After 1000's of Complaints, Congress Reverses Supsension of Military Tuition Assistance Program
When the sequestration hit March 1st, financial cuts affected most federally funded programs. The military tuition assistance program was one that ended up in the line of fire, no longer accessible for active duty military members wishing to further their education.
Due to budgetary constraints, the Army along with the Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard decided to pull the trigger and suspend their tuition program effective Friday, March 8th at 5 p.m. This was the first time a suspension such as this took place since the 1940s, when the program initially started. The program was meant to assist active duty soldiers in the Army, looking to continue their education at a community college, trade school, or even obtain their Masters degree. According to reports, some military members transfer their GI Bill to family members (kids or spouse).
The tuition assistance (TA) is a healthy backup for soldiers who want to return to school and not use their GI Bill. The GI Bill as of 2012-2013 allows for $18,077.50 per academic year, and grants more for those going to an expensive private school under the Yellow Ribbon program. The Army military tuition program differs in the amount of money granted annually. Per academic year, $4,500 is allotted to active duty soldiers, which breaks down to $250 per semester hour.
The major benefit of TA is that soldiers do not have to be out of the military to return to school. The GI Bill requires active duty soldiers to utilize the GI Bill once they are no longer in the military. Thursday, Congress reversed the suspension of most TA programs after receiving thousands of complaints and outrage from people all over the nation.
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