Tuition Assistance (TA) is a Department of Defense (DoD) benefit paid to eligible service members of all branches of the Armed Forces to assist with the cost of tuition. The program is not administered by the Veterans Administration (VA). Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members.
Steps to Apply
Each service branch has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application processes and restrictions. Active duty service members who intend to use Tuition Assistance (TA) should contact their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or chain of command within their specific service area for information on TA prior to the enrollment process. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services.
Contact your branch for details on your eligibility and the branch’s process for submitting the Tuition Assistance form.
- Air Force
- Army (Active and Reserve)
- National Guard
- Coast Guard Education Center
- Marine Corp Education Benefits
- Navy Education Center
- Space Force Education Center
Follow these general steps to use your active duty Tuition Assistance (TA) benefits at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa:
- Apply and be accepted to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
- Contact the ESO for your military branch or chain of command to begin the TA application process before registering for classes. You will need your UH ID number and identify the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa as your institution.
- Before registering, meet with your school or college academic advisor to complete an education plan.
- Make and upload a copy of your education plan to your respective military portal.
- Follow your branch’s specific instructions on how to request TA for your course(s). If you are enrolled at more than one UH campus, you must specify which classes are being taken at each campus.
- Submit your approved TA voucher (which is signed by you and your military branch) to the Cashier’s Office, QLC #105 or email a PDF copy to their email address at billpayment-l@lists.hawaii.edu. Military branches DO NOT automatically send your voucher! You must send the voucher directly to the Cashier’s Office.
The Cashier’s Office will certify the voucher and request payment from DoD. The university will then apply these funds towards your account. You are responsible for any remaining balance. - In accordance with your branch’s requirement, the Office of the Registrar will report your official grades to the DoD at the end of semester.
Return of Tuition Assistance Funds
The Department of Defense requires a return of tuition assistance funds when a class is dropped after completing less than 60% of it. Returns are prorated based on the percentage of completed class time.
| Regular 16 Semester | Percent Returned to DoD |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | 100% |
| Weeks 3-4 | 75% |
| Weeks 5-8 | 50% |
| Weeks 9-10 | 40% (60% of them completed) |
| Weeks 11-16 | 0% |
Financial Aid and Tuition & Fee Resources
Military Tuition Assistance Contact Information
Procedural questions about Tuition Assistance may be directed to the Cashier’s Office/Office of the Bursar at billpayment-l@lists.hawaii.edu.
Inquiries about adding courses, reporting final grades, or specific complaints regarding the university’s processing of Tuition Assistance may be directed to the University Registrar.