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Military Education Benefits, Tuition Assistance, and Veteran Funding Options

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Education Options for Active Military, Veterans, and Spouses

Many students have questions about the military education benefits they may have earned through their service or if they can use these benefits at Purdue Global. From military tuition assistance to information on benefits for military spouses, this is where you can learn about options available to servicemembers (including Guard and Reserve units), veterans, and their spouses.

Military Tuition Assistance (TA)

Military tuition assistance may pay up to $166.67 per quarter credit hour for a maximum of $4,500 per year for Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Marines. The annual cap for Army is $4,000.

For example, Purdue Global’s undergraduate tuition rate for servicemembers, including members of the Guard or Reserve and TA-eligible DoD civilian employees, is $165 per credit hour. If a servicemember was approved for the $4,500 maximum, the tuition assistance would cover 27 quarter credit hours per year ($165 x 27 = $4,455).

Below are the annual caps for Purdue Global students:

  • Air Force and Marines: $4,500 per year
  • Army: $3,960 per year based on the 24 quarter credit hour limit
  • Coast Guard: $4,500 per year
  • Navy: $4,500 per year ($4,455 for undergraduate students) based on the 27 quarter credit hour limit


Note: You must be approved for tuition assistance before enrolling and must apply for additional courses each term. Your Educational Service Officer will inform you regarding your eligibility.

Applying for Federal Military Tuition Assistance

  • Speak with a Purdue Global Military Admissions Advisor or review the branch-specific tuition assistance eligibility requirements and benefits.
  • Apply for conditional acceptance to Purdue Global.
  • Apply for tuition assistance and speak to your Educational Service Officer or complete the online application.
  • If approved, begin classes.


Note: Should your Educational Services Officer not approve your tuition assistance request and you are not approved by your start date, you will be liable for any tuition and fees due. We highly recommend you verify your tuition assistance before beginning courses.

Return of Unearned Tuition Assistance

If you withdraw or are dismissed from the University, you may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. For details about the calculation and return of unearned tuition assistance, please refer to the Refund Policy in the University Catalog.

Purdue Global Military Advisors Can Assist You With:

  • Obtaining information on the Montgomery GI Bill® and the Post-9/11 GI Bill®*
  • Understanding how military tuition assistance programs work
  • Reviewing tuition costs and how these compare to education benefits for military
  • Explaining how Purdue Global’s tuition reductions apply to your selected program
  • Applying for military benefits
  • Exploring other financial aid options if you are not eligible for or are not using military education benefits

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 website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibil

Additional TA Resources

Please refer to the branch-specific resource pages for important information about military tuition assistance:

Benefits for Military Spouses

Purdue Global's online degree programs allow military spouses to continue their education, no matter where in the world their family is stationed. Learn more about benefits for military spouses.

  • MyCAA

    MyCAA Update

    The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (MyCAA) is a workforce development program that provides tuition assistance to eligible military spouses. The scholarship assists military spouses in pursuing licenses, certificates, certifications, or associate’s degrees necessary to gain employment in high-demand, high-growth portable career fields and occupations.

    The MyCAA program is open to eligible spouses under the below program guidelines. Spouses are subject to eligibility criteria and revised funding limits:

    • Spouses of an Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force or Marine servicemember, or active Reserve member in the pay grades of E-1 to E-5, W-1 and W-2, or O1 and O-2 are eligible.
    • National Guard and/or AGR sponsors must be on federal Title 10 active-duty orders as reported in DEERS.
    • Spouses of Guard/Reserve members in an Alert, Transition Assistance, or Post-deployment status are not eligible.
    • MyCAA accounts are limited to the new $4,000 maximum benefit with a $2,000 fiscal year cap. Waivers are available for spouses pursuing licensure or certification up to the total maximum assistance of $4,000.
    • Spouses must finish their program of study within 3 years from the start date of the first course.
    • Funding is limited to only associate's degrees, certifications, and licensure programs.
  • Additional Info

    Additional Information

    Military One Source is a Department of Defense resource that provides information about education, relocation, parenting, stress, and other issues many military families may face.

