All tuition assistance questions and help should be directed to your Education Services Office (ESO) or your unit/branch. Our office does not submit or receive information regarding any tuition assistance program.

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.

Service Members Should

  1. Service members should first contact their branch directly to inquire about their eligibility and the process for submitting the Tuition Assistance form through their branch’s platform.
  2. Once approved by your branch Education Services Office (ESO), new or returning students can contact Student Veteran Services at studentveteranservices@appstate.edu or 828-262-2722 to notify of use of tuition assistance, but it is not required.
  3. Complete your FAFSA. Even if your/your families' income doesn't qualify you for federal aid, a FAFSA is needed 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.
  4. If you are not already considered for in-state tuition, you are able to submit an in-state tuition appeal for active-duty service. You can find information on documentation needed on our VA Benefits FAQs page. Students must be physically in the state of North Carolina to receive this benefit.

Student Accounts is your main contact for payments to your account, applying TA to your account, or missing or incorrect TA funds.

For Air Force 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
  • 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 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 benefits for the same courses for which they receive TA. Depending on your mobilization time, National Guard and Reserve Service members may have varying percentages of Chapter 33 benefits ranging from 50 to 100%. Schools must deduct TA benefits from the overall tuition and fees submitted to VA, and Chapter 33 is used to pay toward the remaining out-of-pocket costs. 

Our office will only report Chapter 33 tuition and fees once your TA has been deposited into your account. 

Army Tuition Assistance (ArmyIgnitED)

Soldiers must request FTA through ArmyIgnitED prior to the course start date.

  • TA is requested on a course-by-course basis.
  • TA can be requested up to 60 days prior to the class start date.
  • TA requests must be made before the class start date to be considered for funding.
  • Soldiers must have an approved Education Path on file before they are eligible to request TA.

Steps to use Federal Tuition Assistance (TA) through ArmyIgnitED:

  1. First contact your branch directly to inquire about your eligibility and the process for submitting the Tuition Assistance form through your branch’s platform.
  2. Create ArmyIgnitED account. You will need your CAC card to help create an account, which can limit your ability to access the system when off-duty unless you have USB CAC card readers.
  3. Select your school and create your Educational Path. Your ArmyIgnitED counselor and Appalachian State University has to approve your Education Path before you can move forward.
  4. Once approved by your branch's ESO, new or returning students can contact Student Veteran Services at studentveteranservices@appstate.edu or 828-262-2722 to notify of use of tuition assistance, but it is not required.
  5. Complete your FAFSA. Even if your/your families' income doesn't qualify you for federal aid, a FAFSA is needed 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.
  6. If you are not already considered for in-state tuition, you are able to submit an in-state tuition appeal for active-duty service. You can find information on documentation needed on our VA Benefits FAQs page. Students must be physically in the state of North Carolina to receive this benefit.

If your degree program or courses aren’t appearing on the ArmyIgnitED website, contact Eric Berry in the Office of the Registrar for assistance.

Student Accounts is your main contact for payments to your account, applying TA to your account, or missing or incorrect TA funds.

Everything must be approved before the first day of the semester in order to receive it for the semester.

Reminder: You get a maximum of 18 credits per fiscal year of TA (fiscal year runs 10/1-9/30), paid at most $250 per credit for a total of $4,500 towards tuition. TA does not cover the comprehensive fee or any tuition differential fees or course fees.

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.

Service members should:

  1. Complete an online application: NC TAP Application
    1. NCTAP has their own deadlines for when to submit requests for TA use for the semester on their website.
  2. Once approved for NC TAP by your branch Education Services Office (ESO), new or returning students can contact Student Veteran Services at studentveteranservices@appstate.edu or 828-262-2722 to notify of use of tuition assistance, but it is not required.
  3. Complete your FAFSA. Even if your/your families' income doesn't qualify you for federal aid, a FAFSA is needed 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.
  4. If you are not already considered for in-state tuition, you are able to submit an in-state tuition appeal for active-duty service. You can find information on documentation needed on our VA Benefits FAQs page. Students must be physically in the state of North Carolina to receive this benefit.

Student Accounts is your main contact for payments to your account, applying TA to your account, or missing or incorrect TA funds.