How do you go about using the GI Bill or Tuition Assistance while active duty in the army?

Ashley Nicole — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 23:31:24 -0500

I needed some clarification on how to utilize TA while active duty? Can I apply to any college? Will my current college credits transfer over?

And also, if I decide to go back to college after my time in the army, what does the GI Bill cover?

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 11 at 2020 11:37 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 23:37:40 -0500

Stay away from using your GI Bill!!!!!!!!!!

Use only Tuition Assistance.

While on active duty, you’ll be able to tackle a few classes here and there and yes, you current credits transfers; of from an accredited school. Here is the thing, TA is used while in service. This allows you to protect (save) your GI Bill for when you are done with active duty and then go full time student. That’s the way of it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2020 12:20 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 00:20:15 -0500

For using TA you will go onto GoArmyEd.com and that's the portal where you will be able to enroll in classes and request TA. Don't worry about that now because once you get to your first duty station, part of inprocessing is setting up an appointment with the education center counselors who will explain all of that. You can use TA for one degree at each level up to masters. There's a per credit cap and if your TA doesn't cover the total cost in your masters program you can tap into your GI Bill to cover the rest.

For your GI Bill, there's just too much to explain. It's best to head over to VA.gov and look at what they offer. If you stay in long enough you'll have the opportunity to transfer your GI Bill to your dependents and you can use TA for your own education.

Response by SPC Kenneth Koerperich made Jan 12 at 2020 9:52 PM

SPC Kenneth Koerperich — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 21:52:43 -0500

Umm, must be a lazy Army now! How do you plan on studying around training??

We NEVER had time to take courses, EVER! If we weren't in the field, or deployed on a mission, we were doing GI Inspections, Field Inspections, EIB Training, or Post Support until the late hours. 0430 to 1630 minimum hours worked, mostly until 2000 hrs. Then prep for the next days bullshit!

Rarely, were we EVER in the barracks more than 2 weeks at a time, and that/there is no way to get a course in, or even completed. We also didn't have computers...

Hell, we barely got TV channels, and phone time was first come first server vs an old AT&T Rotary. One at each end of the barracks.

We weren't coddled, or allowed to be pussies. We were training constantly, and if you stepped out of line, out to the WOOD LINE you went for a tune up!

Must be nice to be in the EASY PEASY Army now....