Additional Benefits for Servicemembers

Outside Scholarships

The Scholarship and Financial Aid Explorer website was established to assist military members in locating scholarships and financial support for education. The site is open to all veterans and members regardless of branch.

Federal Financial Aid

Federal student aid may be available for military students not eligible for military tuition assistance or GI Bill® benefits. Purdue Global can help determine if you are eligible for federal financial aid, including grants and loan programs.

GI Bill® Benefits

While GI Bill® benefits are often thought of as exclusively for veterans, they can be used during active-duty service. When these benefits are used in conjunction with military tuition assistance, it is done through the Top Up provision. Often, Top Up is not used as a student may lose a disproportionate amount of the GI Bill® benefits in this situation. However, any GI Bill® benefits are directly proportionate to the courses you take. For example, if you are eligible for the 100% entitlement of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and you attend 6 months of courses at a 50% course load, your GI Bill® benefit would be reduced by 3 months.

Please note, you would not be eligible for the Basic Housing Allowance for the portion of your Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits you use while on active duty; the housing allowance is only paid when you are in a veteran status.

It is important that you contact the Veterans Administration to determine exactly what your benefits are. There are several levels of entitlement and different types of GI Bills®, each with varying rules and benefits to consider.

You can start at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education and training page or benefits page.

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 website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Post-9/11 and Montgomery GI Bill®

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill®: Basics and Eligibility

    The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, also known as the “Forever GI Bill®,” was signed into law on August 17, 2017, and brings significant changes to veterans’ education benefits over the next few years. Most enhance or expand education benefits for veterans, servicemembers, families, and survivors. Sections noted with ** denote changes to the existing Post 9/11 GI Bill®.

    Eligibility

    You may be eligible if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001, and you are still on active duty or were honorably discharged from active duty, or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

    **Effective August 1, 2018, servicemembers and honorably discharged veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, will be entitled to Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits at the 100% benefit level for up to 36 months.

    **Effective August 1, 2018, VA began paying benefits to members of the Armed Forces called or ordered to active duty from a reserve component under Section 12301(h), 12304A, and 12304B of Title 10. Benefits CANNOT be paid retroactively with this service.

    The amount of benefit you can receive is based on your level of service as shown below.

    Under the traditional Post 9/11 GI Bill®, members have 15 years to use their benefit from the time they leave service. The benefits are paid for 36 months.

    **Effective immediately, the law removes the 15-year time limit for the use of Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits for those whose last discharge or release from active duty was on or after January 1, 2013, children of deceased servicemembers who became entitled to Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits on or after January 1, 2013, and all spouses using Fry Scholarship.

    Active Duty Service / Maximum Benefit

    • At least 36 months / 100%
    • At least 30 months < 36 months / 90%
    • At least 24 months < 30 months / 80%
    • At least 18 months < 24 months / 70%
    • At least 12 months < 18 months / 60%
    • At least 6 months < 12 months / 50%
    • At least 90 days < 6 months / 40%

    For additional information, please visit https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/. You should also contact the VA to determine your eligibility and benefit level.

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill®: Tuition and Fees

    At the 100% benefit level, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® covers all tuition and fees at any in-state public institution. If a student wishes to attend a private or foreign institution, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® will provide up to $26,381.37 in tuition and fees for the VA 2022 Academic Year from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023.

    Purdue Global's tuition and fees for all undergraduate programs fall within this limit as do the majority of our master's degree programs. For veterans who have less than the 100% entitlement, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® will pay the percentage of tuition and fees outlined in the section above. Tuition and fees are paid directly to the institution of higher learning.

