TA cuts: How to adapt

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dillon Davis
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Active duty Airmen can no longer submit requests for tuition assistance, effective March 11, 2013.

The growing pressure of budget cuts are felt throughout the Department of Defense by civilians, military and family members. Due to today's fiscally constrained environment, the Air Force is making cuts in non-mission essential areas to help maintain a credible combat power. One of the many cuts made is the active-duty Airmen tuition assistance program.

In a letter to Airmen, Chief Master Sgt. James A. Cody, chief master sergeant of the Air Force, said "we remain as committed as ever to ensuring Airmen have the opportunity and means to pursue educational goals. Cody also added that there are other avenues available for educational assistance.

Airmen may still continue to pursue their educational goals with applicable VA education benefits that include the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, (Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill-Select Reserve (Chapter 1606), Reserve Education Assistance Program (Chapter 1607), the Post 9/11 GI Bill, federal grants and federal financial aid.

Airmen are also encouraged to speak with their respective Education Centers which provide educational support to Airmen, including education and vocational counseling, academic testing, and transcripts of their military training experience. Airmen should also reevaluate their current education programs and budget as necessary.

Military One Source is another valuable tool to determine what scholarships are available for specific fields of study.

"In the past, when military members would ask me about funding to go to school, we would have to muddle through stacks of papers to possibly find one or two scholarships that the individual was eligible for," said Eric Thayer, 97th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center section chief. "Now that the DOD uses Military One Source, we encourage Airmen and family members to use these resources to their advantage."

Visit the Military One Source website at http://www.militaryonesource.mil/ or call 800-342-9647.

For more information about available education programs contact the Altus AFB Education Center at 481-6619. Updated information will also be posted to the Air Force Virtual Education Center at https://www.my.af.mil/afvec.