Tuition Assistance

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Each military service branch and component has their own criteria for Tuition Assistance eligibility, military service obligation, application process and restrictions. It is recommended you speak with your chain of command and a University of Alabama representative for further guidance to request your TA benefits.

Prior to enrolling and using tuition assistance at The University of Alabama, please speak with your Educational Service Officer (ESO) or counselor within your military service.

For more information, review your military service website for details on your eligibility and the process for requesting tuition assistance.

Military Educational Benefit Information

TA is a tuition reimbursement program. Payments are made directly to the university by your branch of military service. You are responsible for any costs over and above what your eligible TA benefits provide. For information regarding payment deadlines and payment plan options, please visit the student accounts service page.

To Apply for Tuition Assistance

Follow the instructions for your military service branch regarding how to request Tuition Assistance (TA) through the perspective portal for your course(s) in your military education portal. Take note of the TA application instructions/deadlines specific to your branch and The University of Alabama academic calendar to ensure your request is processed in a timely manner.

After Admission…

  1. Receive Academic Advising.
  2. Register for courses in myBama.
  3. Request Tuition Assistance by selecting the TA request link.
  4. You will receive an email confirmation acknowledging your form is being sent forward to the UA Student Account Services Office for processing.

For each term, service members can begin requesting TA 60 days prior to the start of classes.

All TA requests must be submitted and approved at least seven days prior to the start of classes each semester to allow time for processing. TA requests submitted fewer than seven business days before the start date and that are not approved prior to the start date will not be considered for TA funding for that term.

For any questions regarding submitting a Tuition Assistance (TA) form, please contact the UA Online Military Services team at uadistancemilitary@ua.edu or (205) 348-6220. You can book a one-on-one phone or virtual appointment with their military service team member on our website.

Military Branch Education Portals

General Information about Military Tuition Assistance

  • TA is exclusive to currently serving members of the Armed Forces. If your ETS date falls during the academic semester you will not get TA for that semester.
  • TA is requested on a course-by-course basis, and each course must be part of an approved degree program.
  • TA cannot be used for a lateral degree (you cannot use TA to earn a 2nd bachelor’s degree)
  • TA can be reimbursed for up to 100% of the course cost, not to exceed $250 per credit hour; up to $4500 per fiscal year applies for Air Force, Navy, and Marines. Army cannot exceed $250 per credit hour; up to $4000 per fiscal year and Coast Guard cannot exceed $250 per credit hour; up to $2250 per fiscal year. (Fiscal year resets on October 1)
  • TA may NOT cover all course fees.
  • TA can be used in conjunction with the GI Bill®, but with some restrictions; contact The University of Alabama Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (VMA) for guidance at 205-348-0983 or email vma@ua.edu.
  • TA requests should be completed prior to the start of the semester. Each military service branch has its own deadline.
  • You must clear all prior balances and holds with the University in order to confirm your schedule each term.
  • TA is a tuition reimbursement program; you will not receive an up-front payment. Payments are made directly to the University and may be applied later in the semester. You must pay all tuition due on your account when viewable. If you cannot pay the amount due by the confirmation date, the University offers the option to pay in full or to pay via participation in a payment plan. There is a $30.00 deferment fee. Payments not made by the provided deadline will result in schedule cancellation. Accounts that do not have TA applied must still be confirmed.

UA Online Military Tuition Grant

The University of Alabama Online has established the UA Online Military Tuition Grant beginning Fall 2022. This new grant for UA Online undergraduate active-duty, National Guard and reserve military students covers tuition costs not paid by military tuition assistance, up to the maximum amount allowed per service branch. This grant can cover up to 6 credit hours each term (fall, spring and summer) and up to 18 credit hours per academic year.

To be eligible for the UA Online Military Tuition Grant:

  • The student must be an active-duty Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine, Space Force, National Guard or Reserve service member receiving tuition assistance. (Note: This does not include veterans, spouses or dependents.)
  • The student must be admitted to an undergraduate UA Online program and enrolled in classes.

Students with questions can contact our UA Online Military Services team at uadistancemilitary@ua.edu or 205-348-6220. Students also are encouraged to book a one-on-one phone or virtual appointment with James Shamlee, Military Services Associate Program Manager.

Additional information can be found on the UA Online Military website or the UA Online Military Tuition Grant website.

Military/Veteran Contact Information

TA – The POC for all TA students in Mr. James Shamlee. James can be reached at 205-348-6220 or by email at uadistancemilitary@ua.edu. James can direct any student needing assistance to the right resource on campus.

TA – The Alternate POC for TA students is Ms. Ashley Hallman, Ashley can be reached at 205-348-0983 in the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs and by email at amfields@ua.edu or by contacting the office email at vma@bama.ua.edu. Ashley can assist students with TA and TOP UP GI Bill benefits as well as all other GI Bill benefits.

Institutional Services/Academic counseling/ Other Student Support Services – The POC is Mrs. Kristy Cole-Wilson. Kristy can be reached at 205-348-0983 in the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs and by email at klcole@ua.edu or by contacting the office email at vma@bama.ua.edu.

VA Education Benefits: The POC for VA Education Benefits is Mrs. Kristy Cole-Wilson. Kristy can be reached at 205-348-0983 in the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs and by email at klcole@ua.edu or by contacting the office email at vma@bama.ua.edu.

Job Search Support – The POC is Dr. Schernavia Hall. Schernavia can be reached at 205-348-3091 in the Career Center at  https://career.sa.ua.edu/ and by email at schernavia.m.hall@ua.edu .

Title IV Funding is handled in the Financial Aid Office. The POC for Financial Aid is Mrs. Helen Allen. Helen can be reached at 205-348-7949 and by email at helen.allen@ua.edu. The Financial Aid website is https://financialaid.ua.edu/

The POC for The Office of Disability Services is the Assistant Director, Ms. Brittany Gregg and she can be reached at 205-348-4285 and by email at bmgregg@ua.edu or at  ods@ua.edu.

The POC for Student Account Services is Ms. Kim Lake, Kim can be reached at 205-348-5350 or by email at studentaccounts@ua.edu