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill®: Monthly Housing Allowance

    Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is generally the same as the military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. MHA is calculated based on the zip code of the campus where the student physically attends the majority of classes, rather than the location of the institution of higher learning where the student is enrolled. This is applied to the first enrollment in an educational program on or after August 1, 2019. MHA rate increases based on BAH increases are effective August 1 (the beginning date of the academic year).

    For more detailed information on monthly housing allowance benefits, students should contact the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551.

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill®: Books and Supplies Stipend

    Students may receive up to $1,000 per year, paid proportionately based on their level of entitlement and course load.

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill®: The Yellow Ribbon Program

    The Yellow Ribbon Program covers tuition and fees above the $26,381.37 limit through a VA match of a school's reduction of tuition and/or fees that are above the cap. This program is only available for those identified eligible at the 100% benefit level. Purdue Global participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and we have no cap on the number of students or the amount of tuition covered by the program.

    **Effective August 1, 2018, the Yellow Ribbon Program includes Fry Scholarship recipients and veterans or servicemembers awarded the Purple Heart for service after September 10, 2001.

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill®: Transfer of Benefits to a Spouse or Dependent

    The Post-9/11 GI Bill® may allow the transfer of all or a portion of educational benefits to a spouse or dependent. This is available to members with at least 6 years of service and a commitment of an additional 4 years of service, or members with 10 years of service who are precluded by either standard policy (by service branch or DoD) or statute from committing to 4 additional years and agree to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.

    **Effective July 20, 2019, eligibility to transfer benefits will be limited to sevicemembers with less than 16 years of active duty or selected reserve service.

    While in the armed forces, transferors use the Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) website to designate, modify, and revoke a Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) request: https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/

  • Montgomery GI Bill®: Basics and Eligibility

    Effective October 1, 2021, the Montgomery GI Bill® Chapter 30 (Active-Duty Benefits) provides up to $2,150 per month for 36 months for eligible members. In some cases, such as those who participated in the $600 buy-up program, an additional $5,400 may be available in total full-time benefits.

    The amount received each month is determined by your rate of pursuit, or course load. For example, a veteran eligible for Montgomery GI Bill® benefits taking 6 credits per term (half time) would receive 50% of the monthly GI Bill® benefit ($1,075).

    For servicemembers who served 3 years or more, the current benefits are as follows: 

    Training Time / Monthly Rate

    • Full Time / $2,150
    • Less Than Half Time, More Than One-Quarter Time / $1,075*
    • One-Quarter Time or Less / $537.50*

    *Tuition and fees ONLY. Payment cannot exceed the listed amount.

    For servicemembers who served less than 3 years, the full-time monthly rate is $1,744.

    Those who served on or after September 11, 2001, who qualify for more than one VA benefit will have to pick the one they want to use. This is an irrevocable decision, meaning you can’t change your mind.

    If you entered active duty after June 30, 1985, you typically have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits. If you entered active duty before July 1, 1985, different rules apply. Visit https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/ for the current rate or call 888-442-4551 (888-GI BILL 1) for more information.

  • Montgomery GI Bill®: Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR/Chapter 1606)

    The Montgomery GI Bill®* Selected Reserve program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard.

    You may use this education assistance program for Purdue Global degree and certificate programs. Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Your eligibility for the program typically ends on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.

    If you are mobilized (or recalled to active duty from your reserve status), however, your eligibility may be extended for the amount of time you are mobilized plus 4 months. For example, if you are mobilized for 12 months, your eligibility period is extended for 16 months (12 months active duty plus 4 months). So, even if you leave the reserves after mobilization, you may have additional eligibility under the Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve.

    If your unit was deactivated during the period beginning on October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2014, or you are involuntarily separated for reasons other than misconduct, you will retain your original period of eligibility, which is 14 years from the date of your first 6-year obligation with the Selected Reserves.

    View basic monthly rates for the Montgomery GI Bill®-SR (Chapter 1606) increased educational benefit.

    Visit the VA website to learn more.

    *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 website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Resources Provided by Executive Order 13607

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