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

To Apply for Tuition Assistance

  1. Speak with your education officer, career counselor, or benefits incentive specialists to ensure you are eligible for Tuition Assistance.
  2. Gain approval from your commander to attend classes at The University of Alabama prior to enrollment.
  3. See your base Education Services Officer (ESO) prior to enrolling for classes at The University of Alabama.
  4. Follow specific instructions for your military service branch regarding how to request Tuition Assistance for your course(s). 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.
  5. GoArmyEd service members must submit request in the portal. All other branches of service must submit your approved TA request to the Bama By Distance Military Services Office for processing (email to uadistancemilitary@ua.edu PDF format).
  6. The Student Account Services Office will process your approved TA request, and post the TA credit to your student account. Please ensure you review your MyBama student account to ensure your TA has posted online.

To Apply for TA

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 Point of Contact (POC) for all TA students in Mr. James Shamlee. The Alternate POC is Dr. Nichelle McMullen. James and Nichelle can be reached at 205-348-6220 or by email at uadistancemilitary@ua.edu. James and Nichelle can direct any student needing assistance to the right resource on campus.

TA students may also contact the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs for assistance with any resource on campus and in the community. VMA Staff members can be contacted by phone at  205-348-0983 or by email at vma@ua.edu

Institutional Services/Academic counseling/ Other Student Support Services – Please contact  the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs at 205-348-0983 or by email at vma@ua.edu.

VA Education Benefits: For information about VA education benefits please contact the VMA Office at 205-348-0983 or by email at vma@ua.edu.

Job Search Support – The POC is Ms. Melinda King. Melinda can be reached at 205-348-4904 in the Career Center at  https://career.sa.ua.edu/ and by email at mjking4@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 The Office of Disability Services is the Director, Ms. Vanessa Goepel and she can be reached at can be contacted at 205-348-0285 and by email at ods@ua.edu.

Student Account Services
Primary POC: Kim Lake
Phone: (205) 348-5350
Email: studentaccounts@ua.edu