Air Force suspends military tuition assistance

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. David Salanitri
  • Air Force Public Affairs Agency
WASHINGTON --  In the wake of sequestration, the Air Force officially suspended military tuition assistance March 11.

The Defense Department's comptroller issued guidance to all of the services to "consider significant reductions in funding new tuition assistance applicants, effective immediately and for the duration of the current fiscal situation," said Navy Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde, a Pentagon spokeswoman.

Effective March 11, Airmen are not permitted to submit new requests for TA. Airmen currently enrolled in, or approved for future courses, are not affected and are allowed to complete those courses.

"The Air Force has reached a turning point after a decade of war and substantial growth in its operations and resources," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, adding that the Air Force has had to make difficult choices to preserve readiness, to include: deep cuts to flying hour programs, cancellation of Air Force training and education programs and civilian furloughs. "This is an additional step the Air Force unfortunately had to take to operate within mandated budget limitations."

"We know how education strengthens our force," he said. "We encourage Airmen to continue their pursuit of higher education through the variety of programs that are available."

Those include the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, (Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), Reserve Education Assistance Program (Chapter 1607), the Post 9/11 GI Bill, federal grants and federal financial aid. National Guard Airmen may also be eligible for their state's individual TA benefits.

"Believe me, this was a tough decision because our Air Force truly values education," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody. "We're still looking at the impacts for fiscal year 14 and will do our best to have TA reinstated, although we'll likely need to review the eligibility requirements to ensure sustainability."

The Air Force is the latest service to suspend tuition assistance. The Marine Corps was the first followed by the Army then the Coast Guard.

"Funding for tuition assistance will cease and Soldiers cannot submit new requests for tuition assistance," said Army Lt. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg, deputy chief of staff, G-1, March 8.

"Voluntary Education Tuition Assistance for the Marine Corps has been ceased," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, March 8. "Given the uncertainty imposed by an indefinite continuing resolution, the Department of the Navy intends to commence some reductions immediately."

The Navy is the only service not to suspend tuition assistance for their Sailors although Navy officials are reviewing the program, said George Little, a Pentagon spokesman. Those inside the Pentagon expect the service to announce action soon that would suspend or limit new enrollments for tuition assistance.

Unlike the other services, Navy leaders have considered only limiting enrollments rather than suspending tuition assistance completely.

The suspensions for the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard will extend until the end of this fiscal year, which ends on Oct. 1. Pentagon leaders have made no decisions about whether the suspensions will continue into next fiscal year.

(Information gathered from Air Force, Army and Marines News Services)