The Army announced last week that Soldiers will have access to tuition assistance a year earlier than they have to this point.

According to an official Army press release, “Soldiers will no longer have to wait one year after completing their Advanced Individual Training to receive tuition assistance. Soon, tuition assistance will be available immediately for Soldiers of all components after AIT.”

Additionally, according to Pam Raymer, Chief, Army Continuing Education System, “Soldiers who wish to pursue a master’s degree will no longer have to wait 10 years in order to apply for tuition assistance funding.”

Soldiers who have successfully completed the Advanced Leader Course, warrant officers who have graduated from the Warrant Officer Advanced Course and officers who have graduated from the Captains Career Course or equivalent will be immediately eligible to begin a graduate degree.

“As one of the important benefits of serving in the Army is access to higher education, we welcome these changes to the Army’s TA policy,” said Joseph Houghton, Troy University’s Director of Military Programs. “They encourage our Soldiers to take advantage of their benefits early in their Army career, and by broadening access to degree-level education, these changes will create positive results both for the Army and for our Soldiers.”

Houghton said the University is prepared for a growing number of military students.

“From an institutional perspective, TROY stands ready to serve increasing numbers of our nation’s military members and to create new opportunities for our Soldiers to benefit from the Troy Military and Family Scholarship, which caps the cost of tuition at $250 per semester hour,” Houghton said. “From an institutional perspective, TROY stands ready to serve increasing numbers of our nation’s military members and to create new opportunities for our Soldiers to benefit from the Troy Military and Family Scholarship, which caps the cost of tuition at $250 per semester hour.”