Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)

FTA Announcements

West Chester University of Pennsylvania's policy for the return of unearned FTA funds .

The Air Force Tuition Assistance Program can be accessed through the AF Portal.

Sailors preparing for college can find valuable information through the Navy College Program Portal.

The Army FTA Program authorizes Tuition Assistance not to exceed 100% with a cap of $250.00 per semester hour and $4,500 for the Fiscal Year.

Tips for Applying

  • Student Veterans initiate the TA process through their branch portal to get approval for use of these funds.
  • Once approval has been received, Student Veterans must provide a copy of certification/approval letter to the WCU Bursar’s Office.
  • The WCU Bursar’s Office is responsible for handling invoicing/collecting of TA monies.
  • Email Jessica Ehst questions regarding invoicing/collecting of TA monies.

Department of Defense (DoD) Changes to Tuition Assistance for Chapter 1606 and 1607

Links Below are regarding the concurrent use of FTA and Chapter 1606 Benefits:

Military Tuition Assistance Program

The Military Tuition Assistance Program pays up to 100% of tuition expenses for semester credit hours costing $250 or less per credit hour, or $166 per quarter hour, if your institution follows a quarter system.

Each Defense Department service branch and the Coast Guard offer active-duty service members financial assistance for voluntary, off-duty education programs. National Guard members and reservists may also be eligible based on their service eligibility and should check with their service for more information.

Classes must be from an accredited two- or four-year institution on or off the installation, or by distance learning. The service branch will pay the school directly. Service members can find out more information from their service branch:

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Program for National Guard

Am I Eligible for the Program?

  • Are you a member in good standing in the Army National Guard?
  • Are you actively drilling with your unit?
  • Are you attending a course of instruction that is included in a vocational program, associate, baccalaureate, graduate or professional degree program offered by an accredited college, university, community college, technical college or trade school?

How Do I Apply for the Program?

  • Learn more about your options from the PA National Guard
  • This is an up-front program and applications must be submitted before classes begin.
  • A separate application must be submitted for each semester/term.

How Do I Get My Tuition Assistance?

  • Once approved the DA Form 2171 is returned to you via AKO e-mail for you to take to the business/financial aid office of the school you are attending.
  • The school is then responsible for billing the Education Services Offices in Lansing
  • The school is paid by USPFO. Lansing or the Education Office.
  • If your tuition is paid through loans, grants ETC., by the time the school receives payment the school can reimburse you or apply the funds to a future semester.

Your Responsibilities

  • You must provide a copy of your grades to the Education office within 30 days of completion of courses. Future requests for FTA will be denied until you have provided grades for previous semesters/terms.
  • You must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in order to continue receiving FTA.
  • Failing grades may result in recoupment of FTA funds.

"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.