Tuition Assistance (TA) is a Department of Defense benefit that helps eligible service members pay for college courses. TA rules and application steps vary by branch of service, so start the process with your own branch before you register for classes at NIU.
When you use TA, NIU applies those funds to your account before other financial aid, including Pell Grant funds and VA education benefits. This makes TA your first payer of tuition costs, and any remaining balance can then be covered by other aid you qualify for.
Contact your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or unit counselor before you register for classes. Your branch must approve your Tuition Assistance request in advance, and some branches require approval as much as 7 days or more before your term starts. If you miss your branch's deadline, you won't be able to use TA for that semester and will be responsible for the full cost of your courses, so start this process as soon as you register.
Each branch manages its own Tuition Assistance program, with its own application steps and eligibility rules. Visit your branch's page below to get started.
Eligibility and application steps from the Army's official benefits site.
Education and Tuition Assistance details from the Marine Corps' official site.
Apply for Tuition Assistance through the Navy College Program.
Eligibility and application steps from the Air Force's official benefits site.
Eligibility and application steps from the Coast Guard's voluntary education program.
If you also qualify for VA education benefits, whether you can use them alongside TA depends on which GI Bill program you have. Here's what to know before you enroll.
You can use TA and the Post-9/11 GI Bill for the same course. NIU applies your TA funds to your account first, and your Chapter 33 benefit covers your remaining tuition and fees.
In most cases, you can't use standard Chapter 30 benefits for a course that TA already covers. If you're on active duty, ask your ESO about Top-Up, a VA benefit that pays the difference between what TA covers and the full cost of your course. Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Tuition Assistance Top-Up page for eligibility details.
You can use TA and Chapter 1606 benefits at the same time as long as you're enrolled at least half time. This applies whether you're in the National Guard or the Selected Reserve.
Combining TA with your VA education benefits can get complicated, and the right approach depends on your situation. Contact Military and Veteran Services for one-on-one help figuring out what works best for you.
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.
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