To show our deepest respect and gratitude to U.S. military members who bravely serve our country, we offer special grants and financial assistance to help them pursue their dreams.
Escoffier’s Boulder campus, including our online programs, is honored to be recognized as a 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School. Military Friendly® is the standard that measures commitment to creating benefits for the military community.
1,328
GI Bill® students attended Escoffier in the last calendar year.*
Through Veteran Administration (VA) benefits, the GI Bill® can help eligible active duty and select reserve members, veterans, and their spouses and dependents pay for education.* Qualifying students could receive up to these amounts:
*Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is approved by the Colorado Office of Veterans Education and Training, and Texas State Approving Agency for the administration of VA Education benefits to those eligible. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in compliance with VA Regulation 38.EFR 21.4252 does not engage in erroneous, deceptive/misleading practices or advertising.
There are a number of GI Bill® benefits available for eligible active duty and select reserve members, veterans, and their spouses and dependents.* Discover your options below.
Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) – Chapter 1606
This program is specifically for members of the Select Reserve: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Reserve, and Army or Air National Guard.
Escoffier proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Active duty members, veterans, or spouses & dependents under Transfer of Entitlement can receive this benefit if they qualify for the Post-9/11 Bill® at the 100% benefit level.
If you’re the child or spouse of a veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, you may be eligible for this program.
Escoffier participates in the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership to offer Tuition Assistance to qualifying military personnel.
*Not to exceed the amount per Military Fiscal Year based on branch of service.
Military Tuition Assistance may be available to qualifying students enrolled in approved programs offered through our Boulder campus (including the online diploma and degree programs). Service members in the Army, including the National Guard and Selected Reserves, Navy, including the Selected Reserves, Air Force, including the National Guard and the Selected Reserves, and the Marine Corps, including the Selected Reserves may qualify to receive Tuition Assistance.
Please contact the education office on your base to start the approval process. You’ll need to complete the enrollment form associated with your branch of the U.S. Military for approval by your Military Education Officer. Note: You will submit the approved TA form to Escoffier’s Financial Aid Office.
Escoffier Grants
Estimated Savings
Escoffier offers grants to qualifying military personnel to help assist with the cost of attending school.*
*The Military Grant can’t be used in conjunction with any other institutional grant and/or scholarship.
Qualifying military personnel, as well as the Drilling National Guard, Drilling Reservist Service Members, and spouses and dependents of honorably discharged veterans may qualify to receive Escoffier grants. Students that have completed the admissions application process, validated their military status, and have a remaining financial need may be considered for the Escoffier grants.
Escoffier participates in the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program, an employee assistance program available to qualifying military spouses.
MyCAA benefits are only available to qualifying active duty spouses enrolled in our associate degree programs available online or on our campus in Boulder, Colorado. See all eligibility requirements.
Please contact the education office on your base to start the approval process.
State Employment Certification/Licensure Disclosure
The programs offered by Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts (AESCA) do not require a certification or state board licensure to be employed. AESCA will monitor state requirements and update this section if certification or licensure becomes a requirement for employment.
As an active-duty soldier, online school is a great way to stay consistent with education. There is a big need for culinary arts training in my career, but there is not a lot of time to accomplish this.”*
Michael allenOnline Culinary Arts Graduate, Director of food and beverage, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Ghost,” 7th Infantry Division
*This information may not reflect every student’s experience. Results and outcomes may be based on several factors such as geographical region or previous experience.
Questions? Our Financial Aid staff is trained to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Military Members & Veterans
Can I use Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) with my GI Bill®?
Yes, you may use Federal Student Aid in addition to your GI Bill® benefits! Completing the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) may qualify you for additional funding sources like Federal Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants—all of which can potentially supplement your VA education benefits.
For some veterans and service members, combining these funding sources may help cover the full cost of their education. Your GI Bill® benefits will be applied to your tuition and fees first, and then any Federal Student Aid you qualify for can help with remaining educational expenses.
Escoffier’s Financial Aid Office is available to offer help throughout the process of applying for both VA benefits and Federal Student Aid. We recommend completing your FAFSA prior to your first day of class, though it’s not required to begin classes. Escoffier’s team may be able to help you understand your eligibility and navigate the application process for all available funding sources.
Can I combine Tuition Assistance, the GI Bill®, and other grants?
Yes, you can often combine Tuition Assistance, GI Bill® benefits, and other grants to help fund your culinary education at Escoffier. Each branch of the U.S. Military offers a Tuition Assistance (TA) program that can cover up to $167 per quarter credit hour, not to exceed the amount per Military Fiscal Year based on branch of service. This may be used alongside your VA education benefits like the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Montgomery GI Bill®.
In addition to these federal programs, Escoffier offers up to $1,000 in Military Grants for qualifying active duty, Drilling National Guard, and Drilling Reservist service members, as well as up to $1,000 in Veterans Grants for honorably discharged veterans. Military spouses may also qualify for MyCAA funding of up to $4,000. Please note that Escoffier’s institutional grants cannot be combined with other institutional scholarships, but they can work alongside your federal benefits.
To make the most of your available funding, we recommend reaching out to our Financial Aid Office. Our team is available to help you understand which benefits you may be eligible for and how to use them effectively to potentially minimize out-of-pocket costs.
Are there scholarships or financial aid available in addition to VA benefits?
Absolutely! In addition to VA education benefits, Escoffier offers several institutional grants specifically for military students, veterans, and their families. Active duty service members, Drilling National Guard, and Drilling Reservist members may qualify for up to $1,000 through our Military Grant. Honorably discharged veterans may be eligible for up to $1,000 through our Veterans Grant. Spouses and dependents of honorably discharged veterans can apply for up to $500 through our Veterans Spouse or Dependent Grant.
Military spouses may also qualify for up to $4,000 through the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program, which provides financial assistance for career training and education. To be eligible, you must apply while your spouse is an active member of the military, National Guard, Coast Guard, or reserves within certain pay grades.
Beyond these military-specific options, students who complete the FAFSA® may qualify for Federal Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and other forms of Federal Student Aid. Escoffier also offers various scholarships from time to time; consult our list to see current opportunities.
Does Escoffier have a dedicated VA or Military Benefits Advisor?
Escoffier has staff members trained to assist you with VA benefits and military-related financial aid. Our team is knowledgeable about the various GI Bill® programs, Tuition Assistance, and other military benefits, and we’re here to offer guidance throughout the application process.
If you have questions about your VA benefits or need assistance with your military funding, you can reach our team at:
If you are interested in attending Escoffier in person at either our Boulder or Austin Campus, you may also reach out to the financial aid office at your campus of interest directly:
Austin Residential Financial Aid Office Phone: (512) 451-5743
What are the costs per quarter credit hour for Boulder campus & online programs?
A quarter credit hour is a unit of academic measurement based on Escoffier’s 12-week quarter system. One quarter credit represents 10 hours of lecture or 20 hours of lab or 30 hours of externship hours, and is consistent with both the Colorado Department of Higher Education and ACCET conversion guidelines.
Program costs vary depending on credential, length, and format of study. As of 2025-2026, the cost per quarter credit hour for programs offered online and at Escoffier’s Boulder Campus are as follows.
