GI Bill Top-Up Program
February 02, 2025
Eligible service members of the U.S. military can access up to $4,500 a year in Military Tuition Assistance. This assistance can cover things like tuition as well as course-specific expenses like lab fees.
While some veterans choose to use their G.I. Benefits to help pay off tuition expenses. Others elect to use the GI Bill “Top-Up” program to supplement tuition and fees not covered by tuition assistance. This program ensures that combined benefits do not exceed the total cost of courses.
GI Bill Top-Up Eligibility
| Service | Eligibility |
| Air Force | Active Duty Reserve |
| Army | Active Duty Army National Guard (Active Duty) Army Reserve |
| Navy | Active Duty Navy Reserve (Active Duty) |
| Marine Corps | Active Duty Only |
| Coast Guard | Active Duty Reserve (Active Duty) |
| Space Force | Active Duty |
To be eligible for Top-Up, you must fit in one of the above service categories, as well as:
- Be approved for federal tuition assistance
- Qualify for Montgomery GI Bill or Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
Top-Up Benefits
| Service | Amount Covered |
| Air Force | 100% tuition & fees, not to exceed: – $250 per semester hour – $166 per quarter hour – $4,500 per fiscal year |
| Army | 100% tuition & fees, not to exceed: – $250 per semester hour – $166 per quarter hour – 16 semester hours per year – $4,000 per fiscal year |
| Navy | 100% tuition & fees, not to exceed: – $250 per semester hour – $166 per quarter hour – $4,500 per fiscal year |
| Marine Corps | 100% tuition & fees, not to exceed: – $250 per semester hour – $166 per quarter hour – $4,500 per fiscal year |
| Coast Guard | 100% tuition & fees, not to exceed: – $250 per semester hour – $166 per quarter hour – $4,500 per fiscal year |
| Space Force | 100% tuition & fees, not to exceed: – $250 per semester hour – $166 per quarter hour – $4,500 per fiscal year |
If you receive the Top-Up benefit, your regular GI Bill benefits will be reduced. The amount of entitlement charged for Top-Up payments is as follows:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill: Entitlement is charged based on the training time you’re enrolled in. If you are going to classes at the 1/2 time training level you will be charged 1/2 month of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for each month you are enrolled and receiving benefits (it does not matter how much money you are reimbursed).
- Montgomery GI Bill: Entitlement is charged based on the dollar amount of benefits the VA pays you. You will be charged one month of entitlement for each payment you receive which is equal to the full-time monthly rate for the GI Bill.
If you are struggling to receive VA Disability benefits, contact Legal Help For Veterans, PLLC or call us at (800) 693-4800.