Air Force and Air National Guard
Air Force Tuition Assistance Funding
Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA) funds both classroom and online courses leading to certificate, associate,
bachelor's, and master's degree programs. The Air Force Virtual Education Center is the online portal where
Airmen search educational institutions and create an education goal, apply for TA funding, manage educational
records, and receive support from Air Force Education Counselors.
To access the Air Force Virtual Education
Center, users need to create an account and use their Common Access Card (CAC).
Air Force Tuition Assistance Guidelines - Air Force TA Funds:
- Up to $250 per semester credit (tuition only) toward a maximum of 18 semester credits per fiscal year;
$4,500 maximum per fiscal year
- Up to 124 semester credits of undergraduate credit and up to 42 semester credits of graduate credit
- Request TA in the Air Force Virtual Education Center up to 45 days prior and no later than 7 days prior
to the course start date
- Maintain a 2.0 or higher TA GPA for undergraduate courses or a 3.0 or higher TA GPA for graduate courses
Getting Started
- Log into the Air Force Virtual Education Center
- Select start a Funding Request
- Enter the required information: Base, Educational Goal, School Information, Term Dates, Course Information,
Credit Cost, Supervisor Information, TA Application
- Submit your information: agree to all conditions
- Meet with your Education Services Officer/Counselor
- Submit your TA request
Air Force COOL (Credentialing opportunities On-Line) Program
The Air Force COOL Program provides Airmen with funding for credentials on the
Air Force COOL website:
- Up to $4,500 per lifetime toward certifications
- Eligible members may attain only one credential at a time per category
- Expenses covered for exams, books (not to exceed $500), admin/application fees, and recertification fees
necessary for that one credential
New York Air National Guard Recruitment and Retention Program (RIRP)
The Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP) is a New York State program designed to support NY Air
National Guard members in pursuit of their education. This program will pay the cost of tuition up to SUNY
tuition rates per semester.
RIRP eligibility requirements:
- Be in good standing with the State Military Forces (attend or make-up all drills and annual training)
- Be accepted and enrolled in an undergraduate degree-granting program for a minimum of six (6) credit hours
per semester or four (4) credit hours per quarter
- Be a resident of the State of New York for a period of 186 days prior to using the program, excluding
Active-Duty periods
For more information, contact your Retention Office Manager or Education Service Representative for more
information at 518-786-4326 or visit the website https://dmna.ny.gov/education/?id=rirp
College Credit for Military Education and Triaining
Air University (AU)/Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcript - Air University transcripts are
available for all students who have completed courses/programs with AU or CCAF. AU/CCAF uses electronic
transcript ordering through Parchment.
The AU/CCAF Transcript documents military education and training for Air Force service members. AU/CCAF is
regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Students should request an official AU/CCAF Transcript to be sent to the SUNY campus of your choice to determine
how your military education experiences transfers to a degree program.
Army and Army National Guard
Army Tuition Assistance Funding
Army Tuition Assistance (TA) funds both classroom and online courses leading to certificate, associate,
bachelor's, and master's degree programs. ArmyIgnitED is the online portal where soldiers search educational
institutions and create an education goal, apply for TA funding, manage educational records, and receive support
from Army Education Counselors.
To access ArmyIgnitED, users
need to create an account and use their Common Access Card (CAC).
Getting Started
- Log into ArmyIgnitED and activate your account by clicking “Get Started”
- Attend an ArmyIgnitED 101 briefing
- Create an education goal (select academic institution and degree plan)
- Register for courses at your academic institution
- Create ArmyIgnitED TA Request for courses required for degree completion
- Review ArmyIgnitED TA Requests
Army Tuition Assistance Guidelines - Army TA Funds:
- Up to $250 per semester credit (tuition only) toward a maximum of 18 semester credits per fiscal year;
$4,500 maximum per fiscal year
- One degree at the Associate, Bachelor's and Master's levels
- Up to 130 semester credits of undergraduate credit, up to 39 semester credits of graduate credit, up to 21
semester credits for an academic certificate
- TA funding for Special Programs (AMEDD, foreign language training)
- Colleges provide an official Evaluated Degree Plan prior to completing 6 semester credits
- Request TA in ArmyIgnitED up to 60 days prior and no later than 7 days prior to the course start date
- Maintain a 2.0 or higher TA GPA for undergraduate courses or a 3.0 or higher TA GPA for graduate courses
Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) Program
The Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) Program provides Soldiers with funding for credentials on the Army COOL website.
