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Home : Military Professional Development : Tuition Assistance Policy
Tuition Assistance Policy The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a uniform tuition assistance policy across the military services effective 1 Oct 98.? Soldiers will receive a maximum total yearly amount of up to $3,500 at a rate of 75 percent of tuition costs, or up to a maximum of $187.50 per semester hour, whichever is less.? The new policy is a much improved benefit package for soldiers.? It could permit them to take more courses than under current Army policy and at the same time pay less out-of-pocket for each course. Over the past eight years, demand for Army TA increased to a level which could not be covered by available resources.? Soldiers with goals of trying to remain competitive in a smaller Army and/or preparing to transition to civilian employment view continuing education as a way to achieve their goals. The TA program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a soldier?s professional and personal self-development goals.? All soldiers (officers, warrant officers, enlisted) on active duty, and Army National Guard and Army Reserve on active duty pursuant to Title 10 or Title 32 U.S. Code, are authorized to participate in the TA program.? Active duty members of other Services who are supported by the Army under provisions of an Inter-service Support Agreement, and members of the Selected Reserve based on availability of Reserve Component funds, also are eligible for the TA program.? Before obtaining TA, soldiers must visit an education counselor to declare an educational goal and educational plan. Prior to the DoD-mandated uniform TA policy, the Army developed a standardized policy which was closely monitored and adjusted based on TA usage and available funding.? Initially in April 1994, Army leadership convened a task force to determine the most effective way to implement a consistent and equitable TA policy.? Based on task force recommendations, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs directed implementation of the standardized Army policy effective FY95.? The intent of the policy was to provide all soldiers throughout the Army equal access to TA funded post-secondary instruction, regardless of area of assignment or availability of courses during the fiscal year. In FY95, soldiers were authorized nine semester hours of TA per year with the Army paying 75 percent of tuition.? The following semester hours dollar limits, or caps were in effect:? lower level (freshman/sophomore), $60; upper level (junior/senior), $85; and graduate level, $170.? In FY96, the Army announced a change to the policy which increased TA from nine to 12 semester hours per year.? In addition, commanders were granted authority to augment TA funding from local resources beyond the 12 semester hour policy.? Mid year FY96, the Army increased TA from 12 semester hours to 15 semester hours.? During FY97 and FY98, soldiers are authorized 15 semester hours at 75 percent of the cost of tuition, subject to established semester hour caps. Tuition assistance will be used to provide financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a soldier's professional and personal self-development goals. Tuition assistance is related directly to retaining quality soldiers, enhancing their career progression, increasing the combat readiness of the Army, and returning soldiers to civilian careers. Personnel eligible for TA - Soldiers on active duty. ? Commissioned officers must agree to remain on active duty for a least 2 years after completion of the course for which TA is provided unless involuntarily separated by the Army before that time. Officers who fail to meet this requirement because they voluntarily separate or are discharged for misconduct before they complete their service TA commitment are required to reimburse the Army the amount of TA that represents the unserved portion of the 2-year obligation as agreed upon by signing the DA Form 2171. Enlisted soldiers and warrant officers must have sufficient time remaining at their current duty station and in their term of service to complete the course before PCS/ETS unless involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge. To obtain TA, all eligible solders must declare an educational goal in terms of a credential (a degree or certificate), certification (national or regional, or license and have an educational plan outlining the requirements of their educational goal. Solders have the option of pursuing disciplines related to their professional development or their personal goals. Educational goals and objectives must be recorded on DA Form 669 and DA Form 2171 or equivalent electronic forms. Goal changes are authorized only after consultation with an education specialist.? Army TA will be authorized on a course-by-course basis only for courses that are part of a soldier's educational goal. Tuition Assistance is authorized for: *Off-duty classroom and alternative delivery courses that support a soldier's educational goal. *One credential each at the diploma, certificate, associate, baccalaureate, or graduate level with no more than one license or certification in an area of specialization. Enlisted soldiers with a postsecondary credential may receive TA for courses required for license or certification in their MOS. *Undergraduate prerequisite courses for enrolling in a baccalaureate's or master's degree or for completing requirements for career advancement programs, such as Officer Candidate School, USMA, and the Army Medical Department Enlisted Commissioning Program. School officials for the master's degree and the commander for career advancement programs must provide written documentation that additional undergraduate work is necessary for the soldier's program of study *As with DANTES independent study courses, TA will be paid after successful completion of courses. However, prior approval must be obtained by the education specialist or Chief, ESD using the college enrollment form and be recorded in the DA Form 669.? Soldiers agree to reimburse the Army upon signing the DA Form 2171 when any of the following actions occurs: *The soldiers withdraws because of official separation, confinement, or similar administrative action by the commander for disciplinary or fraudulent causes. *The solider withdraws from or fails to complete a course for personal reasons. *The solider receives an academic failure due to nonattendance. *The solider fails to make up an "incomplete" grade within the time limits stipulated by the institution or 120 days after the completion of the class, which ever comes first. *A commissioned officer or RC commissioned officer fails to complete the service commitment. *A solider is eligible to receive TA after reimbursing the Government. *Soldiers who withdraw for reasons clearly beyond their control, that is emergency leave or reassignment, as certified by the commander do not have to reimburse the Army for TA. |
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