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Education benefits, explained

Between Tuition Assistance and the GI Bill, most service members can complete a degree without paying out of pocket. Here's what you have, and how to stack it.

Active Duty · Reserve · National Guard

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)

What FTA pays

Up to $250/credit hour, capped at $4,500/fiscal year for Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard. The military pays the school directly — you never see the money.

Army — start here

The Army manages all TA requests (Active, Reserve, and Guard) through ArmyIgnitED. Create your account, upload a degree plan, then request TA per class.Open ArmyIgnitED

How to get Federal TA set up (any branch)

  1. Complete your branch's TA orientation. One-time briefing required before first use.
  2. Get accepted to a regionally accredited school. Most military-friendly schools have veteran/military admissions teams.
  3. Submit a degree plan / education goal to your Education Services Officer (ESO) through your branch portal.
  4. Request TA per class, ideally 30–60 days before the class starts. Get it approved before the class begins — TA can't backdate.
  5. Maintain GPA (2.0 undergrad / 3.0 grad). Withdrawals or failing grades = recoupment (you pay back the TA).
  6. Submit your grade at end of term so TA closes out clean.

Tuition-per-year calculator

TA covers
$3,000
Total tuition
$3,600
Out of pocket
$600
Or use GI Bill

Branch TA portals

  • Army (all components)
    ArmyIgnitED
    Open
  • Navy
    MyNavy Education
    Open
  • Air Force / Space Force
    AFVEC (Air Force Virtual Education Center)
    Open
  • Marine Corps
    MarineNet / WebTA
    Open
  • Coast Guard
    CG Portal Education
    Open
Choose the state you serve in

State Tuition Assistance

Federal TA and the GI Bill are identical in all 50 states. State education benefits are not. Pick the state you serve in and this section adapts — program name, award amount, and exactly where to apply. All 50 states + DC are covered. Amounts change yearly, so always confirm with your state ESO.

We remember your state on this device, so every visit opens to your benefits. Most state programs are National Guard only — Reserve and Active Duty members should lean on Federal TA and the GI Bill above.

Need a human? Every state has an ESO — start at the nationalguard.mil state list.

Texas — State TA

Hazlewood Act + TX State Tuition Assistance

Award
Up to 150 credit hours (tuition & fees)

Hazlewood waives tuition and most fees at Texas public colleges for eligible veterans; the Legacy provision transfers unused hours to a dependent child. TX Guard members also have a state TA program.

Apply for Texas State TA
Best benefit for most veterans

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)

Tuition (public school)
100%
of in-state tuition & fees
Monthly BAH (avg)
$2,100
E-5 w/deps at school ZIP
Book stipend
$1,000
per academic year
Service time after 9/10/2001% of benefit
36+ months AD after 9/10/2001100%
30 continuous days + discharged for service-connected disability100%
30 months, < 36 months90%
24 months, < 30 months80%
18 months, < 24 months70%
6 months, < 18 months60%
90 days, < 6 months50%

Yellow Ribbon can cover the gap at private and out-of-state schools. Post-9/11 benefits are usable for 36 months.

Chapter 30 / 1606

Montgomery GI Bill & Kicker

MGIB-AD (Chapter 30)

Up to $2,358.00/month full-time. Requires the $1,200 buy-in during your first year in service.

MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606)

For Selected Reserve / Guard: $481.00/month full-time. No buy-in required.

GI Bill Kicker

Extra up to $950/month on top of your GI Bill — enlistment/re-enlistment incentive tied to critical MOS. Stacks with Post-9/11 or MGIB.