Active Military Tuition Assistance

Active-Duty Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a distinct source of financial aid offered by the federal government that may be available to eligible service members. Each service branch administrates award amounts, eligibility, restrictions, and application process.

Applying for Tuition Assistance

The general process for requesting Tuition Assistance is the same for all branches of the military, however, each military branch uses a different educational portal, which you can find additional information on TA. It’s also important to check with your military branch to understand the time frame in which you can request your TA.

To apply:

  1. Speak with your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within your military branch to ensure your TA eligibility prior to enrolling in courses.
  2. Follow your ESO or counselor’s instructions for how to request TA for your course(s). Complete your TA request online through your military branch’s educational portal.
    1. You may be required to submit an educational degree plan, which you can get from your school’s Registrar’s Office.
    2. If you are required to provide a cost verification as part of your application, you can print your charges from your student account on my.harvard.
    3. Select Harvard University as your academic institution. Note, each Harvard School has a different OPE-ID, so make sure you select the correct Harvard school.
  3. After your TA funding is approved by your military branch, send your tuition assistance approval to your financial aid office and they will add anticipated aid to your student account as a placeholder until your benefit payment is received.

The Tuition Assistance funding will be applied to your balance due for the term as the first source of payment.

For questions regarding TA eligibility or the process for applying for TA, speak with your Educational Services Office or counselor within your specific military branch.

Additional information on utilizing Military Tuition Assistance can also be found online at Military Tuition Assistance | Military.com

Dropping Courses or Withdrawing

If a student drops a course(s) covered by TA funds during the drop-for-full tuition refund period, all TA funds will be returned to the appropriate military service branch. After the full refund period, if a student with TA funding withdraws from a course(s) within a term, Harvard will be required to return a portion of the TA funds to the appropriate military service branch based on when the student ceases attendance. Per Department of Defense policy, when a student ceases attendance in a term, TA funds must be retuned on a proportional basis up to the 60 percent point in the term.

Please visit Military.com for details and to start the application process.