Army Revises Tuition Assistance Policy
The Army has made important changes to its Tuition Assistance and Credentialing Assistance programs. The initiative is meant to go beyond increasing financial aid and aims to ensure that assistance effectively helps soldiers achieve their goals while serving and beyond.
Army Credentialing Assistance is described as a way for the military to help “pay for courses and exams that lead to industry-recognized civilian credentials” in an “occupational area of your choice” as long as it is on the Army list.
Applications for either program must be approved before the course start date, and according to an Army press release, the new policy “brings the service members’ leadership into the approval chain to help streamline the process.”
Army Tuition Assistance is “financial assistance for voluntary off-duty civilian education programs in support of a Soldier’s professional and personal self-development goals.”
Changes To Know About Army TA and CA
Both programs’ changes affect the financial support soldiers receive for college and the options available for professional certifications. According to Army.mil, the updated rules include a $500 increase and a two semester-hour increase for tuition assistance. They also include restrictions, as we’ll discuss below.
“The Army recognizes the value of the Tuition Assistance and Credentialing Assistance programs, both of which support our soldiers’ professional development and readiness levels,” says Christine Traugott of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Read next: Active Duty Benefits Guide
Phase One Changes
The Army program’s changes come in two phases. Phase One includes changes in tuition assistance, including an increased annual cap of $4500 (up from $4000) and a new 18-hour limit on semester hours (up from 16).
Phase One also includes some restrictions on Army credentialing assistance, including a decreased annual cap lowered to $2000 from the previous $4000. Soldiers are limited to one credential year and cannot use the program more than three times in 10 years.
Aviation credentials are limited to $1000 per year, and troops may be required to take an associated credential exam or pay back the cost of training.
Why the restrictions? The Army’s costs for Tuition Assistance and Credentialing Assistance have increased year over year since it started the program in 2020, forcing a review of existing policies.
Phase Two Changes
Phase Two changes include the following:
- Suspended Credentialing Assistance and Tuition Assistance for those with two “recoupments” in a year
- Commissioned officers cannot use Credentialing Assistance
- Command approval is required for TA and CA requests.
Army.mil states that the typical cost of a credential is approximately $1,700, and troops get “an average of 1.5 credentials a year.” The Army’s changes to Tuition Assistance bring it closer to the types of options offered by the Navy and Air Force.
What To Know About Army Education Benefits
To be approved for Army educational benefits, applicants must have enough time remaining in their service commitment to complete the training. Those applying for Army Tuition Assistance as officers or warrant officers must agree to a two-year service commitment in exchange for Tuition Assistance.
Troops do not need to re-up when using Army Credentialing Assistance. You can apply for either program using ArmyIgnitED.
Read next: Active Duty Benefits Guide
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
