The facts about military Tuition Assistance

  • Published
  • Education and Training Center
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  · Active-duty members can receive $4,500 in Tuition Assistance each fiscal year, Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.
· TA can be used to obtain one associate's, bachelor's and master's degree, in addition to a Community College of the Air Force degree.
· TA may be received for one approved certification or licensure program recognized by the Department of Education; the TA cap is $9,000.
· Counseling is required for certification or licensure program approval.
· Apply for TA on the Air Force Virtual Education Center, which can be accessed through the Air Force Portal.
· Apply for TA up to 60 days prior to the course start date.
· AFVEC will not allow applications for TA after the course start date.
· TA can pay for 12 prerequisite credits for a master's degree, with an approved letter from the school.
· TA is not authorized for courses leading to a lateral or lower level degree than the member already possesses.
· Withdrawal from a class must be accomplished with the school first and then the paperwork must be brought from the school to the education office so the TA can be canceled.
· If a class is failed, the student has 30 days to come into the education office to arrange reimbursement. If a repayment plan has not been set up by the 31st day, the lump sum may be deducted from the student's paycheck.
· There is a suspension of future TA for those receiving a grade of F for undergraduate classes or a grade of D or F for graduate courses in two or more terms.
· There is a suspension of future TA for those with incompletes in two or more classes.
· Students can apply for TA from a home computer with a user ID and password or from a government computer.
· Students are required to have educational counseling and a goal on file BEFORE they can use TA.
· College 101 is offered every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m. offering information about starting college and applying for TA. This does count as mandatory educational counseling.
· The Montgomery GI Bill can be used in conjunction with TA, known as top-up, to cover tuition and fees that may not be fully covered by TA alone.
· Students will need a letter from their supervisor if they plan on taking a course overload (more than full time) when using TA.
· TA only covers tuition and specific fees, not books or supplies.

When the education office takes action on online requests for TA, applicants will receive an e-mail within two regular duty days of applying, which students can respond to directly.

If students are taking classes with an on-base school, they can use the online catalog. Otherwise, they will need to provide all the details when they apply. In either case, after the document is approved, the member will need to provide the TA document to the school. If using VA top-up, the student will also need to send that document to the appropriate VA office.

For more information or help applying, call the Education and Training Center at 731-3531, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.; Wednesday call between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.