Federal & State Tuition Assistance

Federal and State Tuition Assistance

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) helps Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Service members pay tuition at Ozarks Tech. Each branch sets its own rules and caps. Use FTA for approved courses that fit your degree plan.

What you get:

• FTA amounts and annual caps are set by your Service. Check your branch portal for current per credit and yearly limits.
• With the Active Military Rate, general fees are waived. Program specific fees still apply.

You qualify if:

• You are Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve and you have registered to utilize your branch’s FTA program.
• You remain in active military status for the funded term.
• You follow your branch’s rules (for example, Army must apply for and use Federal TA before State TA).

How you apply:

1. Talk with your Education Services Office (ESO) or Education Counselor before the semester starts.
2. Create or update your branch portal account and submit TA requests up to (60) days prior but must be submitted at least (7) days prior to the course start date to ensure processing and approval.
3. Send your FTA authorization to Ozarks Tech so anticipated aid can be added to your account.
4. Contact the Veteran and Military Services office if you need help with Rate Tiers or Term Dates.

Branch Portals

• Army: https://armyignited.cce.af.mil/student/account/login
• Air Force: https://afvec.us.af.mil/afvec/account/login
• Navy: https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/
• Marines: https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/Enlisted-Assignments/Stay-Marine/Marine-Education/
• Coast Guard: https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM-UNITS/ETQC/Voluntary-Education/Tuition-Assistance/
• Space Force: https://www.spaceforce.com/education/enlisted#contentBlock1_1

Keep your benefit:

• Stay in active status for the funded term and report drops or withdrawals in your portal.
• You may need to repay unearned funds if you do not successfully complete a class (unless a documented military withdrawal applies).
• Ozarks Tech’s TA return policy is as follows:
  • Return of Tuition Assistance: 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 the new Department of Defense policy, Ozarks Tech will return any unearned TA funds on a pro rata 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 based upon when a student stops attending.  These funds are returned following the AI Portal Refund Process.
  • Ozarks Tech will assign a grade of ‘W’ if a student withdraws from a class or is administratively withdrawn, prior to the term’s deadline to withdraw. After the deadline, a student is not permitted to drop.
  • Ozarks Tech will invoice the DoD at least (1) day after the 60% census date for each term as described below (previously billed at 19% census). If, at the conclusion of the term, a ‘W’ grade is assigned, the below charts illustrate how the institution calculates the unearned TA amount, then proceeds with a refund (if applicable).

* Bold type identifies the 60% completion point.

**Note: The length of term is the number of days in that period, including the start and end date but excluding weekends and holidays when classes are not in session: View the Academic Calendar

State Tuition Assistance Information

The Missouri Educational Assistance Grant, Section 173.239 RSMo, provides tuition assistance for Service Members of the MONG meeting the eligibility requirements outlined in 11 CSR 10-3.015.

• Pays 50—100% of the amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident at the University of Missouri for attendance.
• Pays up to 15 semester hours for Fall and Spring, and up to 9 semester hours for Summer. Lifetime of 150 semester hours. Must use FTA before STA will be applied.
• May only be utilized for first undergraduate degree (up to a Bachelor’s).
• All Service Members must apply for FAFSA prior to receiving STA.
• Submit applications to your unit NLT 8 days prior to the start date of the classes. Best if submitted NLT 15 days prior to allow ample time to resolve any issues. Applications can be submitted up to 60 days prior. Subject to appropriations made available by the State for the State Fiscal Year (restarts 1 July each year).
• State Tuition Assistance Application