Tuition assistance is monies paid by the service component to cover a student's tuition. This money is provided only to Active Duty students and is not the same as assistance provided by MGIB-Chapter 30.

There may be times when the full tuition for students who are on Active Duty is not fully covered by the service component.

TATU allows VA to pay the difference between what the military covers and the actual cost of an Active Duty member's school tuition.

The student works directly with VA to request reimbursement under Top-Up. He or she sends their Tuition Assistance Authorization Form (received from the service component) straight to VA.