Federal Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance for Active Military Students

You may qualify for Department of Defense (DOD) Tuition Assistance (TA) for all our degree programs if you are actively serving in the Armed Forces.

Riverland is approved to process TA according to the DOD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

TA policies and annual funding limits are specific to your service branch. Please contact your unit or education service officer (ESO) for questions about your TA eligibility and funding amounts.

The Regional Veterans Coordinator, Mark Larsen is available to assist you by email (mark.larsen@state.mn.us) or phone 507-779-9375.

Local Army Reserve and Army National Guard Contacts

Army Reserve Education Center 612-713-8881
Army National Guard Education Center 651-282-4589

Apply for Federal Tuition Assistance

Resources and Links

Army Reserve Education Center
612-713-8881

Army National Guard Education Center
651-282-4589

Minnesota National Guard Education Website

What Happens to My Tuition Assistance if I Withdraw or Stop Attending?

You are no longer eligible for the full amount of the benefit that was originally authorized if you are using TA and withdraw or stop attending.

We will return any unearned TA funds through completion of at least 60% of the course on a prorated basis in compliance with the Department of Defense’s policy. The amount of unearned TA that is returned is based on the student-initiated date of withdrawal or the last date of attendance noted by the instructor.

The full amount of TA is considered "earned" and no refund is necessary if you complete more than 60% of the course. As an institution, we will bill the DOD after 60% of the course has passed to reduce the amount of incorrect TA funds being disbursed by the DOD to Riverland Community College. We will only bill for the amount the student earned given their enrollment.

Is Unearned Tuition Assistance Returned?

Unearned TA funds will be returned on a prorated basis, depending on the length of the course and the amount of the course that you completed. This return schedule applies to any course regardless of its duration.

We divide the number of days you completed (based on your withdrawal date or the date of your last attendance) by the total number of days in the course to find the percentage of TA that is returned.

EXAMPLE 1

You enrolled in a course with a scheduled duration of 30 days and submitted a withdrawal on the 14th day. We calculate the amount of TA you earned by your attendance:

14 divided by 30 equals 46.6%
Therefore, you earned 47% (rounded up) and the remaining 53% will be returned to the DOD.

EXAMPLE 2

The student enrolled in a course with a scheduled duration of 120 days and withdrew on the 34th day. We calculate how the amount of TA you earned from 34 days of attendance:

34 divided by 120 equals 28.3%
Therefore, you earned 28% (rounded down) and the remaining 72% will be returned to the DOD.

If the student completed more than 60% of the course, the full amount of TA authorized is considered “earned” and no refund is needed.