Service in the United States Armed Forces is rewarding in many ways. As a result of this commitment, active-duty military members are extended the benefit of tuition assistance. With tuition assistance, military students can attend college with zero out-of-pocket costs. However, while this benefit is often automatic, some scenarios may jeopardize your ability to take advantage of the program.
Institution Selection
Be mindful of the college or university you attend. The military has certain requirements in place that institutions must adhere to, to receive payment. An active accreditation and a credit hour cost maximum are just a couple of them. If the school does not meet the criteria, you can attend the school, but you will not be able to apply tuition assistance. A quick discussion with the school's financial aid coordinator can help you determine eligibility.
Application Process
To take advantage of tuition assistance, you must do more than just apply to the school. You must also apply to use the tuition assurance benefits. Once you have selected your courses, the school will provide you with documentation that you can take to your military tuition assistance coordinator for processing. You can initiate this process weeks before the start of class, but the military usually does not process these requests at the last minute, such as the day before class starts.
Course Completion
To minimize your out-of-pocket costs you need to complete each course. If you drop or withdrawal from a course before the census date, you must notify the military tuition assistance coordinator. However, if you drop after, you must notify them and provide a letter explanation. If the reason is attached to service duty, you will not have to repay, but if it is not, you may have to. Should you fail a course, you will have to pay back the course costs.
Lateral and Lower Degrees
If you already have a degree, keep in mind that you will be unable to exercise this benefit to earn a lateral or lower degree. An example of a lateral degree would involve a student who already has a bachelor's degree pursuing a second bachelor's. A lower degree would involve pursuing an associate degree if you already have a bachelor's. You can only use this program to earn a higher degree.
Ensure you follow the program guidelines to experience its full benefits. If you need further assistance, do not hesitate to speak with a professional about tuition assistance for military personnel.