- Up to $4,000 per fiscal year (Soldiers can use both TA and CA but combined usage can't exceed the fiscal
year limit of $4,000)
- Expenses covered for course training, exams, materials, manuals, textbooks, processing fees, test fees, and
other expenses related to the attainment or recertification of credentials
- Can be used for any credential listed in Army COOL
Top 5 Credentials Sought by Soldiers
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- CompTIA Security +
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Certified Personal Trainer
Army Education Center Contact Information
Army Education Counselors are available to assist Soldiers with their educational goals including ArmyIgnitED.
The contact information is: https://home.army.mil/imcom/1817/3253/5935/EdCenterPOCS.pdf
New York Army National Guard Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP)
The Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP) is a New York State program designed to support NY Army
National Guard members in pursuit of their education. This program will pay the cost of tuition up to SUNY
tuition rates per semester.
RIRP eligibility requirements:
- Be in good standing with the State Military Forces (attend or make-up all drills and annual training)
- Be accepted and enrolled in an undergraduate degree-granting program for a minimum of six (6) credit hours
per semester or four (4) credit hours per quarter
- Be a resident of the State of New York for a period of 186 days prior to using the program, excluding
Active-Duty periods
For more information, contact the New York National Guard Education Services Office at 518-786-0460, email or visit the website
College Credit for Military Education and Training
Joint Services Transcript (JST) - The JST is an academically accepted document approved by the
American Council on Education (ACE) to validate a service member's and veteran's military experience and
training. All Active Duty/Guard/Reservists and Veterans from the Army are eligible for a JST and the services
offered.
Joint Services Transcripts can be requested at: https://jst.doded.mil/jst.
To submit an official JST to SUNY:
- register for a JST account https://jst.doded.mil/jst/registration
- click on the Transcripts tab at the top of the page, then click Official Transcript Request tab
- verify delivery method (after you click your academic institution's name you will be taken to the order page
that will show your details and confirm if this is correct
- online delivery is recommended
- acknowledge consent statement - if everything is correct, click the box at the bottom of the screen stating
you have read and agree with the consent statement, then click yes.
Coast Guard
Coast Guard Tuition Assistance Funding
Coast Guard Tuition Assistance (TA) funds both classroom and online courses leading to certificate, associate,
bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. The Education and Training Quota Management
Command (ETQMC) administers the Coast Guard tuition assistance program.
Apply for Coast Guard TA at MyCGEd
Education Training Quota Management (ETQC) Customer Service Contact Phone number: 757-297-3809
Getting Started
- Identify and speak with your unit’s Education Services Officer (ESO). Every unit has its approval
process.
- Establish a plan for completing a certificate or degree program. Work with your Education Services Officer
(ESO) to assist with this plan.
- Mandatory degree plans are required before request TA to fund a second course. Academic certificate
plans are required before enrolling in an attending the first course funded by TA. Upload your degree plan:
https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/forcecom_spo/ETQC/SitePages/
- Select a school to attend that has a signed DoD MOU
- Submit your completed TA application
- Register for course and submit approved TA form with college
Coast Guard Tuition Assistance Guidelines – Coast Guard TA Funds:
- Up to $250 per semester credit (tuition only) toward a maximum of 18 semester credits per fiscal year;
$4,500 maximum per fiscal year
- First or second academic certificate, first or second associate degree, first or second bachelor’s
degree, and a first master’s degree
- Request TA up to 90 days prior and no later than 7 days prior to the course start date. Do not include the
submission date to ETQC or the class state date within the 7-day calculation.
- Maintain a 2.0 or higher TA GPA for undergraduate courses or a 3.0 or higher TA GPA for graduate courses
Coast Guard COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) Program
The Coast Guard COOL Program helps Coast Guard members find information on certifications and licenses related to
their military occupation and civilian careers. Coast Guard COOL website: https://www.cool.osd.mil/uscg/index.html
- Up to $4,500 per fiscal year
- Expenses covered for course training, exams, materials, manuals, textbooks, processing fees, test fees, and
other expenses related to the attainment or recertification of credentials
- Can be used for any credential listed in Coast Guard COOL
College Credit for Military Education and Training
Joint Services Transcript (JST) – The JST is an academically accepted document approved by
the American Council on Education (ACE) to validate a service member’s and veteran’s military
experience and training. All Active Duty, Reservists and Veterans from the Coast Guard are eligible for a
JST and the services offered.
