All tuition assistance system questions and help should be directed to your Education Services Office (ESO) or your unit/branch.
Members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard are eligible for Armed Forces Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA). Each service is able to pay up to 100% of its members’ in-state tuition expenses. Tuition Assistance is usually paid directly to the institution.
1. Contact Your Branch or Education Service Office (ESO).
Each branch has a distinct process of applying for tuition assistance, with most starting with to talk with your command about taking courses. If you have questions or need assistance with applying, your ESO will be able to help.
Even if your/your families' income doesn't qualify you for federal aid, a FAFSA is needed for university- or state-specific grants. Many students use TA and federal grants from FAFSA at the same time.
If you need assistance with filing a FAFSA, reach out to us or to the Office of Financial Aid.
3. If you are not already considered for in-state tuition, you are able to submit an in-state tuition appeal.
In-state tuition can only be considered if the student plans to relocate physically to North Carolina for their degree program, including for ASU Online and Flight Path.
You can find the required documents to file a tuition appeal and who to send it to in our VA Benefits FAQs page.
4. If you have private insurance (TriCare®, BCBS, etc.), complete a medical insurance waiver.
Appalachian requires that every student have some form of health insurance. If a student does not have health insurance privately or through their parents, they can choose the student health insurance plan provided by the university.
If you have a private health insurance like TriCare®, Blue Cross Blue Shield®, Aetna®, etc., you can complete a medical insurance waiver to void the automatic insurance charge to your bill. This will need to be done each semester.
Student Accounts is your main contact for payments to your account, applying TA to your account, or missing or incorrect TA funds.
If your intended major/program is not listed in your TA Request Portal, reach out to our office.
Grades and Grade Requirements
Our office, alongside the Office of the Registrar, report grades on your behalf within the 30 day course completion window as set by most branches. It is ultimately your responsibility to make sure that your grades are reported and accurate to avoid recoupment of funds.
Recoupment (pay back) of funds will occur for course below minimum grade requirements:
Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard: Grade of "C" or lower for any undergraduate-level course; Grade of "B" or lower for any graduate-level course.
Army: Grade of “D” or lower for any undergraduate-level course; Grade of “C” or lower for any graduate-level course.
Incomplete (I) grades must be reported within 6 months (1 semester) to avoid recoupment.
Grades labeled as "W" (withdraw) have the option to be waived, but some branches have distinct situations for a waiver. Contact your ESO for details on the process.
For Air Force and Navy TA: Your TA will only be released by your command once your courses have been completed and grades have been reported by the university. It may be beneficial to talk to Student Accounts early to understand payment plans and schedules with the use of your TA.
Limitations
Maximum of $250 per credit hour
Cannot exceed $4,500 per fiscal year (10/1 - 9/30)
Comprehensive fees or course fee charges are not included
All qualified MGIB-SR Service members are authorized to use both TA and MGIB-SR benefits (Ch. 1606) concurrently when enrolled in a program of education that is half-time or greater. Concurrent use is not authorized when enrolled less than half-time.
For concurrent use with Chapter 33:
Active Duty, National Guard, and Reservist members may receive Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI BIll®) benefits for the same courses for which they receive TA. Schools must deduct TA benefits from the overall tuition and fees submitted to VA, and Ch. 33 is used to pay toward the remaining out-of-pocket costs. We cannot submit for TA use if you currently have 100% benefit percentage for Ch. 33.
Our office will only report Chapter 33 tuition and fees once your TA has been deposited into your account.
North Carolina National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (NC TAP)
NCTAP is an educational reimbursement program for actively drilling Army and Air National Guard members of North Carolina. It is available for use before attending IADT.
Members must have a minimum obligation of two years remaining as a member of the North Carolina National Guard from the time of application.
No applications are accepted after the following deadlines set by the National Guard ESO:
Fall Term: August 1 - August 30
Spring Term: January 1 - January 30
Summer Term I: April 12 - May 10
Summer Term II: June 1 - June 12
Take care of ETS dates and flags early.
2. Complete your FAFSA.
Even if your/your families' income doesn't qualify you for federal aid, a FAFSA opens opportunities for university- or state-specific grants. If you need assistance with filing a FAFSA, reach out to us or to the Office of Financial Aid.
3. If you are not already considered for in-state tuition, you are able to submit an in-state tuition appeal.
In-state tuition can only be considered if the student plans to relocate physically to North Carolina for their degree program, including for ASU Online and Flight Path.
You can find the required documents to file a tuition appeal and who to send it to in our VA Benefits FAQs page.
4. If you have private insurance (TriCare®, BCBS, etc.), complete a medical insurance waiver.
Appalachian requires that every student have some form of health insurance. If a student does not have health insurance privately or through their parents, they can choose the student health insurance plan provided by the university.
If you have a private health insurance like TriCare®, Blue Cross Blue Shield®, Aetna®, etc., you can complete a medical insurance waiver to void the automatic insurance charge to your bill. This will need to be done each semester.
Student Accounts is your main contact for payments to your account, applying TA to your account, or missing or incorrect TA funds.
Closest ESOs to Boone
Air Force
Pope Education Center
829 Stiner Road, Pope Education Center, Bldg. 430, Pope Army Airfield, NC 28308
Phone: 910-394-4692
Email: 43fss.dpe.popeeducationservices@us.af.mil
Army
Fort Bragg Army Education Center
4520 Knox Street, Building 1-3571, Fort Bragg, NC 28310
