Military and Veteran Services

Navy Tuition Assistance

The following information was found in several sites containing cited material about the program, and official existing SIUE documents.  Their information and citations can be found at the end of the document. 

Program Information

• Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit of up to 100% of tuition expenses and certain fees (specifics listed below) being paid to active duty servicemembers of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard, and select members of their subsequent reserves; the information above and below cover requirements and benefit information for both select reserve members and all active duty servicemembers. 
• NOTE: Each of the Armed Forces determine administration of TA, and each state may offer its National Guard servicemembers state funded education incentives based on state guidelines and eligibility; experiences with Tuition Assistance through the National Guard in another state may not apply or be available in Illinois.

Important Information

1. TA is not authorized for courses leading to a degree at the same level or a lower level than one (or more) you already posses.
2. There is no TA for post-master’s degree coursework or degrees.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Applicant falls under one of the following categories:
   1. Enlisted active duty personnel.
   2. Naval Officer.
   3. Naval Reservist on continuous active duty.
   4. Naval Reservist ordered to active duty for 120 days.
   5. Naval Reservist Officer ordered to active duty for two or more years.
      i. NOTE: If you are activated under Title 10, you may qualify for this benefit.
2. Must be on active duty for the whole length of the course(s).
3. Must attend an institution accredited by a regional, national, or professional accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education.
4. Must receive counseling from a Navy College Office or Virtual Education Center Counselor.
5. Must provide all grades from previously funded TA courses and reimburse all W and F grades (withdrawals for involuntary reasons may be granted with command verification).
6. Must agree, if an officer, to remain on active duty for at least two years upon completion of courses funded by TA.

• This obligation runs jointly with remaining obligated service time.

○      Those who fail to serve the obligation must repay TA funds expended on their behalf during the last two years of active duty on a pro rated basis.

Covered Costs

1. 100% tuition and required fees (charged by educational institutions for course enrollments) not to exceed:
   1. $250.00 per semester credit hour
   2. $166.67 per quarter credit hour
   3. $16.67 per clock hour (for approved certificate/diploma programs only)
   4. 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours or 240 clock hours) per fiscal year

Specification of Covered Costs

1. Tuition
2. Course-specific fees (e.g., laboratory or online course fees)

• NOTE: all fees must directly relate to the course enrollment of the servicemember.

Costs NOT Covered

1. Books and course materials.
2. Flight training fees (if applicable).
3. Taking the same course twice.
4. Continuing education units (CEUs).

Grades Requiring Reimbursement

1. Undergraduate level grades at a D or lower
2. Non-passing (N) grades
3. Graduate level grades at a C or lower
4. Incomplete (I) grades in effect longer than 6 months
5. Voluntary withdrawal (W) grades

Situations Requiring Reimbursement

1. Leaving the service prior to course end date.
2. Quitting the course(s) for reasons other than personal illness, military transfer, or mission requirements.
3. Failing the course(s).

Timeline of Benefit Use

1. Tuition Assistance can only be used during a Sailor’s time of service.

Application Process

1. Contact your Navy College Office or the Virtual Education Center to receive educational counseling either in person, virtually, by phone, or through email.
2. With your academic advisor, determine which courses will be requested for TA funding.
3. Complete TA application in WebTA listing course(s).

• Start application 30 days in advance of term start date.
• Log-in via CAC (Common Access Card) or DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System).
• Every TA application MUST be Command Approved prior to being forwarded to the VEC (Virtual Education Center).

1. Check with your institution to make sure tuition amounts listed are correct (fees may not be paid using TA funds).
2. You may submit your TA before finishing enrollment in the course.

Requirements for Command Approval

NOTE: Command approval is required to utilize this benefit.

1. Must have served one year on-board in their first permanent duty station (this may be waived by a Commanding Officer).
2. Will serve on active duty through the last day of the course.
3. Pass the most recent Physical Fitness Assessment or have received a waiver.
4. Took most recent advancement exam, if applicable, and are recommended for advance or promotion.
5. Have not received a NJP (Nonjudicial Punishment) within six months or not pending administrative separation.
6. Not under investigation in initial skills training or in a duty under instruction training status.

Campus Requirements/Steps

1. Request TA via your education unit prior to start of course(s).
2. Submit Tuition Assistance Authorization form to the Bursar’s Office (located in Rendleman Hall) prior to start of course.
3. Authorization amount will be entered on student account as memo amount.
4. Billing will be processed after four week class drop period.
5. Payment will appear on student account when paid by unit.

Resources Utilized in this Document

1. Military.com (largest military and veteran organization)
2. Navy College Program’s official website