Tuition Assistance – Active Duty

Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members.

Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process’ and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services. Additionally active duty members may elect to use the MGIB “top-up” in addition to their service provided TA to cover high cost courses.

1. Service members must bring in a copy of their 2171 form and unit address information so Casper College can invoice their unit.
2. Service members should follow the requirements and procedures for APPLYING as a degree seeking student to Casper College.
3. Complete and submit the VA/Military Education- Certification Request online.

TA is not a loan; it should be viewed as money you have earned just like your base pay.

Follow the links for your particular service and start taking advantage of this opportunity:

• Air Force Tuition Assistance
  • You must apply for Tuition Assistance online using the Air Force Virtual Education Center. This must be done through the Air Force Portal at https://www.my.af.mil/. There are six steps to completing the AFVEC online TA process.
• Army Tuition Assistance
  • The Army Continuing Education System has launched a new automated tuition assistance project. The TA automation will allow active duty soldiers to request TA and enroll in courses online. This will speed up the enrollment process and minimize wait times at Army Education Centers. Active Duty soldiers are now able to request TA online through GoArmyEd.
• Navy Tuition Assistance
  • Receive educational counseling from your Navy College Office in person, by phone or email. Determine which courses will be requested for TA funding.
  • Complete a TA Application form (NETPDC 1560/03) listing course(s) and fee(s). Receive command approval signature to enroll in the course(s).
• Marines Tuition Assistance
  • 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 clicking on the TA Orientation link below. 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. Use form NETPDTC 1560.
  • Marines must apply for Marine Corps Tuition Assistance (TA) through WebTA (login required).
  • Only courses with the same start and end dates can be on the same application. Courses with different start/end dates require multiple applications to be submitted.What are the procedures to use TA?
    1. Contact your Marine Corps Voluntary Education Center to receive educational counseling either in person or by phone. With your academic advisor, determine which courses will be requested for TA funding.
    2. To apply for Tuition Assistance electronically from any computer, complete a TA Application in WebTA listing course(s). Check with your institution to make sure the tuition amounts you listed are correct. Fees cannot be paid using TA funds.
    3. Start your application 60 days in advance of the term start date. You can submit your TA even before finishing your enrollment in the course at your school.
    
    

    Every TA application MUST be Command Approved prior to being forwarded to the Voluntary Education Center for final approval.

• Coast Guard Tuition Assistance
  • The management of TA is centralized at the USCG Institute through a consolidated tuition assistance processing system managed by the U.S. Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC) in Pensacola, Florida.
  • The Coast Guard Institute approves the TA Application (CG-4147), inputs data into the Navy’s computer database, and issues the TA Authorization form (CGI-1560).
  • The applicant then takes the CGI-1560 to the academic institution during registration; the institution bills the Navy (NETPDTC) for payment of the government’s share of tuition assistance.

• Reserve Tuition Assistance
  Eligibility
• The soldier must be a drilling reservist in good standing.
• The soldier must declare an educational goal leading to a credential higher than current degree level.
• Enlisted soldiers and warrant officers must have sufficient time remaining on their term of service to complete the course before separation.
• Commissioned officers must have at least four years of Selected Reserve service remaining from the date of completion of the course for which tuition assistance is provided.
• The soldier must enroll for the independent study course following Army Reserve procedures.

Contact your local Reserve Education Office for assistance with TA or any other voluntary education assistance.

‘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 Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.