UPDATE - WASHINGTON - Tuition assistance has been reinstated, though officials were still working out details. Defense Department spokesman Mark Wright said Wednesday: "Based on the legislation that just passed, tuition assistance is to be reinstated across the services. DoD agrees with Congress that the tuition assistance program is very important, both to the department and our service members. Each service is responsible for funding and administering its tuition assistance program in accordance with the DoD tuition assistance policy. We are working with the services to develop a plan to comply with any legislation."
WASHINGTON - As of March 8, funding for tuition assistance will cease and Soldiers cannot submit new requests for tuition assistance, according to Lt. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg, deputy chief of staff, G-1.
Approval for the tuition assistance, also known as TA, stoppage came from Secretary of the Army John McHugh, and affects Soldiers from both the active and reserve components.
Those currently enrolled in courses approved for TA are not impacted and will be allowed to complete their funded coursework, however.
National Guard Soldiers may be eligible for state-funded TA benefits. Federal loans or grants are another option for all Soldiers, as well as their families.
Soldiers are encouraged to contact their local education centers with any question they may have regarding their education needs and planning, according to officials from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs/Army G-1. Also, updates on any changes to the TA funding will be posted to http://www.goarmyed.com.
This suspension in funding "is necessary given the significant budget execution challenges caused by the combined effects of a possible year-long continuing resolution and sequestration," the G-1 public affairs office wrote in a statement.
The suspension "will remain in effect until the fiscal situation matures," Bromberg said in the statement. "The Army understands the impacts of this action and will re-evaluate should the budgetary situation improve," he added.
TA funding, derived from the Army's budget, is the only education funding currently affected. Soldiers can continue their education using alternate methods.
GI Bill funding, which is derived from the Department of Veterans Affairs, is available and Soldiers can continue their education using this benefit.
The GI Bill includes the Montgomery GI Bill, Post 9/11 GI Bill and several other education programs listed on its website: http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/