A woman in military uniform stands in front of buildings and looks off into the distance.

Navy

Navy Education Program & Tuition Assistance

Are you ready to plot a course to steer your future? At National University, applications are reviewed year-round, so you can begin your Navy education program when it’s convenient for you, whether you enroll online, on base, or on location. Our programs and certifications offer a wide variety of options; whether you are working toward an associate, bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree, we have something for every Sailor.

U.S. Navy College Education

As a Naval-Friendly university, we pride ourselves on providing sailors the opportunity to obtain a degree. Our one-month classes have been designed specifically for military students of all branches so you can attend class without disrupting your duties.

U.S. Navy College Admissions Process & Requirements

At National University, applications are reviewed year-round, so you can begin classes any month of the year online, on the naval base, or in-person at National University’s physical campus location. Please take a few minutes to review the US Navy College admissions and enrollment process before submitting your application. For more information, contact National University Military Admissions at (877) 628-6828.

Step 1: Determine Level of Navy Tuition Assistance (Navy TA)

Contact the Base Education Office on your base to complete a Department of Defense Request for Tuition Assistance. Completing this form will start you on your way to earning a degree.

Step 2: Apply Online to National University

Complete the National University registration form online.

After the Navy TA authorization form is completed and signed, you can fax, email, or hand-carry the TA forms to your advisor. To ensure you are getting the most out of your tuition assistance, review the financial aid page on National University’s website for more information.

Applications are processed within one week, but TA authorization will take longer to process. Verification of your enrollment and a welcome letter will be emailed to you once everything has been processed.

Step 3: Take Placement Tests

If you’re a first-time college student, you must take the ACU Placement test either online or on base within the first 30 days after you enroll.

Step 4: Program of Study

Determine which degree or program you are interested in. See our list of online programs available to take classes anywhere in the world, or check the locations page for on-base or in-person physical location programs.

Step 5: Textbooks and Course Materials

Once you’ve submitted your registration form, received confirmation of registration, and submitted your TA forms and payment, you can order your textbooks, and any other course materials online at the University Bookstore.

Navy Tuition Assistance: How to Apply

Requesting Navy Tuition Assistance follows a set order, and each step has to happen before your term begins. Here’s the path most Sailors follow:

  1. Notify your chain of command that you plan to enroll and use Tuition Assistance (TA).
  2. Complete the required one-time TA training and your mandatory Navy College counseling, which you must finish to secure funding.
  3. Submit your education or degree plan and TA application in MyNavy Education. Aim for up to 120 days before your term starts, and no later than seven days before it begins.
  4. Review and accept the authorization voucher the Navy issues, then give it to your school.

At National University, your Enrollment Advisor and Veterans Affairs student services help coordinate your enrollment and benefit certification alongside the Navy’s process.

Navy Tuition Assistance: How to Apply

Navy tuition assistance will cover your tuition for both your bachelor’s and/or master’s degree but does not pay for any fees, books, materials, or exams. Military Tuition Assistance pays up to 100% of tuition, up to $250 per semester credit hour (about $166 per quarter hour). The Navy also sets annual and lifetime credit-hour limits for the current fiscal year, so confirm your current limits with a Navy College education counselor. If you fail to maintain a determined grade point average (GPA) or obtained an incomplete for a course, you will be required to pay back the assistance you’ve already received.

Both enlisted sailors and officers are eligible to apply for Navy tuition assistance. Unlike enlisted sailors who do not incur any additional obligation, officers must serve at least two years following the completion of a course of study, or repay any tuition assistance used during the two years prior to leaving the United States Navy.

The Department of Defense’s standardized Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of servicemembers’ professional and personal self-development goals. The TA policy for the current fiscal year allows active-duty service members to receive tuition assistance of $4,500 per year.

U.S. Navy Tuition and Fees

As of June 15, 2026, the National University military tuition rates are as follows:

Degree LevelCost Per Semester Hour 
Undergraduate Programs$250 
Graduate Programs$450.45 – $692.30 

In addition to our military tuition discount, you may qualify to apply for Veteran benefits under existing Veteran programs. National University also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Note that some service branches have established specific guidelines or limits for their members that do not mirror the standard policy. Please check with your Education Services Officer to determine the benefits available to you. For more information on Tuition Assistance, visit the DANTES website or contact our Veterans Affairs Office at (858) 541-7970 or [email protected].

US Navy Education Benefits

Just like the Army and the Marine Corps, the United States Navy encourages you to use this benefit at any type of educational institution, including schools that offer online degrees. Again, the only requirement if you choose a virtual learning environment is that the school must be accredited.

U.S. Navy Transfer Information

National University offers transfer-friendly degree programs to help you maximize as many previously earned credits as possible, including college credits from other accredited institutions, professional or technical certifications, and military training and experience. Your Joint Services Transcript (JST) translates your military training and work history into terms our admissions team can evaluate for transfer credit. To learn more about transferring to NU, contact our Veterans Affairs Office at (858) 541-7970 or [email protected].

National University Accreditation

National University has been institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1977. As an institutionally accredited university, NU has met the highest education quality standards. Learn more about our institutional accreditation.

Top Navy Education Programs Selected by Sailors

National University offers a program that fits everyone! As a Navy Friendly university, we have students from across the country. Some of the most popular education programs selected by Sailors are:

Frequently Asked Questions

You must have at least three years of time-in-service before applying, be on active duty for the whole course, and attend an accredited school. Other requirements may need to be met outside of what’s covered here.

If you are a Naval officer, enlisted on active duty, or reservist on continuous active duty, then you may be eligible to receive Navy tuition assistance.

Military Tuition Assistance pays up to 100% of your tuition, up to $250 per semester credit hour, or about $166 per quarter hour. For the Navy, that funding falls within a $4,500 per-fiscal-year cap. Your actual award depends on your credit load and the Navy’s current limits.

Start by notifying your chain of command that you plan to enroll. Complete the required one-time training and mandatory Navy College counseling. Then submit your education plan and TA application in MyNavy Education. Once the Navy approves it, you’ll receive an authorization voucher to give to your school.

The Navy sets both annual and lifetime credit-hour limits, and these can change from one fiscal year to the next. Because the current figures vary, confirm them with a Navy College education counselor before you build your course schedule.