
TUITION ASSISTANCE (TA) PROGRAM
How to Use Tuition Assistance (TA)
Courses and degree programs may be academic or technical and can be taken from two- or four-year institutions on-installation, off-installation or by distance learning. Your service branch pays your tuition directly to the school. Servicemembers need to first check with an Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor for the specifics of TA by visiting their local installation education office or a virtual education center online. Tuition assistance may be used for the following programs:
- Vocational/Technical
- Undergraduate
- Graduate
- Independent Study
- Distance Learning

General Program Information
TA Eligibility Requirements
Coverage Amounts& Monetary Limits
The Tuition Assistance Program will fund up to 100 percent of your college tuition, within these limits:
- Not exceeding $250 per semester credit hour or $166 per quarter credit hour
- Not exceeding $4,500 per fiscal year — October 1 through September 30
Note: Georgia State waives all mandatory fees for currently-serving military. Contact the Military Outreach Center for more information.
Tuition Assistance (TA) Versus Department of Veterans Affairs Education Benefits
- Not exceeding $250 per semester credit hour or $166 per quarter credit hour
- Not exceeding $4,500 per fiscal year — October 1 through September 30
Note: Georgia State waives all mandatory fees for currently-serving military. Contact the Military Outreach Center for more information.
Benefits & Restrictions
TA will pay your tuition but will not cover the following expenses:
- School fees (although Georgia State waives all mandatory fees of currently-serving military)
- Books and course materials
- Flight training fees
- Fees for repeated courses
- Continuing education units (CEUs)
TA will not fund your college courses, and you will have to reimburse any funds already paid in any of the following situations:
- Leaving the service before the course ends
- Quitting the course for reasons other than personal illness, military transfer or mission requirements
- Failing the course or otherwise not achieving a minimum course grade as determined by the individual military branches
Application Process
Each military branch operates with its own TA application form and procedures. To find out how to get started, call or visit the Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor at your local installation’s education center, go online to a virtual education center or click on the following links for each service branch:
Prior to course enrollment, you may be required to develop an education plan or complete TA orientation. Keep the following important information in mind when you apply:
- Military TA may only be used to pursue degree programs at U.S. colleges and universities that are regionally or nationally accredited (by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education). A quick way to check the accreditation of a school is by visiting the Department of Education.
- Your service’s education center must approve your military tuition assistance before you enroll in a course.
Top-Up Program
Eligibility: To use Top-Up, your service branch must approve you for TA. You must also be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or the Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty.
Application: Apply for TA in accordance with the procedures outlined by your service branch. After you have applied for TA, you will need to complete VA Form 22-1990 to apply for Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits. The form is available online via the VA. Be sure to specify “Top-Up” on the application and mail it to one of the education processing offices listed on the form.
See the Top-Up Fact Sheet for more information.
Excerpts are taken from militaryonesource.mil/-/how-to-use-the-military-tuition-assistance-program.
Connect with a Military Advocate
Alpharetta Campus
AA-1490 | 770-274-5742 | ssoper@gsu.edu
Atlanta Campus
217 Dahlberg Hall | 404-413-2331 | rbarrone@gsu.edu
Clarkston Campus
CH-1300 | 678-891-3025 | jdouglas20@gsu.edu
Decatur Campus
SA-1300 | 678-891-2315 |
Dunwoody Campus
NB-1100B | 770-274-5038 | djohnson273@gsu.edu
Newton Campus
1N-1400 | 678-891-2496 | jdouglas20@gsu.edu