Additional Education Programs from the Army
The Army has special programs in place to help its servicemembers meet educational goals. You may hear these programs referred to as “Voluntary Education” or “Vol Ed.” The following programs are offered through the Army Continuing Education System or ACES:
- GoArmyEd
- Tuition Assistance
- Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOCAD)
- eArmyU
GoArmyEd
GoArmyEd is an online resource that allows active duty soldiers to complete necessary processes online rather than through their Army Education Counselor, which is a big time-saver. Servicemembers can request Tuition Assistance for courses they wish to take online, in a classroom, or through eArmyU. In addition Army Education Counselors can provide guidance through GoArmyEd, and colleges can report soldiers’ progress as well. Explore this great resource to see how it can work for you at GoArmyEd.
Army Tuition Assistance
If you are an Army solder, either in active duty or in the reserve, you may be eligible to have up to 100% of your college tuition costs paid for by the Army. Payments cover up to
- 250 per Semester Credit Hour or $166 pre Quarter Credit Hour
- $4500 per Fiscal Year
Interested parties can apply online and learn more at www.GoArmyEd.com.
Note: Remember that you may be able to use more than one education benefit. Talk to an Education Counselor to plan which benefits should be used at certain times.
SOCAD
SOCAD is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) program for Army members and their adult family members. SOCAD is a network of colleges that agree to accept credits from every other college in the network and that require low or no residency, making programs from these colleges ideal for students who are transferred often. These colleges are accessible to students at Army installations worldwide. To learn more, visit the SOCAD website.
eArmyU
This program is a great option for Army servicemembers who would like to take college or technical/ vocational classes exclusively online. With eArmyU, the Army will cover 100% tuition assistance, books and study materials, fees for courses, and a great technology package after the completion of 12 semester hours (about one full-time semester); the package includes a laptop, printer, email account and internet access. Learn more about applying for eArmyU here.
Other Army Educational Resources
Army College Fund (ACF)
An additional $20,000 in educational benefits may be available to enlisted servicemembers who choose to fill a position or specialty in critical need, have a high school diploma, and score a 50 or better on the ASVAB. To learn more about the Army College Fund, visit their website.
Spouse Education Assistance Program (EAP)
This assistance program is designed for the spouse of a servicemember who is stationed in Europe, Korea, Japan or Okinawa. The grant helps to cover some of the additional costs associated with education in a foreign land; the maximum benefit is $350 per term.
Student Loan Repayment Program (LRP)
If you enlist after you go to college or while you are working toward your degree, and you qualify for LRP, then the Army will pay off your student loans up to $65,000. Learn more at the Army Loan Repayment Program webpage.
