Active-Duty Tuition Assistance (TA)

TA is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Department of Defense (DOD) has standard TA cap of $250 per semester hour, or $166 per quarter hour and an annual maximum of $4,500 per fiscal year. This applies to all active-duty members across all branches. Each service does have its own eligibility requirements and set Polices on funding Levels and credit hour limits.

UCCS VMA TA Checklist here

Reserve benefits may vary so it's essential to check with your specific service branch.

2024-2025 DOD MOU Program Rates

Resources

**Once approved by your military service, please complete the Sponsor Billing Request form under the Student Financials menu in your student portal. This must be submitted every semester.**

For additional assistance regarding 3rd Party sponsored student billing please contact 3rd Party Billing at (719) 255-3399 or via email tuitasst@uccs.edu.

While each military branch manages its own tuition assistance (TA) program, the core caps are set at the Department of Defense (DoD) level. This provides a uniform foundation, but it's crucial to check with your specific branch for any additional policies, restrictions, or recent changes.

TA Caps for all Military Branches

Across all branches of the U.S. military, the standard tuition assistance caps are:

  • Per-Credit-Hour Cap: $250 per semester hour (or $166 per quarter hour).
  • Annual Cap: $4,500 per fiscal year (October 1 to September 30).

This means the TA program will cover the cost of your tuition up to these limits. If your course costs more than the per-credit-hour cap, you are responsible for the remaining balance. If you hit the annual cap, you cannot use TA for additional courses until the next fiscal year.

Branch-Specific Details & Considerations

While the caps are consistent, each branch has its own rules regarding eligibility, application processes, and usage. For example:

  • Army: The Army has a limit of 16 semester hours per fiscal year and a degree limit of 130 undergraduate credits and 39 graduate credits.
  • Navy & Marine Corps: These branches generally align with the DoD caps. They have a limit of 18 semester hours per fiscal year.
  • Air Force & Space Force: These branches also follow the standard DoD caps with a fiscal year limit of 18 semester hours.
  • Coast Guard: The Coast Guard's annual cap is currently $3,750, a notable exception to the standard DoD policy.

It is always best to check with your branch's education office or online education portal (e.g., ArmyIgnitED, MyNavy Education) for the most current information. Additionally, TA may not cover all fees, books, or supplies, so you should plan for those expenses.

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Program Funds

In accordance with DoD policy, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is required to return unearned military Tuition Assistance (TA) funds on a proportional basis if a service member drops or withdraws from a course. This return is calculated up to the 60% completion point of the course. The funds are returned directly to the respective military branch, not to the service member.

Timeline of Drop or WithdrawalUCCS Policy on TA Funds
Prior to the Course Census DateIf you drop or withdraw from a TA-funded course before the census date, you will receive a 100% tuition refund (less any non-refundable fees), and 100% of the TA funds will be returned to the military.
After the Course Census DateIf you drop or withdraw from a course after the census date, the unearned TA funds will be calculated on a proportional basis. This calculation is based on the percentage of the course you completed. The return of funds applies to TA that has been billed and paid by the military.

When a service member withdraws from a course, the portion of Military Tuition Assistance (TA) funds that have not yet been "earned" must be returned to the Department of Defense. This process is known as the "return of TA calculation." The calculation is based on the principle of prorated earning, where a percentage of the funds is considered earned based on the number of days the student attended or participated in the course. The formula is generally (Number of days completed) / (Total number of days in the course) = Percent of TA earned.

It is important to note that if a student withdraws from a course after completing 60% or more of the term, all TA funds are considered fully earned and no funds will be returned to the Department of Defense. However, if a withdrawal occurs before this 60% mark, the unearned funds are returned by the educational institution to the service branch. This action may result in a balance owed by the service member to the university. It is highly recommended that service members consult with their military education counselor before withdrawing to understand how this may impact their financial obligations.

16-week semester/118 days

Day                       % of TA to Return

1-18                     100% return (census period)

19                         44%      return

20                         43%      return

25                         39%      return

30                         35%      return

35                         30%      return

40                         26%      return

45                         22%      return

50                         18%      return

55                         13%      return

60                         9%         return

65                         5%         return

70                         1%         return (60% course completed at day 70.8)

71-118                  0%         return (more than 60% of the course is completed)

 

•8 week semester/54 days

Day                       % of TA to Return

1-7                        100% return (census period)

10                         41%      return

15                         32%      return

20                         23%      return

25                         14%      return

30                         4%         return

31                         3%         return

32                         1%         return (60% course completion at day 32.4)

33-54                   0%         return

HEROES Scholarship

Active-Duty Service Members using Military Tuition Assistance (TA) are eligible for the HEROES Scholarship.

  • This grant bridges the gap between UCCS tuition, fees and required materials (through TAAP), and the $250/credit hour covered by TA (excludes Colorado state tuition assistance).
  • There is no application required for this grant.  Those eligible will automatically receive the grant applied to their student accounts on or shortly after census date.  This grant is non-refundable.
  • This grant applies to undergraduate degree-seeking students receiving in state tuition rates only and does not apply to courses not approved for TA.
  • Students must apply for and authorize College Opportunity Fund (COF) to be eligible for grant. If COF has been maxed out or is not authorized, the student will be responsible for that amount.  
  • Students must work with their base/post Education Center to request Tuition Assistance.
  • Students must submit a Sponsor Billing Request through their student portal in order to utilize their Tuition Assistance.

For more information, please contact Veteran and Military Affairs at 719-255-3253 or military@uccs.edu; or UCCS at Fort Carson at 719-526-8066 or ftcarson@uccs.edu.