WASHINGTON - The Air Force suspended military tuition funding Monday in the wake of sequestration that led to the Army stop of such payments on March 8.
“This is an additional step the Air Force unfortunately had to take to operate within mandated budget limitations,” said Michael Donley, the secretary of the Air Force.
"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."
Airmen should contact their local education centers with questions and to get updates.
On the Army side:
- Funding for tuition assistance ceased March 8 and Soldiers cannot submit new requests for tuition assistance, according to Lt. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg, deputy chief of staff, G-1.
- Soldiers from both the active and reserve components are affected.
- Those currently enrolled in courses approved for TA are not impacted and will be allowed to complete their funded coursework.
- 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.
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/
David Vergun is with Army News Service