Coast Guard Tuition Assistance

FacebookTwitterPinterestEmailEmailEmailShare
Coast Guard Cutter at sea

Coast Guard Tuition Assistance (TA) pays up to 100% of tuition for taking college courses while on active duty. TA will not pay for many fees, like technology or internet fees, transit fees, etc. that may be added by certain schools. TA will not pay for any classes above a master's degree. 

TA may be also used to take up to two cultural immersion or language classes when assigned OCONUS without restrictions.

Current Payment Rates

You can be reimbursed up to 100% of the cost of the course, Not to exceed:

  • $250 per semester hour
  • $166.67 per quarter hour
  • $16.67 per hour

There is a $4,500 per fiscal year limit.

If you get a grade lower than a C for undergraduate courses or B for graduate courses you will have to pay back any TA money received for those courses.

Application Process

A complete TA application (degree plan uploaded, command approved) must be received by ETQC NO LESS than 14 days prior to the class start date, not including the date of submission to ETQC nor the class start date.  There are no exceptions or waivers to this policy. 

If you begin a class without an approved TA authorization from ETQC, you will have to pay all the course costs yourself.

The Fine Print

You must have a degree plan after the completion of the second course or 6 semester hours using TA. If a degree plan has not been received by ETQC after the second course, no further TA will be authorized until the degree plan has been provided.

Lifetime credit hour limits for TA are as follows: 130 semester hours for undergraduate work, and 40 semester hours for graduate work.

You must be  on active duty or a reservist on long-term orders greater than 180 days to qualify. 

TA is only available for courses leading to the first associate, bachelor, and masters degrees.

You must maintain satisfactory progress toward completion of unit quals, work-station quals, and craft proficiency to be eligible for TA. You must also have satisfactory conduct during the six months prior to beginning TA.

For More Information 

Check out the ETQC website for details. 

Keep Up With Your Education Benefits 

Whether you need a guide on how to use your GI Bill, want to take advantage of tuition assistance and scholarships, or get the lowdown on education benefits available for your family, Military.com can help. Subscribe to Military.com to have education tips and benefits updates delivered directly to your inbox.

Story Continues