Joint Services Transcripts can be requested at: https://jst.doded.mil/jst
To submit an official JST to SUNY:
- register for a JST account https://jst.doded.mil/jst/registration
- click on the Transcripts tab at the top of the page, then click Official Transcript Request tab
- verify delivery method (after you click your academic institution’s name you will be taken to the
order page that will show your details and confirm if this is correct
- online delivery is recommended
- acknowledge consent statement – if everything is correct, click the box at the bottom of the screen
stating you have read and agree with the consent statement, then click yes.
Marine Corps
Marine Corps Tuition Assistance Funding
Marine Corps Tuition Assistance (TA) funds both classroom and online courses leading to academic certificate,
associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. Note: Marines who previously have
not earned a degree may use TA toward more than one academic certificate
Apply for Marine Corps TA: https://myeducation.netc.navy.mil/webta/home.html#nbb
Getting Started
- Obtain TA command approval from appointed Unit Education Officer/TA Approver to participate in higher
education courses
- Receive TA authorization from the Voluntary Education Officer for TA to cover the tuition cost of the higher
education course approved by the Unit Education officer/TA Approver
- First-time TA users will receive TA funding for only one course. Marines will not actively participate in
more than two TA-funded classes simultaneously
- Upload an approved degree plan to the TA account before completing 6 semester credits of TA-funded credit
hours. Access your TA account: https://myeducation.netc.navy.mil/webta/home.html#nbb Click on Tuition Assistance,
click on Upload File, type information pertaining to the file and click Save, send email to your education
center to inform them the file has been uploaded
- Apply for Tuition Assistance https://myeducation.netc.navy.mil/webta/home.html#nbb Click create new TA
Application, Click Review Application to access your approved TA voucher
- Register for course with college and deliver TA Voucher to college
Marine Corps Tuition Assistance Guidelines - Marine Corps TA Funds:
- Up to $250 per semester credit (tuition only) toward a maximum of 18 semester credits per fiscal year;
$4,500 maximum per fiscal year
- One academic certificate, one associate degree, one bachelor’s degree, and one master’s degree
- Request TA up to 60 days prior to the course start date.
- Maintain a 2.0 or higher TA GPA for undergraduate courses or a 3.0 or higher TA GPA for graduate courses
Marine Corps COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) Program
The Marine Corps COOL Program helps Marine Corps service members find information on certifications and licenses
related to their military occupation and civilian careers. Marine Corps COOL website: https://www.cool.osd.mil/usmc/index.html
- Expenses covered for certification or license exam fees, application fee, or maintenance fee
- Note that Marine Corps COOL does not fund training or courses
- Marine Corps TA can be used for academic certificate programs and college courses leading to a certification
- Can be used for any credential listed in Marine Corps COOL
College Credit for Military Education and Training
Joint Services Transcript (JST) – The JST is an academically accepted document approved by
the American Council on Education (ACE) to validate a service member’s and veteran’s military
experience and training. All Active Duty, Reservists, and Veterans from the Marine Corps are eligible for
a JST and the services offered.
Joint Services Transcripts can be requested at: https://jst.doded.mil/jst
To submit an official JST to SUNY:
- register for a JST account https://jst.doded.mil/jst/registration
- click on the Transcripts tab at the top of the page, then click Official Transcript Request tab
- verify delivery method (after you click your academic institution’s name you will be taken to the
order page that will show your details and confirm if this is correct
- online delivery is recommended
- acknowledge consent statement – if everything is correct, click the box at the bottom of the screen
stating you have read and agree with the consent statement, then click yes.
Navy
Navy Tuition Assistance Funding
Navy Tuition Assistance (TA) funds both classroom and online courses leading to academic certificate, associate,
bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs.
Apply for Navy TA: https://myeducation.netc.navy.mil/webta/home.html
Getting Started
- Inform your chain of command of your interest to start or continue your education.
- Complete required training (once per lifetime/service career) Virtual Learning 101(completed in MyNavy Education)
- For each level of educational or academic pursuit (certificate, associate, bachelor, or master) funded by TA
or NCPACE, receive academic counseling from either a Navy College Virtual Education Center (NCVEC) or
overseas Navy College Office (NCO) counselor and establish an education plan.
- Upload, at a minimum, an "unofficial" education plan to your My Education record. Contact the NCVEC to
review/approve your education plan.
- Submit a TA/NCPACE DL Application within the MyNavy Education well in advance of the term start date
(between 120 and 7 days preceding your AI’s published term start date). Ensure your command approves
the electronic WebTA application no later than 14 days prior to the AI’s published term start date.
