New changes to TA qualifications

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Keenan Berry
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Air Force has modified the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program for fiscal year (FY) 14 to ensure its continuation despite the constraints of anticipated smaller budgets.
While the military TA rates for FY14 remain unchanged and eligible Airmen will be able to receive $4,500 total this fiscal year at the rate of $250 per semester hour, new eligibility requirements were implemented for TA approval, said Darla Rush, 509th Force Support Squadron Force Development flight chief.

"The military TA program actualized four main changes for eligibility purposes," she said. "Supervisors will be required to approve all military TA requests, which will keep them informed of any educational endeavors their troops wish to pursuit. Military TA will be automatically denied for Airmen with UIFs, failed PT tests, referral EPR/OPRs, or on a control roster, which only applies to recent discrepancies. Foreign language courses will only be approved if part of a degree or if on the approved shortage list."

Additionally, TA cannot be used for multiple degrees at the same level.

These changes may serve as motivation for Airmen to perform well and exceed Air Force standards.

In addition to the four eligibility changes, there have been multiple administrative changes made concerning how Airmen will apply for the program and manage their academic goals. Most notably, both Airmen and their supervisors will be required to take a more proactive approach to the TA process.

"Specifically, Airman will be held accountable for ensuring the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) has current and accurate contact information for them and their supervisors," said Rush. "Airman students will be required to populate a dynamic e-Degree plan in the AFVEC. Once the education center has approved the plan and the Airman's supervisor has approved the request, Airmen won't have to wait for the education office to give final approval. They will be able to select courses from their plan which will automatically be approved upon their supervisor's signature."

The AFVEC will undergo significant modifications to accommodate these changes. During the testing phase, select Airmen will be asked to participate to ensure the changes go smoothly and are user- friendly. Participating Airmen will also be asked to complete a questionnaire on the usability of the system.

Their answers will help determine changes to the system prior to launch, said Mark Carter, 509th FSS chief of education and training.

"The base education office staff is standing ready to assist Airmen," said Carter. "They have the latest information on a myriad of financial aid options, including tuition assistance, and are well-equipped to assist Airmen with goal-setting, testing and other aspects of the voluntary education program. I encourage all Airmen to first consult the education office for the most up-to-date information and professional advice."