Tuition Assistance

The Tuition Assistance (TA) Program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty civilian education programs in support of a Soldier’s professional and personal self-development goals. TA is a Public Law that is implemented by Department of Defense (DoD) Directive and DoD Instruction, and all Soldiers (officers, warrant officers, enlisted) on active duty, Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers on active duty (pursuant to U.S. Code Title 10 or Title 32), and TPU Soldiers are authorized to participate in the TA program.

General Information about Tuition Assistance at Military.com:

TA Benefits at a Glance

 

Service Amount Covered Who is Eligible
Air Force 100% tuition & fees, not to exceed:

  • $250 per semester hour
  • $166 per quarter hour
  • $4,500 per fiscal year
  • Active duty
  • Reserves
Army 100% tuition & fees, not to exceed:

  • $250 per semester hour
  • $166 per quarter hour
  • 16 semester hours per year
  • $4,000 per fiscal year
  • Active Duty
  • ARNG on Active Duty
  • Army Reserves
Navy 100% tuition & fees, not to exceed::

  • $250 per semester hour
  • $166 per quarter hour
  • $4,500 per fiscal year
  • Active Duty
  • Naval Reserves in AD status
Marines 100% tuition & fees, not to exceed:

  • $250 per semester hour
  • $166 per quarter hour
  • $4,500 per fiscal year
  • Active Duty only
Coast Guard 100% tuition & fees, not to exceed:

  • $250 per semester hour
  • $166 per quarter hour
  • $3,750 per fiscal year
  • Active Duty
  • Reserves in AD status
Space Force
  • $250 per semester hour
  • $166 per quarter hour
  • $4,500 per fiscal year
  • Active duty

Source: Military.com

First Steps

Student soldiers must secure approval for Tuition Assistance from their Education Services Office (ESO) BEFORE the semester begins.

For Army IgnitED 2.0, you must request approval no less than 8 days before classes begin and provide your authorization to the Veterans and Military Services Office for the funds to be listed as anticipated aid toward your bill.

  • Service members must consult with their Educational Services Office (ESO) or Service Education Counselor PRIOR to enrolling in classes.
  • All Army members MUST apply for and exhaust Federal TA before State TA is awarded.
  • Soldiers must remain in an active military status for the term when they are receiving educational assistance. Failure to maintain active status will result in the recoupment of unearned funds.
  • Student is required to be a member prior to the start date of class and remain a member until the end date of class.
  • Students using tuition assistance can apply for the Active Military Tuition Rate at OTC. Email Veterans@otc.edu for more information.

TA Application Sites - All branches

Select the appropriate Service Tuition Assistance (TA) link for your military branch:

Tuition Assistance Return Policy

Return of Tuition Assistance: Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded.  When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded.

 

To comply with the new Department of Defense policy, Ozarks Tech will return any unearned TA funds on a pro rata basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided.  TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending.  These funds are returned following the AI Portal Refund Process .

 

Ozarks Tech will assign a grade of ‘W’ if a student withdraws from a class or is administratively withdrawn, prior to the term’s deadline to withdraw.  After the deadline, a student is not permitted to drop.

 

Currently, Ozarks Tech bills the DoD at the 19% census date.  If, at the conclusion of the term, a ‘W’ grade is assigned, the below charts illustrate how the institution calculates the unearned TA amount, then proceeds with a refund (if applicable):

 

16-WEEK TERM

Days Refund Percentage
On or before the fifth day of the semester 100
Days 6 through 10 of the semester 75
Days 11 through 20 of the semester 50
Days 21 through 40 of the semester 25
After the 40th day of the semester 0

 

14-WEEK TERM

Days Refund Percentage
On or before the fifth day of the semester 100
Days 6 through 10 of the semester 75
Days 11 through 20 of the semester 50
Days 21 through 35 of the semester 25
After the 35th day of the semester 0

 

8-WEEK TERM

Days Refund Percentage
On or before the fifth day of the semester 100
Days 6 through 10 of the semester 75
Days 11 through 14 of the semester 50
Days 15 through 20 of the semester 25
After the 20th day of the semester 0

 

5-WEEK TERM

Days Refund Percentage
On or before the second day of the term 100
Day 3 of the term 75
Days 4 through 6 of the term 50
Days 7 through 12 of the term 25
After the 12th day of the term 0

 

* Bold type identifies the 60% completion point.

**Note: The length of term is the number of days in that period, including the start and end date but excluding weekends and holidays when classes are not in session:

https://academics.otc.edu/calendar/