Active Duty

Per DoD MOU, paragraph 4.d.(1), “If an eligible Service member decides to use Tuition Assistance (TA), educational institutions will enroll him or her only after the TA is approved by the individual’s Service."

Contact an Education Service Officer or counselor within your military service branch prior to enrolling at 91勛圖 to obtain Tuition Assistance (TA) benefits. Tuition Assistance course approval must be authorized before the first day of classes. However, some service branches require approval a week prior to the first day of classes.

Military Tuition Assistance Resources


Unearned TA Policy

1. Policy

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. To comply with Department of Defense policy, MOU Paragraph 4.f.(2)(d) 91勛圖 (91勛圖) will return any unearned TA funds to the Department of Defense (“DOD”) on a prorated basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned to the DOD based upon when a student stops attending. Return of funds to the DOD may result in student debt, for which the student will be responsible.

Unearned TA funds will be returned on a prorated basis, depending on the length of the course. To determine the amount of funds that will be returned to the DOD, the institution will utilize the tables reflected in the “Procedures” section below.

In instances when a service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, SCTC will work with the affected service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion in compliance with the DOD policy.

2. Purpose

This policy serves to fully inform students receiving military tuition assistance (TA) of the required actions the 91勛圖 must take to comply with the DOD Memorandum of Understanding Return Policy for Military Tuition Assistance (TA) funds rules and align with the return of unearned student aid rules applicable to the Federal Student Aid as required under section 484B of the Department of Education Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all students receiving Military Tuition Assistance (TA) for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.

4. Definitions

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. Congress has given each branch of service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its member. Each branch of service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application processes and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual branch of service. This policy only applies to this type of educational benefit. The TA program is a benefit that is available only while the student is in the service. This policy does not apply to Veterans or Veterans benefits.

5. Procedures

To remain in compliance with the Department of Defense’s policy, 91勛圖 will return any unearned TA funds through at least 60% of the semester on a prorated basis. The amount of unearned TA that is returned is based on the date of withdrawal from the course.

After 60% of the semester has passed, TA will not be evaluated for a return to the DOD. The Unearned TA Return Schedule is as follows:

5-week course drop
Week of Class Return Amount:
Before or during week 1 100% return
During week 2 60% return
During week 3 (60% of course is completed) 40% return
During week 4 and 5 0% return
6-week course drop
Week of Class Return Amount:
Before or during week 1 100% return
During week 2 60% return
During week 3-4 (60% of course is completed) 40% return
During week 5 and 6 0% return
7-week course drop
Week of Class Return Amount:
Before or during week 1 100% return
During week 2-3 75% return
During week 4 (60% of course is completed) 40% return
During week 5-7 0% return
8-week course drop
Week of Class Return Amount:
Before or during week 1 100% return
During week 2 75% return
During week 3-4 50% return
During week 5 (60% of course is completed) 40% return
During week 6-8 0% return
10-week course drop
Week of Class Return Amount:
Before or during week 1 100% return
During week 2-3 75% return
During week 4-5 50% return
During week 6 (60% of course is completed) 40% return
During week 7-10 0% return
12-week course drop
Week of Class Return Amount:
Before or during week 1 100% return
During week 2-4 75% return
During week 5-6 50% return
During week 7 (60% of course is completed) 40% return
During week 8-12 0% return
13-week course drop
Week of Class Return Amount:
Before or during week 1-2 100% return
During week 3-5 75% return
During week 6-7 50% return
During week 8 (60% of course is completed) 40% return
During week 9-13 0% return
15-week course drop
Week of Class Return Amount:
Before or during week 1-2 100% return
During week 3-4 75% return
During week 5-7 50% return
During week 8-9 (60% of course is completed) 40% return
During week 10-15 No funds will be returned

The percent of TA funds to be returned for courses that have start dates that do not correspond to the above will be based on the actual start and end dates of the course.

6. Point of Contact

Contact the Director Military & Veterans Services.

7. Approval and Revision Dates

Public Law 117 -328 section 3691A “Withdrawal or leave of absence from certain education.”

Public Law 117-328, which was signed on December 29, 2022, adds to Title 38 of the U.S. Code a new section, section 3691A “Withdrawal or leave of absence from certain education.”

Specifically, 38 U.S.C. §3691A(a)(2)(B) provides that an educational institution may not take the following actions when a member receives orders for a period of service:

  • Assigning the member a failing grade,
  • Reducing the member’s grade point average,
  • Characterizing any member’s absence(s) as unexcused, or
  • Assessing a financial penalty on a member because of a withdrawal or leave of absence due to receiving orders for service.

Additionally, 38 U.S.C. §3691A(b) provides that an educational institution must take the following actions when a member withdraws due to receiving orders for a period of service:

  • Refunding all tuition and fees paid for the academic term to the appropriate party. Please note that VA’s interpretation of academic term is the term as reported to your State Approving Agency and VA.
  • Refunding payments made by the student (or behalf of the student) to the institution for housing. Please note that in this instance the reference to housing is not the monthly housing allowance provided by the Post 9/11 GI Bill but rather housing costs such as dorm fees.

Finally, 38 U.S.C. §3691A(c) provides that an educational institution must take the following actions when a member takes a leave of absence from a course(s) due to receiving orders for a period of service:

  • Assigning a grade of incomplete (or equivalent) for the course(s) during the term, and
  • Providing the opportunity to complete the term after the period of service.

  • Students utilizing Department of Defense Tuition Assistance benefits are required complete a Service Members Opportunity College (SOC) Agreement with 91勛圖. 91勛圖 is required to submit a copy of a student's SOC agreement to the military. .
  • A student must be enrolled in at least one 91勛圖 course and complete the Military Credit Evaluation Request Form before joint service transcripts will be evaluated. .
  • The Central Records Office will complete evaluations of transcripts such as CLEP/DANTES and transcripts from regionally accredited schools.
  • The Office of Military Services will complete evaluations of all military transcripts via Joint Services Transcript. Contact militaryservices@nvcc.edu for more information. Community College of the Air Force transcripts will be evaluated by 91勛圖’s College Records Office (CRO).
    • Army Transcripts: 
    • Navy/Marine Corps Transcripts: 
    • Air Force Transcripts: 
    • Coast Guard Transcripts: 

Learn more about what you need to do to prepare for your education at 91勛圖 by visiting Military & Veterans Admissions.

Special provisions for active duty military, veterans, and their families allow them to pay in-state tuition without meeting normal domicile/Virginia residency requirements. Complete the Military-In-State Tuition Form and submit it (with the listed documents) to any 91勛圖 Student Services Registrar’s office.