Army Online College & Tuition Assistance

The pathway to your future starts here. At National University, applications are reviewed year-round, so you can begin your Army online college classes when it’s convenient for you, whether you enroll online, on base, or on location. Our 150+ Academic programs and certifications offer a wide variety of options; whether you are working towards an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, we have something for every soldier.

U.S. Army Admissions Process

Please take a few minutes to review our three-step admissions and enrollment process before submitting your application. For more information, contact Military Online at (877) 628-6828.

Step 1: Determine The Level of Army Tuition Assistance

Request your Tuition Assistance (TA) online through ArmyIgnitED, the Army’s online education portal. If you’re a first-time TA user, you’ll need to complete the required ArmyIgnitED training before you can request TA. Your base Education Services Officer can help you get started, and you can review the current process on the official Army Tuition Assistance page. Completing this step starts you on your way to earning a degree.

Step 2: Apply to National University

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 on-location programs.

Next, complete the National University registration form online.

Submit your TA request. Once your program is chosen, request TA in ArmyIgnitED and coordinate with your National University military advisor, who can help you line up your TA authorization with your enrollment. Our Veterans Affairs team supports your enrollment and certification every step of the way, reach them at (858) 541-7970 or [email protected]. To ensure you are getting the most out of your tuition assistance, review the financial aid section.

Receive Verification of Enrollment and Welcome Letter. 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.

Take the ACU Placement Test (First-Time College Student Only). Please note: 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 3: Get 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, CD, and any other course materials online at the National University Bookstore.

Army Tuition Assistance (Army TA)

Through the Department of Defense (DoD), the Army funds up to 100% of your tuition for credit hours costing $250 or less per semester hour ($166 or less per quarter hour). TA is capped at $4,500 per fiscal year and up to 18 semester hours per fiscal year. Over your career, TA covers a lifetime maximum of 130 undergraduate semester hours and 39 graduate semester hours. Keep in mind that TA doesn’t cover institutional fees or additional costs like books.

Here’s what that means at National University. Our military undergraduate rate is $250 per semester hour, exactly at the TA per-credit-hour ceiling. So Army TA can cover 100% of your National University undergraduate tuition.

Army TA is approved according to the type of courses you take, and the courses you select must be part of an approved degree program. TA funds one credential at each level, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s. That means TA used toward a degree at one level can’t be reused for another degree at that same level.

While you are on active duty, you may be eligible to apply for Army tuition assistance. Whether you are an enlisted soldier, warrant officer, or a Troop Program Unit (TPU) warrant officer (without a commission), the only requirement is to have a certain amount of active-duty time to complete your school courses.

If you are an officer or a commissioned warrant officer, you’ll need to incur a two-year active-duty service commitment in exchange for tuition assistance. Selected reserve officers and commissioned warrant officers must commit to four years in the Army Reserve.

These service obligations start the day of the last class paid by Army tuition assistance. Keep in mind that if you’re an officer who voluntarily leaves or is discharged due to conduct, you’ll be required to reimburse the Army for tuition assistance received for the service time you were unable to complete.

The Army encourages you to use these benefits at any type of educational institution, including schools that offer online degrees. The only requirement is that the school’s online program must be accredited.

U.S. Army Tuition and Fees

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

Degree Level	Cost 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 official Army Tuition Assistance page.

For more information, contact our Veterans Affairs Office at (858) 541-7970 or [email protected].

U.S. Army 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 universities, professional or technical certifications, and military training and experience.

To learn more about transferring to NU, contact our Veteran’s 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.

Army Scholarships for College

Please visit our complete scholarship offerings for information on National University’s military scholarships, application instructions, and deadlines.

Top Army Education Programs Selected by Soldiers

National University offers a program that fits everyone! As a Military Friendly university, we have military students from across the country. Every one of these degrees is a WSCUC-accredited, TA-eligible online program, and with more than 150 online programs and monthly start dates, you can find one that fits your schedule. Some of the most popular education programs selected by soldiers are:

• Associate of Arts in General Education
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
• Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (BSIS)