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Guidelines for using military tuition assistance

By Education and Training Office personnel / Published July 26, 2007

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MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Tuition assistance is a great benefit of being in the military or being a family member of a military member. There are also many things to keep in mind when using TA. 

* Active-duty service members receive $4,500 in TA each fiscal year. 

* TA can be used to earn an associates, bachelors and masters degree in addition to a Community College of the Air Force degree. 

* Students may receive TA for one approved certification program recognized by the Department of Education; the TA cap is $9,000 per career. 

* Students apply for TA on the Air Force Virtual Education Center, which is accessed through the AF Portal at www.my.af.mil. 

* Students can apply for TA 60 days prior to the course start date. 

* The Air Force virtual education center will not allow students to apply for TA after the course start date. 

* TA can pay for 12 pre-requisite 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 student already possesses. 

* If a student withdraws from a class, they must do so with the school first and then bring the paperwork from the school to the education office so the TA can be cancelled. 

* If a student fails a class, they have 30 days to come in to the education office to arrange reimbursement. If a re-payment plan is not set up within 31 days, the lump sum may be deducted from the student's paycheck. 

* There is a suspension of future TA for people 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 people with incompletes in two or more classes. 

* Students must 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. College 101 is a course that consists of information about starting college and applying for TA. This does count as the mandatory educational counseling. 

* The Montgomery G. I. 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 a student's online request for TA, they will receive an e-mail within two regular duty days of applying, which can be responded to directly. 

* If students take classes with an on-base school, they can use the online catalog. Otherwise, they need to provide all details when they apply. After the document is approved, the student needs to provide it to the school. If using Veteran's Affairs Top-Up, the student needs to send the TA document to the appropriate VA office. 

For more information, call 731-3531.
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