Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a federal benefit program that pays up to 100% of college tuition for eligible active-duty and reserve service members. (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force. The U.S. Department of Defense funds this program to help troops earn degrees or certificates during their off-duty time.
It is easy for military students to start or continue their education. If you are a new student ready to enroll in courses or programs offered by MCC, follow the steps below.
Service members are required to consult with their designated Education Services Officer (ESO) or education counselor within their military service branch prior to enrolling at MCC. Prospective students are directed to receive approval from the student’s ESO, military counselor or Service prior to enrollment.
If at any time you need assistance – do not hesitate to call 910-898-9614 or email us at mailto: munoze6419@montgomery.edu
What should I know about Tuition Assistance?
Through the Department of Defense (DoD) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), MCC is able to better serve our military students and uphold our commitment to academic excellence.
It’s recommended that you complete the process of requesting tuition assistance at least thirty (30) days prior to your MCC class start date!
Military service offers a tremendous array of education benefits that can be used while you are on active duty or after you leave the service. While in uniform, service members have access to up to $4,500 a year in Tuition Assistance. TA is paid to the school on a per class basis. Service members can also use GI Bill benefits, although the Post-9/11 GI Bill, in particular, may be worth more after leaving uniform, when the housing allowance is available to veterans.
How do I submit my Tuition Assistance Request (TAR) & register for classes?
The process for requesting Department of Defense (DoD) tuition assistance (TA) is the same for all branches. Service members are required to consult with their designated Education Services Officer (ESO) or education counselor within their military service branch prior to enrolling at MCC.
Military students using DoD TA must register for classes by scheduling an appointment either in-person or over the phone with their MCC Success Navigator (1st year students) or Academic Advisor (2nd year students) before submitting their Tuition Assistance Request (TAR) via their respective portal. Submitting an approved TAR to MCC does not register students for classes. New students must meet with their Success Navigator or Academic Advisor to register for classes.
TA does not cover books or other course materials. If you need additional financial assistance, visit our Financial Aid webpage in order to apply for FAFSA to see if you qualify for additional funding.
Current Student:
- Meet with your Success Navigator or Academic Advisor to register in-person or use Self-Service to register online.
- We encourage all current students to meet with their assigned Success Navigator or Academic to review their academic plan prior to registering themselves through Self-Service.
New Students:
- Complete an MCC General Admissions Application, including completing N.C. Residency, by going to the website as directed within your admissions application.
- After completing the admissions application, allow 24-48 hours for processing. You will receive an emailed acceptance packet to the email address on your admissions application, that includes your Student ID, Success Navigator contact information, next steps information and log in instructions within 5-7 business days.
- Submit all official high school and college transcript for evaluation *Official transcript evaluation is mandatory for classes with prerequisites requirements.
- Schedule an appointment for advising and registration with your assigned Success Navigator.
Important Notice for Non-Degree Seeking Students
Courses taken as a non-degree seeking student are not eligible for financial aid, VA benefits, or similar funding. Tuition and fees must be paid in full by the posted deadline.
Failure to make payment by the due date will result in being dropped from classes for non-payment.
Each Defense Department service branch offers active-duty service members financial assistance for voluntary, off-duty education programs. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process, and restrictions.
- Air Force Tuition Assistance
- Army Tuition Assistance
- Navy Tuition Assistance
- Marine Corps Tuition Assistance
- Coast Guard Tuition Assistance
- Space Force Tuition Assistance
- National Guard Tuition Assistance
- Reserve Tuition Assistance
Service members must submit the Tuition Assistance Request (TAR) via their respective portal up to 60 and no less than 7 days prior to MCC’s term start date. All TARs must be approved no less than 7 days prior to the term start date of the course. If the TAR is not approved prior to course start date, the service member is solely responsible for all tuition costs.
Students receiving Federal Title IV funding (Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) and active duty military or veteran students receiving tuition sponsorship through the Military Tuition Assistance Program or Veteran’s Administration, who completely withdraw from classes, are required to have aid evaluated to determine amount earned. Unearned aid is returned to the federal programs.
Per DoD MOU paragraph 4.f.(2)(d), institutions are required to “have an institutional policy that returns any unearned TA funds on a proportional basis through at least the sixty percent portion of the period for which the funds were provided.” Military tuition assistance (TA) is provided to a student under the premise that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is provided. When a student withdraws (officially or unofficially) on or before the 60 percent of the course meeting period has been completed, Montgomery Community College will comply with the Department of Defense (DOD) policy to return unearned TA funds on a proportional basis through the 60 percent portion of the period for which the TA funds were provided. After completion of 60 percent of the term, all TA funds are considered fully earned and no return is necessary.
In instances when a service member stops attending due to military service obligation (deployment or temporary duty), Montgomery Community College will work with the affected service member to identify solutions that will avoid student debt for the returned portion of TA funds. The return of unearned military TA funds will follow the same guidelines as the Department of Education Title IV funding, outlined in the Refund Policy and Requirements for Withdrawal. The unearned TA funds will be returned to the military service, not the service member, within 45 days of the determination of withdrawal.
- Tuition Assistance (TA) is capped at $250 per semester hour.
- Restricted to a maximum of $4500 or 18 semester hours per fiscal year.
- TA is approved on a course-by course basis.
- TA will only cover the cost of tuition. Financial Aid such as Pell Grants and Loans can be used in conjunction with TA.
- TA is limited to 130 semester hours of undergraduate credit or baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first. You cannot use TA at an educational level that is equal to or below any degree that you already have.