- After the Navy College Virtual Education Center (NCVEC) authorizes your TA/NCPACE DL Application, you will
receive an email with a link to MyNavy Education. Select the authorized voucher and print, sign and forward
the voucher to your Academic Institution for payment.
Navy Tuition Assistance Guidelines - Navy TA Funds:
- Up to $250 per semester credit (tuition only) toward a maximum of 18 semester credits per fiscal year;
$4,500 maximum per fiscal year
- One academic certificate, one associate degree, one bachelor’s degree, and one master’s degree
- Request TA up to 60 days prior to the course start date.
- Maintain a 2.0 or higher TA GPA for undergraduate courses or a 3.0 or higher TA GPA for graduate courses
Navy COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) Program
The Navy COOL Program helps Sailors find information on certifications and licenses related to their military
occupation and civilian careers. Navy COOL website: https://www.cool.osd.mil/usn/index.html
Email: navycool@us.navy.mil
- Expenses covered for certification or license exam fees, application fees, annual maintenance fees, and
recertification fees
- Note that Navy COOL does not fund training or courses
- Navy TA can be used for academic certificate programs and college courses leading to a certification
College Credit for Military Education and Training
Joint Services Transcript (JST) – The JST is an academically accepted document approved by
the American Council on Education (ACE) to validate a service member’s and veteran’s military
experience and training. All Active Duty, Reservists, and Veterans from the Navy are eligible for a JST and the
services offered.
Joint Services Transcripts can be requested at: https://jst.doded.mil/jst
To submit an official JST to SUNY:
- register for a JST account https://jst.doded.mil/jst/registration
- click on the Transcripts tab at the top of the page, then click Official Transcript Request tab
- verify delivery method (after you click your academic institution’s name you will be taken to the
order page that will show your details and confirm if this is correct
- online delivery is recommended
- acknowledge consent statement – if everything is correct, click the box at the bottom of the screen
stating you have read and agree with the consent statement, then click yes.
Space Force
Space Force Tuition Assistance Funding
Space Force Tuition Assistance (TA) funds both classroom and online courses leading to certificate, associate,
bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. The Air Force Virtual Education Center is the online
portal where Guardians search educational institutions and create an education goal, apply for TA funding,
manage educational records, and receive support from Air Force Education Counselors.
To access the Air Force Virtual Education
Center, users need to create an account and use their Common Access Card (CAC).
Space Force Tuition Assistance Guidelines – Air Force TA Funds:
- Up to $250 per semester credit (tuition only) toward a maximum of 18 semester credits per fiscal year;
$4,500 maximum per fiscal year
- Up to 124 semester credits of undergraduate credit and up to 42 semester credits of graduate credit
- Request TA in the Air Force Virtual Education Center up to 45 days prior and no later than 7 days prior to
the course start date
- Maintain a 2.0 or higher TA GPA for undergraduate courses or a 3.0 or higher TA GPA for graduate courses
Getting Started
- Log into the Air Force Virtual Education Center
- Select start a Funding Request
- Enter the required information: Base, Educational Goal, School Information, Term Dates, Course Information,
Credit Cost, Supervisor Information, TA Application
- Submit your information: agree to all conditions
- Meet with your Education Services Officer/Counselor
- Submit your TA request
Air Force COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) Program
The Air Force COOL Program provides Guardians with funding for credentials on the Air Force COOL website: https://afvec.us.af.mil/afvec/af-cool/welcome
The AFCOOL Program provides Guardians with the opportunity to obtain and maintain professional certification
(within their career field, leadership, and special interest) to improve force readiness. It provides
members with expanded professional skills and competencies while in the Space Force as well as prepares them for
their post-military civilian careers.
- Up to $4,500 per lifetime toward certifications
- Eligible members may attain only one credential at a time per category
- Expenses covered for exams, books (not to exceed $500), admin/application fees, and recertification fees
necessary for that one credential
College Credit for Military Education and Training
Air University (AU)/Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcript – Air University
transcripts are available for all students who have completed courses/programs with AU or CCAF. AU/CCAF
uses electronic transcript ordering through Parchment
The AU/CCAF Transcript documents military education and training for Air Force service members. AU/CCAF is
regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Students should request an official AU/CCAF Transcript to be sent to the SUNY campus of your choice to determine
how your military education experiences transfers to a degree program.
