyIgnitED system access ques tions should contact their Army Education Center.
• Complete the Virtual Benefits Training
• Create your Educational Goal
  • Can't find your KU degree program in AI? Contact us and we will get it loaded into the AI Portal.
• Upload your EDP:
  • Undergraduate students: Submit your Degree Progress Report (DPR)
  • Leavenworth students: Work with Sarah Weygand or Lucas Schmalbeck to get your EDP
  • Other graduate students: Work with your advisor to get your EDP
• Submit your TA request (TAR). Manually enter your courses in ArmyIgnitED.
  • Be sure to double check that you list the exact start/end dates for each class! Those dates are in your Enroll & Pay account. Not sure where to look in Enroll & Pay? Visit the help page and look for the "class schedule" cheat sheet under "academics." Incorrect start/end dates cannot be invoiced and TA will NOT be applied to your KU bill.
• After Army approves TA, we will push your tuition/fee deadline back to Dec. 15 (Fall), May 15 (Spring), Aug. 15 (Summer). As of Fall 2024, you do not need to send KU your TARs. You will need to pay your remaining bill by those end-of-semester deadlines to avoid late fees and holds.

How to find/contact your Education Center in ArmyIgnitED 2.0:

• Log in to view your Ed Center's contact info (click "view details" in the upper right quadrant of ArmyIgnitED dashboard).
• You can also submit a message to your Ed Center by clicking the email icon on the top menu bar.

Issues? Please contact the ArmyIgnitED help desk at 1-800-817-9990.

Benefit highlights:

More information is on the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) portal or at your base Education Center.

• Up to $250 per credit hour; fiscal year cap of $3,750
• Maximum of 18 credit hours per fiscal year
• Limited to 124 credit hours to complete one bachelor’s degree and 42 credit hours to complete one master’s degree

Application dates:

• Window open - 45 days before term start
• Last day to request - 7 days before term start

How to get a degree plan:

• Undergraduate students: Submit your Degree Progress Report (DPR)
• Graduate students: Work with your advisor to get your EDP

Degree program/courses:

• Manually enter your courses in AFVEC.
  • Double check that you list the correct course dates! You will find those dates in your Enroll & Pay account. Not sure where to look in Enroll & Pay? Visit the help page and look for the "class schedule" cheat sheet under "academics." Listing incorrect dates could affect your TA benefits.
• Can't find your KU degree program in AFVEC? Contact us and we will get it loaded into the system.

Benefit highlights:

More information is on the Navy College Program portal or at your base Education Center.

• Up to $250 per credit hour; fiscal year cap of $4,500
• Maximum of 18 credit hours per fiscal year
• Limited to 120 credit hours
• Must have a minimum of three years of time in service

Application Dates:

• Window open - 120 days before term start
• Last day to request - 14 days before term start

Applying (more details at Navy College):

• Inform your command.
• Complete required training.
• Receive Navy education counseling; establish an education plan.
• Submit education plan; review with Navy College counselor.
• Submit TA/NCPACE application in MyNavy Education.
• Generate TA/NCPACE voucher and send to masc@ku.edu.

Benefit highlights:

Visit the Marine Corps Tuition Assistance (TA) page for more information.

• Up to $250 per credit hour; fiscal year cap of $4,500
• Reservists are only eligible if they are on continuous active duty or have been ordered to 120+ days active duty
• First-time users must complete a TA Orientation Course prior to using TA
• More TA regulations and guidelines

Application dates:

• Window open - 60 days before term start
• Last day to request - 1 day before term start

Documents needed:

• Degree plan:
  • Undergraduate students: Submit your Degree Progress Report (DPR)
  • Leavenworth students: Work with Sarah Weygand
  • Other graduate students: Work with your advisor
• Itemized bill - Visit the on-campus tuition and fees page or the online tuition and fees page to grab a screenshot of your program costs (we've been told that this suffices. Contact us if it gets rejected and we can look into other options)

Once you have your TA voucher

• Send to masc@ku.edu

Benefit highlights:

More information is on the Coast Guard portal or with your Education Service Officer.

