Reserve Tuition Assistance

Reserve Tuition Assistance Program Limits

The Reserve Tuition Assistance program pays 100 percent of tuition and eligible fees up to one of the following:

• $250 per semester credit hour
• $166 per quarter credit hour

Each Selected Reserve member using TA is subject to the same $4,500 yearly funding cap as active duty servicemembers. For tuition exceeding program limits, Selected Reservists eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) or the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) (Chapter 1607), may use the Tuition Top-Up program to cover costs not paid for by the Tuition Assistance Program. However, Top-Up can't be used with the Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) (Chapter 1606).

Courses must be taken through a school that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Education programs that are eligible for coverage vary by branch:

Army (USAR)

• Obtaining a high school diploma
• Licensing programs
• Certification programs
• Bachelors' degree
• Master's degree

Air Force (USAFR)

• Associate's degree
• Bachelors' degree
• Master's or first advanced degree

Coast Guard (USCGR)

• A high school or equivalency diploma
• Developmental courses
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs

National Guard (ARNG)

• Secondary school diploma or its equivalent (GED)
• Certificate programs
• Associate's degree
• Bachelors' degree
• Masters' or first professional degree

Generally, the Tuition Assistance program does not pay for a credential equal to, or lower level than, the one currently held by the servicemember or that was previously acquired through by using tuition assistance.

Reserve TA Eligibility Requirements

Tuition Assistance for the Reserves is available to all participating Selected Reserve unit actively drilling enlisted, warrant and commissioned officers who are in good standing in their unit. Title 32 and servicemembers with unsatisfactory participation, are not eligible to use Tuition Assistance. In addition, commissioned and warrant officers may be required to incur an additional service commitment if they choose to use the Tuition Assistance Program.

Those using Reserve TA must declare an educational goal and may take courses either on campus or through an online venue.

Benefit Rules and Application Procedures

Application procedures vary by Selected Reserve Component. Servicemembers can apply for tuition assistance through their reserve branch education portal:

• USAR - Web-Enabled Education Benefit System
• USAFR - ARPC Education Website
• USCGR - Education Office and Coast Guard Institute
• ARNG - National Guard Benefits Online

For state-funded benefits, ARNG members go through their individual state Department of Military Affairs Office.

Upon mobilization or deployment for a contingency operation under Title 10 active duty orders, Selected Reservists fall under their active duty component's Tuition Assistance program rules.

Reserve Tuition Assistance Termination Rules

It's important to stress that each Reserve servicemember must have a documented education plan on file and generally maintain 2.0 GPA for undergraduate studies and a 3.0 GPA for graduate students. Students are responsible to ensure TA-funded classes apply toward their educational goal.