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MILITARY BENEFITS

Tuition assistance for Service members and their spouses

Capella is a military-friendly university. In support of our military, we offer many benefits and assistance to active-duty service members, veterans, spouses, and dependents.

Accredited & recognized

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Accreditation and recognitions provide the assurance we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all of our accreditations and recognitions

Learn with a NSA/DHS Designation program
Capella University has been designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense (CAE IA/CD).

Capella University is a participating institution in the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding (DODI 1322.25) and adheres to and respects the criteria outlined in Executive Order 13607, Establishing Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Other Family Members (2012).

Expert Military Support Team

Creating your education funding plan can be daunting. Our dedicated military support team can help you find and apply benefits you’ve earned through your service to your education. Eligible Service members must receive approval from an Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within the applicable Military Service prior to enrolling.

Enrollment Counselors

Experts knowledgeable about military benefits are available to assist you through admissions.

Financial Aid Advisors

Experienced financial assistance—experts who know military benefits and how to apply for them.

Military Partners

Military affiliations and partnerships: ArmyIgnitED, DANTES, and Defense Acquisition University.

Military tuition discounts

Capella offers a 10% discount on eligible certificates, master’s and doctoral programs and a 15% discount on eligible bachelor’s programs for students with a military affiliation, including those who:

  • Are currently serving in the U.S. military in an active duty, guard or reserve capacity
  • Are the spouse of a U.S. service member currently serving on active duty
  • Have previously served in the U.S. military
  • Are the spouse of a veteran (effective July 2024)
  • Are a member of the United States Public Health Survey Commissioned Corps
  • Are a member of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps
  • Are a civilian employee of the Department of Defense (note: only direct employees of the DoD are eligible; contractors are not)
  • Are a dependent receiving Dependents Education Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35) benefits from the VA


Military discounts cannot be combined with employer/association discounts provided by Capella. You’ll receive the highest possible discount of the two options. Starting in July, spouses of veterans can now benefit from a 10% discount on eligible certificates, master’s and doctoral programs and a 15% discount on eligible bachelor’s programs.

Ways to Reduce Tuition

Leverage Your Military Experience

Whether you are a service member or a veteran, you likely have training that may transfer into your Capella degree as course credits.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Offered to all service members active on or after Sept. 11, 2001, who qualify and reach a financial cap.

View the program »

VA Education Benefits

Veterans’ funding including the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, provided through the VA.

Find benefits »

Military Tuition Assistance

Available to active-duty service members, reserve-duty service members, and the national guard through their respective service branches. 

Find tuition help »

Tuition assistance for service members and their families

Tuition assistance for service members and their families

Tuition assistance and other benefits are also available to military spouses. Here are some resources for more information.

Transfer of education benefits program >>

This program allows qualified service members to transfer their Post 9/11 GI Bill® education benefits to a spouse and/or dependent(s).

Survivors and dependents assistance program >>

Also called Chapter 35, supports the spouse or children of service members who have been killed in action or are 100% disabled due to a service-related injury. Length of entitlement varies based on several factors.

Military Tuition Assistance is not available for FlexPath.

Leave of Absence Policy for Service Members and Spouses

Leave of Absence Policy for Service Members and Spouses

There may be times when your mission takes priority over your education. In that case, you can request a military leave.

Capella's military leave policy is informed by the HEROES Act, which addresses active-duty students who deploy in support of a war, national emergency, or natural disaster. We also consider students who are sent to sequestered training environments or participate in field training and won’t have Internet access.

Capella also offers a military leave to spouses of U.S. active-duty service members. 

Scholarship options

Numerous scholarships are offered to eligible current service members, veterans, spouses and their dependents in all branches of the military. Contact us to learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

*Active Duty  †Veterans  ≈Spouses and Children

GI Bill ® is a registered trademark of the US 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.

Find funding options

We’re here to help you find ways to pay for college. Capella financial aid advisors are available to guide you, or you can download our step-by-step Finance Guide.