Funding Your Education
We'll Help You Find a Way to Fund It
The cost of education shouldn’t stop you from building the career you want. AiSA is approved for multiple military and civilian funding sources — and our team will help you navigate every step.
Your Options at a Glance
Most of our students pay little to nothing out of pocket. Here are the funding pathways available to AiSA students:
Montgomery & Post-9/11 GI Bill
Chapter 33
Covers tuition + housing allowance
✅ DoD SkillBridge
Last 180 Days
Train during your last 180 days of service
✅ Military Tuition Assistance
Active Duty
Up to $250/credit hour while serving
✅ Vocational Rehab
Chapter 31
For veterans with service-connected disabilities
✅ SFTT & FVC Grants
State & Nonprofit
Grants for agriculture training
Apply for a Grant: Submit a scholarship application to be considered for SFTT & FVC grant funding.
✅ Self-Pay & Payment Plans
Flexible
Flexible options for those without military benefits. Total program cost: $6,458.00. Contact our enrollment team to discuss self-pay or payment plan arrangements.
Montgomery & Post-9/11 GI Bill
Tuition & Fees
Program tuition: $6,458.00 — equivalent to approximately 2 months of VA education benefits. Paid directly to the school; covers the full cost of the program.
Monthly Housing Allowance
AiSA is treated as an online program, so your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is based on the national online rate. Rates adjust annually and are subject to change. For the most current information, visit the UMN Crookston military liaison page or VA.gov.
Books & Supplies Stipend
Annual stipend to cover course materials.
Eligibility: Veterans with at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001.
How to use it at AiSA: Apply for VA education benefits at va.gov/education. Select AiSA as your school. Our enrollment coordinator will handle the rest — including the VA certification paperwork.
DoD SkillBridge
SkillBridge lets active duty service members participate in civilian workforce training during their last 180 days of service.
How it works: You stay on active duty pay and benefits while attending AiSA full-time. Your unit commander must approve the program, and AiSA is a SkillBridge-approved training provider.
Best for: Active duty members within 6 months of their separation date who want to transition directly into an agriculture career.
To get started: Talk to your Education Services Officer (ESO) or Transition Assistance Program (TAP) office. We can provide the documentation your command needs to approve your participation.
⚠ Important: SkillBridge is a participation pathway — not a tuition funding source. SkillBridge participants are still responsible for tuition and must pay through GI Bill, Military Tuition Assistance, an SFTT or FVC grant, or self-pay.
Funding FAQ
Yes. Both the on-farm and online formats are approved for GI Bill benefits.
Yes. Full-time students using the Post-9\/11 GI Bill receive a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA). Since AiSA is treated as an online program, your MHA is based on the national online rate, which adjusts each August. For the most current figures, visit the UMN Crookston military liaison page or VA.gov.
Absolutely. Our enrollment coordinator will review your eligibility and help you identify the best funding option during the application process.
In some cases, yes. For example, TA can supplement GI Bill benefits. We’ll help you maximize your available funding.
You’re still welcome to apply. Explore SFTT grants, FVC fellowships, or our self-pay/payment plan options.
Don't Let Funding Be the Barrier
Over 80% of our students use some form of military education benefits. Our enrollment team will help you identify the best funding path for your situation.
We also offer scholarships and grants for qualified applicants, made possible by Stand For The Troops, the Farmer Veterans Coalition, and Mandrake.