Federal Tuition Assistance
The following policy concerning Federal Tuition Assistance conflicting with the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve Education Benefits or the Chapter 1606 GI Bill has recently been changed in a Department of Defense Memorandum. Please note the highlighted changes stated below.
This does not change the current policy regarding the Post 9/11 or Chapter 33 GI Bill utilized in conjunction with Federal Tuition Assistance.
Qualified Selected Reserve Service members may concurrently receive both MGIB-SR under section 16131 of Title 10, U.S. Code and Federal Tuition Assistance (TA) educational benefits under section 2007 of such title, when enrolled in a half-time or greater program of education.
Enclosure 3, paragraph 1.k, of reference (b) establishes policy that TA payments will not be authorized for any course for which a Service member receives GI Bill benefits that constitute a duplication of benefits paid. Enclosure 3, paragraph 3b, of reference (c) describes the circumstance under which payment of both TA and MGIB-SR will constitute a prohibited duplication of benefits. Paragraph 3b should be construed to establish that providing both TA under section 2007 and MGIB-SR education benefits under section 16131 constitutes duplication of education benefits prohibited by policy only when a Service member is enrolled less than halftime in a qualifying program of education.
Consequently, all qualified Selected Reserve Service members are authorized concurrent TA and MGIB-SR benefits when enrolled in a half-time or greater program of education.
The point of contact for TA guidance is Mr. Frederick Engle the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Education and Training at frederick.c.engle.civ@mail.mil or (703) 693-3478. The point of contact for MGIB-SR benefit guidance is Mr. Leonard Litton the Principal Director for Military Personnel Policy at (703) 697-8244 or leonard.g.litton.civ@mail.mil.
Impact of Federal Tuition Assistance (TA) and/or other Federal Funds on Ch 33 Post 9/11 VA Education Benefits
If you plan to receive, Federal or State Tuition Assistance (TA) through the
military, be aware of the following:
- Chapter 33 recipients may use TA and VA, however, the amount of the tuition and fees reported to the VA will be reduced by the amount of Tuition Assistance received.
Students may not receive Federal Tuition Assistance or other Federal Funds in conjunction with Ch 33 Post 9/11 tuition and fees.
The amount that will be reported to the VA will be tuition and fees initially charged to the individual after deducting any amount paid with Federal Funds. Any Federal Funds, excluding Title IV funds, received in excess of tuition and fees will be an overpayment that the student will have to refund to the VA.
Programs that provide educational assistance with non-Title IV Federal Funds include, but are not limited to:
- ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corp)
- MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts)
- HPSP (Health Professionals Scholarship Program)
- GETA (Government Employees Training Act)
- Federal TA (Tuition Assistance through the National Guard or Reserves)
Title IV
Title IV Funds are Federal Financial Aid programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended) and include the following programs:
- Unsubsidized and Subsidized Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL)
- Unsubsidized and Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans
- Federal Perkins Loans
- FFEL Parent (PLUS) Loans, and Federal Direct PLUS Loans
- Federal PELL Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants