Military & Veterans Education Benefits
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.
As a proud military supporter, United States University (USU) is committed to helping military service members and their families transform their lives through affordable, flexible education. It is our privilege to serve those entrusted to us. Each student’s eligibility, benefits, and educational goals may differ. Students utilizing military and veteran education benefits are responsible for personally researching and determining which benefit is the best option for them, based on their personal preferences and the eligibility criteria determined by the organization/institution offering the benefit.
Who We Serve
Service Members
As active-duty military personnel — including National Guard and Selected Reserve — you'll get the support you need to make your next transition.
Veterans
Your experience matters. As a veteran, we'll help maximize your VA benefits and put you on track for the next phase of your career.
Military Spouses
At USU, military spouses are also eligible for tuition discounts.
Decoding Education Benefits Available to Veterans
The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty benefits are available to help service members with education and training costs and are extended to soldiers who have paid into the program. This program provides benefits for those who enlisted or entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985, and meet other eligibility requirements.
Learn more about or apply for this benefit →If you’re a service member or Veteran and have a disability that was caused — or made worse — by your active-duty service and that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, you may be able to get employment support or services to help you live as independently as possible.
Learn more about this benefit →This is the most comprehensive education benefit package since the original GI Bill® was signed into law in 1944. Veterans with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® if they are honorably discharged.
- This bill provides up to 36 months of educational benefits.
- Payments are based on the amount of service you completed after September 10, 2001.
Eligibility for Benefits:
- If your service ended before January 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) benefits will expire 15 years after your last separation date from active service. You must use all of your benefits by that time or you’ll lose whatever’s left.
- If your service ended on or after January 1, 2013, your benefits won’t expire thanks to a law called the Forever GI Bill - Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act.
- Your eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefit is determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
- You must have served on active duty a minimum of 90 aggregate days on or after September 11, 2001.
- While you are still on active duty, you can transfer your education benefits to your spouse and/or dependents upon the approval of the Department of Defense.
- You must receive an honorable discharge to be eligible.
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program offers education and training to qualified dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled because of a service-related condition or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
Learn more about or apply for this benefit →The Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. Chapter 1606 is an educational program for members who are actively participating in the Selected Reserve. Selective Reserve components include the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard.
Monthly W.A.V.E. (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) verification is required to receive payments.
Tuition Rates for Military
To qualify for the per-credit rates below, you must:
- Be an active-duty, guard or reserve service member, eligible veteran, or military spouse
- Supply one of the following documents:
- Leave and Earnings Statement (LES): must be dated within 90 days of document submission.
- Honorable discharge certificate.
- Documents indicating a general discharge or higher:
- DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
- VA letter certifying military service/Benefits summary letter
- NGB Form 22 (National Guard report of separation and Record of Service)
- Military spouses must supply their marriage certificate and one of the documents above.
| Degree Level | Military Rate (per credit) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's (excluding RN-BSN) programs | $260 |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) | $360 |
| Master's (non-FNP) & Post Master's (non-FNP) programs | $370 |
| Teacher Credential Preparation Programs | $370 |
| MSN-FNP & Post-Master's FNP programs | $640 |
| Doctoral programs | $640 |
Military Tuition Assistance (TA)
The Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance to Service members for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of professional and personal self-development goals. TA is available for courses that are part of an approved academic degree or certificate program. The courses must be offered by schools that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and are signatories to the current DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (DoD MOU).
The Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program covers up to 100% tuition and fees, not to exceed $250 per semester credit hour, or $4,500 per fiscal year (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30). Tuition assistance is available to active duty, National Guard, and Reserve Component service members. For service specific TA policies and procedures, visit their voluntary education websites below:
| Degree Level | TA Rate* (per credit) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's (excluding RN-BSN) programs | $200 |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) | $200 |
| Master's (non-FNP) & Post Master's (non-FNP) programs | $250 |
| Teacher Credential Preparation Programs | $250 |
| MSN-FNP & Post-Master's FNP programs | $250 |
| Doctoral programs | Not eligible |
*Technology and graduation fees are waived for TA users. Standard fees such as lab or practicum fees still apply.
All service members interested in using TA must contact their Education Service Officer (ESO) or counselor within their military service prior to being enrolled at United States University.
Per DoD MOU paragraph 4.d. Approved Courses: If an eligible Service member decides to use TA, educational institutions will enroll him or her only after the TA is approved by the individual’s Service. Service members will be solely responsible for all tuition costs without this prior approval. This requirement does not prohibit an educational institution from pre-registering a Service member in a course in order to secure a slot in the course. If the Service member enrolls before the appropriate Service approves Military TA, then the Service member could be responsible for the tuition. All Military TA must be requested and approved prior to the start date of the course. The Military TA is approved on a course-by-course basis, and only for the specific course(s) and class dates that a Service member requests. If a military student “self-identifies” their eligibility and the Service has not approved the funding, then the Service member will be solely responsible for all tuition costs, not the Service.
Step 1
Speak with your USU Military Enrollment Advisor (EA) to review the program and how TA can work for you. Your Military EA will provide you with a Degree Completion Plan.
Step 2
Seek approval from your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within the Military Service.
Step 3
Access the portal for your branch to start the application process. Complete your branch TA request, listing the USU course codes and tuition as provided on your Degree Completion Plan.
Step 4
Email the approved TA authorization to your Military EA at military@usuniversity.edu.
If you withdraw or are dismissed from the University, you may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. For details about the calculation and return of unearned tuition assistance, please refer to the Refund Policy in the University Catalog.
Military & Veterans Student Aid
In addition to VA Benefits, you may be eligible to receive need-based aid. To be eligible to receive any form of need-based aid from United States University, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Financial Aid Questions?
The Office of Financial Aid is here to help.
Phone: 855-313-0885, Option 4
How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?
Step 1
Get an FSA ID at studentaid.gov.
Step 2
Fill out the FAFSA for federal grants and loans. USU’s school code is 040053.
Step 3
Complete online loan counseling here. Learn your responsibilities for any federal student loans you receive.
Step 4
Sign the master promissory note here. This is a pledge to repay your federal student loans with interest and fees.
Ready to Get Started?
Reach out today and let our Military Enrollment Advisor walk through your next step.
- Phone: 855-313-0885
- Email: military@usuniversity.edu
- Live Chat: Click the “Need Help?” at the bottom of any page
United States University is committed to your success — from enrollment to graduation and beyond. Let’s make your education benefit work for you.