Alternate Tuition Rate for Active Duty

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Last Updated: Oct 22, 2026, 03:55 PM

Southern Illinois University Carbondale seeks to honor active duty military service members, in all branches, and including Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) and Guard and Reserve members called to Active Duty by extending to them an alternate tuition rate equal to the maximum benefit provided to them under the Department of Defense's Military Tuition Assistance Program (TA).

Information from this application is needed for tuition assessment purposes. Active Duty servicemembers must complete the application before the start of their first semester, and submit a photocopy of the front of their Active Duty Military ID or their Statement of Service to be properly assessed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What SIU Programs does the Alternate Rate for Active Duty cover?

Active Duty Military Alternate Tuition Rate1 – Effective Fall 2016 for incoming students

Starting with the Fall 2016 semester, undergraduate and most graduate students who are active duty military members – in all branches and including Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) and Guard and Reserve members called to Active Duty – will, regardless of residency status, pay an alternate tuition rate equal to the maximum allowable benefit per credit hour provided to such students by the Department of Defense's Military Tuition Assistance Program.2,3

This alternate tuition rate will not apply to certain Business graduate students if those graduate students are charged a unique tuition structure.4 This alternate tuition rate will also not apply to students whose academic program is in the Simmons Law School or the School of Medicine.5

Other College of Business and Analytics (CoBA) students not noted in the preceding paragraph who would normally be required to pay the CoBA differential tuition surcharge, if they qualify for this alternate tuition rate, will not be required to pay that CoBA differential tuition surcharge.

If you have any questions, please call 618-453-2993 during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 4:30 Central time).6

1 This ATR is not the same as the Veterans/Military ATR.

2 Starting Fall 2016, all classes that a qualifying student may take – whether on-campus, off-campus, or online – will have the alternate tuition rate noted here applied to them (unless prohibited above), and the student will also pay the mandatory student fees that are appropriate to their on-campus, off-campus, and/or online class sections.

3 The maximum allowable benefit per credit hour provided by the Department of Defense's Military Tuition Assistance Program is currently $250.00. Therefore, this alternate tuition rate starting Fall 2016 will be $250.00 per credit hour.

4 These particular students are enrolled in courses whose sections are numbered 840 through 849.

5 This includes students in the School of Medicine pursuing the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and the Doctor of Medical Science.

6 The above discussion has dealt with the student's tuition. From the start of this ATR, students have also been paying the mandatory student fees that were appropriate to their on-campus, off-campus, and/or online class sections. However, starting Fall 2019, those mandatory student fees (as noted here and here) have been eliminated for students under this ATR.

How will I get the alternate rate?

The student must complete the Admissions application and submit a copy of their Active Duty Military ID. Once received and processed, the students will be assessed at the lower rate.

Where should I send the copy of my Military ID or Statement of Service?

The most secure method is via scan to admissions@siu.edu; you'll be asked to do this during the admissions application process. If you are at one of our off-campus or military locations, your Program Advisor will be happy to assist with submitting either document.

Isn’t sending a copy of my Military ID or Statement of Service a violation of OPSEC?

Copying your ID is generally prohibited by Title 18, U.S. Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701.

There is an exception however for Government Agencies. The university falls under "administering other military-related benefits to eligible beneficiaries." You are a potential beneficiary of several military-related benefits, including modified admission criteria, alternate tuition rate, Tuition Assistance, GI Bill®, Illinois Veterans Grant, etc.

Learn More About Managing Your Common Access Card (CAC)

"Examples of authorized photocopying include photocopying of DoD ID cards to facilitate medical care processing, check cashing, voting, tax matters, compliance with appendix 501 of title 50, U.S.C. (also known as "The Servicemember's Civil Relief Act"), or administering other military-related benefits to eligible beneficiaries."

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 Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.