TA - The cost is high for those not choosing to use this benefit Published April 16, 2007 By Senior Master Sgt. David Halvorson 341st Comptroller Squadron MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- It's a new year, and you're wondering how you can make the most of the next 12 months of your life. Why not get back into school and set yourself up for a brighter future? It's easy, the outcome is overwhelmingly positive, and best of all - it's FREE as a result of the Tuition Assistance program. Most of us have heard that "nothing good in life is free" and it's true in this case, too. You need to commit time to attend classes and do homework, and you need to make certain sacrifices in terms of family, friends and personal interests. That's a no-brainer. By and large, however, the end results are worth every bit of that sacrifice. One good bit of news is that the sacrifice doesn't have to have a dollar sign attached. The Air Force Tuition Assistance program is an important quality of life program that provides 100 percent tuition for college courses taken by active-duty personnel during off-duty hours. Not surprisingly, the program is one of the most frequent reasons given for enlisting and re-enlisting in the Air Force. The changing face of America's workforce continues to show us that a high school diploma (or even an Associate Degree) just isn't the discriminator it once was in promoting the abilities and potential of individuals in the workforce. How's that again? Try this stat on for size. In 1980, studies undertaken by the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service indicated that just 40 percent of high school graduates attended college while 60 percent flowed directly into the work force. But 25 years later, that ratio is reversed with approximately 60 percent of high school graduates attending some college. How does this impact you? I guess it depends on which group you fall into. If that statement hit a nerve with some, then my purpose is half achieved. It's up to you to take the next step. If you want to be more marketable when you transition from the military - and make yourself more promotable while still on active duty, I might add - you need to be sure you stand out from your competition. It's not a matter of being better than the next guy. It's a matter of building your skills and abilities through a formalized program of studies, and having a sheepskin that will speak of your ability to set and achieve goals. If you're on active duty, you have several options for how to pay for college. Making the right choice can be critical for two reasons: 1) to avoid out- of-pocket expenses, and 2) to have the greatest amount of benefits when you leave the service. The following summarizes the basic benefits and limitations currently offered by the TA program. Program Highlights TA provides: ~ No-cost ED benefits ~ Simple application process ~ Coverage up to 100 percent of tuition ~ Associated course fees covered ~ Non-competitive assistance Limitations to Consider Limited to: ~ $250 per semester hour/$166 Qtr Hr ~ $4,500 annually (per FY) ~ Not for post-master's degree ~ Not authorized for courses leading to lateral or lower level degree (CCAF provides exceptions) When you compare the total Air Force educational benefits against many of the top civilian firms, its hard to ignore the value of this outstanding program. If you've done any research into the subject, than you are probably among those who have experienced education "sticker shock." According to information gathered from the College Board and the Census Bureau, over the last 25 years (since 1981), the cost of a public four-year college education (typical Bachelor degree) has increased by 202 percent. That equates to approx $4,000 per year for public universities and more than $18,000 for private colleges. Multiply by four and it just gets worse. A Congressional analysis of college costs conducted in 2003 by the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, reveals that while Americans believe it is becoming more and more important to go to college, college education is conversely becoming less and less affordable. National statistics support emphasizing higher education, reporting the median annual wage to be significantly higher for those with higher education - high school diploma/$26K vs. Bachelor Degree/$40K. Statistics also show that unemployment rates are inversely proportionate for those possessing higher education - 4.1 percent for high school diploma vs. 1.9 percent for BA or BS degrees. Over a lifetime, the costs of not pursuing higher education can be mind-boggling. But don't despair. The Air Force is committed to paying for your college while you serve on active duty. TA program benefits are offered to eligible personnel almost from the moment they begin their Air Force journey. So yes,it's still true that nothing good in life is free - but in the end, the cost of NOT using TA is far too high to ignore.