• Up to $250 per credit hour; fiscal year cap of $4,500.
• TA can now be used toward a second academic certificate or second undergraduate degree (this does not apply toward a second graduate degree, though you can use TA for a first graduate degree).

Application dates:

• Window opens 90 days before term start
• A complete TA application (degree plan uploaded, command approved) must be received by ETQC NO LESS than 14 days prior to the class start date, not including the date of submission to ETQC nor the class start date. There are no exceptions or waivers to this policy. 

Applying:

• Visit the ETQC page for steps
• After you have TA approved through your education center, print, sign, and forward the authorized/funded TA voucher to masc@ku.edu.

Students interested in using the Top-Up Program should first contact their Education Service Officer to help determine if this benefit is best for you.

Eligibility:

• Must be eligible for Federal TA, AND
• Must be eligible for MGIB-Active Duty (Chapter 30) or the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)

Benefit:

• Top-Up can pay up to the amount of difference between what TA pays and the in-state tuition of the class(es)
• Up to 36 months of payments

Applying:

• Complete KU's VA Request to Use Benefits form and under "Anticipated Aid or Scholarships," check the relevant tuition assistance box. You only have to do this once a semester.
  • Ch. 30 users: If you don't have your original COE, submit a query through the Ask VA portal or call 888-442-4551 for a copy of your COE.
  • Ch. 33 users: If you don't have your original COE, you can obtain a Statement of Benefits (SOB) in lieu of a COE.
• In future semesters, you’ll complete a continued VA request for benefits form and won’t need to upload a COE again.

Effects on VA Benefits:

• Ch. 30 (Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty)
  • You will be charged one month of GI Bill for each payment you receive that is equal to one month of Ch. 30 at the full-time rate.
  • For example, A full-time student is charged one month of VA benefits for every $2.210 (rate for 2023) of tuition that the VA pays that TA didn’t cover.
  • If the VA pays half of the monthly rate, you will be charged half of a month of GI Bill, etc.
  • See current rates
• Ch. 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
  • If you have Ch. 33 at the 100% rate, there really is no benefit to also using TA and TA Top-Up. VA will cover in-state tuition and flat-rate programs. If you are charged out-of-state tuition, apply for the Armed Forces Residency Benefit. You only need Top-Up if you have Ch. 33 at less than the 100% rate.
  • Unlike Ch. 30, your Ch. 33 entitlement is charged based on the number of days of classes and your rate of pursuit, so you will use the same days regardless of whether you use TA/TA Top-Up or not.
  • Note: The VA is the “last payer” and the Top-Up program is dependent upon your percentage of eligibility. For example, if tuition was $2,000 and TA paid $1,000 and you were only eligible for Ch. 33 at the 50% rate, Top-Up will pay 50% of the remaining $1,000 of tuition, or $500.

Benefit highlights:

• Kansas Army and Air National Guard members without a bachelor's degree.
• Assistance for one semester = three months added onto your current contract. Discuss with Education Service Officer (ESO).
• Must maintain 2.0 GPA and submit transcripts to your ESO at the end of each semester.
• Students must apply for Federal TA if eligible - speak with your ESO for details or call the main ESO line at 785-646-0155.
• Speak with ESO before also using VA education benefits to ensure maximizing all benefits.
• Funds up to 100%* of tuition and fees and required campus fees. Maximum dollar amount each semester is set by the Kansas Board of Regents and is based on 15 credit hours of in-state tuition and required campus fees.
  • *2024-25 maximum payment is $6,051 (15 credits at $5543.95 + $507.05 campus fees).
  • *Also dependent on state funding and number of students using this benefit.
  • *Funding is rounded down to the nearest dollar so some students may still see small amounts due even when it funds 100%.

