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Tuition Assistance

UMSL is a proud signer of the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (the DoD MOU). If you intend to use a DoD education benefit (Federal or State Tuition Assistance). Eligibility for the Tuition Assistance program depends on your branch of service. UMSL strives to be proactive in its compliance with DoD MOU policies related to Recruiting and Financial Aid practices.

Instances when a service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the educational institution will work with the affected service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) by Branch of Service:

Army

  • Eligible for FTA after joining the military
  • FTA can be used towards a bachelor's, master's, certificate programs
  • Must be in good standing at your unit (not flagged)
  • Pays towards tuition only (no books or fees included)
  • Can be used for up to 18 semester hours per fiscal year (Oct 1 - Sept 30), not to exceed
    • $250 per semester credit hour, or
    • $4,500 maximum per fiscal year.
  • Members must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher for undergraduate degree and 3.0 for graduate degrees
  • Apply at ArmyIgnited. Information needed for application (all in PDF format): 
    1. Degree program must include soldier's name, degree name, school name, academic advisor's name, and list all courses required to complete the degree by course name, number, and number of semester hours per class. Degree plan can be found in MyView.

Army Ignited How to Video.

AFVEC Education Goal.

Questions? Contact Missouri Education Services Specialist: Bryan Steele at (573) 638-9500 ext. 37053

  Once approved, please take your award letter to the Student Financial Services Office.

State Tuition Assistance (TA)

 Eligibility

  • Must be a member of the Missouri Army/Air National Guard
  • Soldiers who have completed AIT, BOLC, or OCS but have not met the one year requirement ARE ELIGIBLE to use State Tuition Assistance prior to applying for and using Federal Tuition Assistance. 
  • Soldiers who meet the one year requirement after completion of AIT, BOLC, or OCS must apply and use Federal Tuition first.
  • Members must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

State TA

  • May only be utilized for one undergraduate degree
  • Pays 100% of tuition up to a maximum of $414.00 per credit hour
  • Can be used for up to 15 credit hours for the fall term, 15 hours for the spring, and 9 hours for the summer per year (July 1 - June 30).

To apply for benefits or learn more about the State TA program, visit the Missouri National Guard website OR Download the Application.

 Required Documentation:

Submit the following documents as PDF files:

  • Paid Fees Letter from MyView (under Finances and you must select to add course schedule).
    • This serves as both your itemized bill and course schedule.
  • Unofficial or official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. (must contain students name, schools name, and cumulative GPA)
  • FAFSA completion documentation or FAFSA confirmation email.
  • Tuition Assistance Requests (TARs) from ArmyIgnitED or AFVEC, if applicable.
  • Signed Commanders Letter 
  • Note: Only Air National Guard members on active-duty status may be eligible for Federal Tuition Assistance through AFVEC.

Once approved, please take your award letter to the Cashier’s Office in the Millennium Student Center, room 327.

Questions?