Department website: https://www.atu.edu/veterans

Arkansas Tech University is approved by the State Approving Agency (SAA) as a school whereby eligible veterans and veterans’ beneficiaries may use educational benefits while working toward a degree. Eligible students should contact the Office of Veteran Services to obtain information regarding school attendance under the following programs: Title 38, Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill®(GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill); Title 38, Chapter 30, Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty; Title 38, Chapter 32, Veterans Educational Assistance Program; Title 38, Chapter 35, Survivors and Dependents Education; and Title 10, Chapter 1606, Montgomery GI Bill® for Selective Reserves.

All students must be working toward a degree and should follow the curriculum outline for their objectives, since only specific courses may be applied toward VA certification and graduation. Enrollment certification will not be sent to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs until the person applying for veteran’s benefits has been admitted to the University and prior credit evaluated. Students must request certification for each term to be certified and are responsible for notifying the certifying official of any changes in enrollment status or eligibility. Veterans may be given placement credit for prior military training by providing an official military transcript or DD-214.

All active duty military service persons and veterans eligible under the GI Bill® as determined by the VA who are classified as "out-of-state" for tuition purposes shall receive a waiver of out-of-state tuition charges. Arkansas Tech University complies with Section 702 of the Veterans Choice Act. For additional information, please contact the Office of Veteran Services. See also "In-State Tuition for Military Personnel, Veterans and Dependents" in the Fees and Expenses section of this catalog.

Click here to view the complete Military Service Obligations Policy approved by the Board of Trustees on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

ATU Recognizes that students serving in the military often have unique challenges with unexpected orders to active duty or training that may conflict with classes. Often these conflicts are resolved through proper coordination with Professors. In some instances, this cannot be achieved and the student is not able to meet course standards.

If the circumstances require a student to stop attending classes during the semester due to military service, the student must present a copy of their orders to active duty causing the absence to the Coordinator of Veteran Services.  Once the student provides notice of the military obligation and orders that prevent attendance, the student will be allowed one of the following options, as per Arkansas Code Ann. § 6-61-112:

• Receive a full refund of tuition and fees for the interrupted semester,
• Receive at least a one-year extension after deactivation to complete the required coursework, or
• Free tuition for one semester upon return if they have not already received a refund, unless federal aid is made available to compensate the student for the resulting monetary loss related to the student’s activation or deployment.

Arkansas National Guard

Act 82 of 2005 provides a tuition and waiver assistance program for soldiers and airmen of the Arkansas National Guard. Members of the Arkansas National Guard should contact the Student Accounts Office for information.

Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver Program (formerly G-TIP)

The Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver program provides a tuition and fees-only waiver to Arkansas residents who are active members of the Arkansas Army/Air National Guard that have not already obtained a Bachelor's degree. Applications and additional information may be obtained from the unit commander or online at https://arkansas.nationalguard.mil.

Folds of honor scholarship

Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of America’s service members and first responders by investing in education. The Higher Education Scholarship provides financial assistance to the spouses and children of U.S. military members (and, in recent mission expansion, first responders) who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. Scholarships help cover the cost of post-secondary education — including certificates, associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees — at accredited colleges, universities, and vocational programs. Awards are typically up to $5,000 and are applied toward unmet educational expenses such as tuition, fees, housing, and textbooks, helping recipients pursue their academic and career goals. For more information visit: https://foldsofhonor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Military-Higher-Ed-2025.pdf. Annual Application Window: February 1 - March 31.

Heroes Scholarship

Arkansas Heroes Scholarship provides assistance for in-state tuition, housing, and mandatory fees at eligible Arkansas institutions for dependents and spouses of Arkansans who were killed or missing in action, were prisoners of war, recipients of a Medal of Honor or Purple Heart, or permanently and totally disabled through military service OR dependent children or spouses of persons killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, forester, correctional officer, Community Punishment Department or Transportation Department employee, or teacher. Application deadline is July 1.

The benefit authorized in Arkansas Code Ann. § 6-61-112 above also applies to The student spouse of service members that are not students but are deployed or activated if the military member or student spouse has dependent children residing in the household (as reflected in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.