Application dates:

• Window open - Early January for next academic year (priority date: May 1st)
• Last day to request 
  • Fall start - Aug. 31st
  • Spring start - Jan. 31st

How TA shows up on your KU account:

• TA normally pays after the KU tuition deadline. To help prevent any late fees, KU applies what's called a "third party sponsorship" onto your account for the full amount of your tuition because we don't yet know what the state will actually pay. There is a chance, especially if you are in 15 credits or more, that the state will not pay all of your bill. Once we know what the state will pay, we update your account. It's important that you check on your account a couple of months into the semester/before the end of the semester to see what state TA actually paid.
• If you receive additional financial aid, you might receive a refund and still owe money after state TA has paid.

Applying:

• A single application is good for fall and spring semesters within that school year. Must reapply each school year.
• Eligible students must have a FAFSA on file at your school.
• Online application – scroll down to "Kansas National Guard Assistance," complete the online application and submit.
• Note: You do not need to turn anything in to KU to use this benefit.

Benefit highlights:

• Available for Kansas National Guard members to pursue a master's degree.
• Up to 100 applicants per school year accepted, with a cap of 200 applicants allowed in the program.
• Servicemembers are subject to a 48-month service obligation from last course end date.
• Must maintain 2.75 cumulative GPA.
• Must not be flagged.
• Must have passing fitness test within 14 months for M-Day and 8 months for AGR
• Students must apply for Federal TA if eligible - speak with your Education Service Officer (ESO) for details or call the main ESO line at 785-646-0155.
• Must apply for FAFSA annually.
• Speak with your ESO before also using Ch. 1606/Ch. 33 GI Bill benefits to ensure maximizing all benefits based on your education goals.
• Funds 100% of tuition and fees and fees for approved master's programs.
• The aggregate amount of credit hours taken by a participant may not exceed 150% of the
  
  total credit hours needed for the master's degree

Deadlines:

• Fall semester: June 15
• Spring semester: Nov. 15
• Summer semester: April 15

Applying:

• Complete online application.
• Submit a degree plan from KU via email to Kansas Guard Education Office (you will also need a degree plan for federal TA, so be sure to keep a copy to upload to the FTA portal. See info tabs above regarding FTA).
  • Leavenworth students: You will work with Sarah Weygand or Lucas Schmalbeck to get your degree plan.
  • Other graduate students: You will work with your advisor to get your plan.
• Note: You do not need to turn anything in to KU to use this benefit.

In general, state tuition assistance programs will only pay for classes taken at schools within their state or territory. However, please refer to the program details for the state or territory where you are a National Guard member for specific guidance on eligible schools.

Advanced Education Programs (AEPs) incorporate a variety of sub-programs through which military personnel can pursue fully funded masters or doctoral degrees. These sub-programs include:

1. Advanced Civil Schooling (ACS)
2. Expanded Graduate School Program (EGSP), which include:
   • Commanders Program and Menu of Incentives (MOI)
   • Graduate School for Active Duty Service Obligation (GrADSO)
3. Performance Based Graduate School Incentive Program (PB-GSIP)

AEPs require certain documentation from the university to complete the eligibility and acceptance packets, including:

1. Letter of Acceptance. The letter must be on university letterhead, needs to list the specific program you are attending, and have a signature block from KU admissions office. To obtain a letter of acceptance, apply to KU.
2. Application for Detail as Student at Civilian Educational Institution (DA 2125). This outlines your proposed class schedule and timeline for degree completion. It requires a signature from an academic advisor in your graduate program to validate the schedule and timeline. You can obtain this once you have been admitted.
3. Tuition Agreement. This document lays out all the costs of the program by semester and needs to match your proposed class schedule. The agreement needs to include KU letterhead and signature from a registrar official. Once you have your proposed class schedule from your advisor, contact the MASC for assistance.

If you have trouble obtaining any documentation or have any questions and don't know where to start, contact us, selecting "active duty programs" for the topic and answer the subsequent questions.