Top-Up Information

In addition to Tuition Assistance, the legislation revised Chapter 30 to permit VA to issue payment to an individual for any portion of the difference between the Tuition Assistance amount paid by the military component and the total cost of tuition. Top up covers the remaining percentage of costs approved for TA that TA alone does not cover. This provision is Tuition Assistance Top-up (TAT).

• TAT is available only to persons eligible for Chapter 30.
• Although Reserve and National Guard components also offer Tuition Assistance, there is no Top-up provision for Chapter 1606 recipients.
• A person who is eligible to receive Chapter 30 who is receiving Tuition Assistance from a Reserve or National Guard component, is eligible for TAT.
• Only Federal Tuition Assistance paid by National Guard components qualifies for TAT. Tuition Assistance Top-up is not additional Tuition Assistance. It is a Chapter 30 benefit. The Top-up payment is made to the individual claimant, not to the training facility. It is made in one lump-sum payment.

Applying for the Top-Up program:

To apply you will need to submit a VA form 22-1990 with a base education officer signature along with copies of your tuition assistance contracts to:

VA Regional Office
P.O. Box 8888
Muskogee, Oklahoma 74402

• You need to submit copies of your authorization for future classes each month to the VA along with a cover letter stating you are using the top-up program and would like to be reimbursed.
• You can obtain this form at www.gibill.va.gov at the education form link or the VA Office at National University.

The address to mail your tuition assistance contracts:

VA Regional Office,
P.O. Box 8888,
Muskogee, Oklahoma 74402