The Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial aid to active-duty service members for voluntary, off-duty education programs. This program helps service members pursue degree programs or certifications and is a key benefit for those looking to enhance their professional and personal development.

All four service branches and the U.S. Coast Guard offer financial assistance for voluntary, off-duty education programs in support of service members’ personal and professional goals. The program is open to officers, warrant officers and enlisted active-duty service personnel. In addition, members of the National Guard and Reserve Components may be eligible for TA based on their service eligibility. Prior to enrolling, eligible Service members must receive approval from an Education Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within the Military Service.

The Tuition Assistance Program may fund up to 100% of your college tuition and certain fees with the following limits:

• Not to exceed $250 per semester credit hour or $166 per quarter credit hour
• Not to exceed $4,500 per fiscal year, Oct. 1 through Sept. 30
• A maximum of 18 credit hours may be covered per fiscal year

Each military branch has its own TA application form and procedures. Contact your Education Counselor for assistance. Be sure to provide a copy of approved Tuition Assistance authorization/voucher to the SSU Veteran Affairs and Bursar’s offices prior to the established payment deadline.

How to Apply for TA:

1. Access your Service Branch’s Online Portal to create an account

Each service branch has its own online portal for applying for TA.

• Army: ArmyIgnitED
• Navy: MyEducation
• Air Force: AFVEC (Air Force Virtual Education Center)

2. Check with your Education Services Officer (ESO) or Education Center

Visit your local installation education office or a virtual education center.

You will need to submit an education goal. The goal will be sent to your Education Center for review and either approval, disapproval, or request additional information about the goal. Contact your Education Center if your goal is disapproved. You must have an approved education goal to apply for tuition assistance.

3. Request Tuition Assistance

Follow the specific instructions for your service branch’s online portal.

Ensure you request TA before the start date of your courses. TA requests must be submitted typically no earlier than two months but no later than 7 days before the course start date.

4. Approval and Payment

Once approved, provide the Veteran Affairs office with a copy of the approval.

5. Complete the Military Fee Waiver (If Applicable)

Students who are currently active duty members of a branch of the armed forces of the United States or who are members of the Military Reserves/National Guard and have been called to active duty are eligible to request an Exemption of Mandatory Fees at Savannah State University. If the military student is utilizing Federal Tuition Assistance (TA) or paying their own way, they can be approved to receive the waiver. Use of any VA Educational program does not authorize us to offer this waiver.

Active Duty Military Fee Waiver Request

The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (MyCAA) is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,500 in financial assistance for career training to eligible military spouses.

This aid can apply to licenses, certifications, national tests, or associate degrees needed to pursue an occupation or career field. Career Step will also include a laptop for MyCAA military spouses signing up for programs that include e-book textbooks

Who Qualifies for the MyCAA Scholarship?
Spouses of active-duty Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, or National Guard/ARG service members in pay grades E-1 to E-9, O-1 to O-3, and W-1 to W-3 are eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Defense. In addition, the MyCAA Scholarship helps eligible spouses qualify for portable career fields across the United States.

The Georgia National Guard Service Cancelable Loan (GNG SCL) is a student financial aid program that provides loans to be used towards Standard Undergraduate Tuition in a Certificate, Diploma, Associate, Baccalaureate, First Professional Degree or effective FY 2019 (2018-2019), a Graduate Degree program at an Eligible Postsecondary

Institution. This program assists Georgians who serve the State of Georgia and country in the Georgia National Guard to pursue their postsecondary career.  The GNG SCL was established as an incentive for qualified young men and women to join the Georgia National Guard and to retain skilled, productive citizens within the state.

The GNG SCL was created beginning with the 2002-2003 Award Year and reestablished in 2016-2017.

State revenues provide funding for this program, as authorized each year by the Georgia General Assembly. The program is administered by the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA) in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-3-374.

To be eligible, you must:

1. Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of the term of funding;
2. Meet federal Selective Service registration requirements, per Georgia state law. The requirement to register applies to males who were born on or after January 1, 1960, are at least 18, are citizens or eligible non-citizens who came to the United States prior to age 26;
3. Be an active member in good standing with the Georgia National Guard;
4. Be enrolled at least half-time in a certificate, diploma, baccalaureate, graduate, or first professional degree program;
5. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the college or university.
6. Not be in default on a federal Title IV, State of Georgia educational loan, or owe a refund on a federal or State of Georgia student financial aid program;
7. Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990.

Application Procedure

The Georgia National Guard Service Cancelable Loan (GNG SCL) application consists of two parts: application and promissory note. The student must complete Part A of the GNG SCL application and submit to the GNG office for completion of Part B. The student then takes the application and promissory note to the postsecondary institution for completion of Part C.

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis pending available funds. An application must be completed and received by GSFA each year in order to be considered for the loan.  Undergraduate students are also required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year he or she intends to apply for the GNG SCL.