Posted on Jan 22, 2016
Does anyone know how to get an exception to the requirement for TA being required to submit prior class starting? ?
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Due to lack of Army education counselor assistance in getting the course uploaded into my planner, and the college's inability to correctly process registration documents (directly concerning military status; required a memorandum from my command during the holiday stand period) correctly or in a timely manner; I wasn't able to register for classes until the day before classes started. During this time the Army education counselor was on leave, so my planner wasn't properly updated in time to submit a TA request.
My partial oversight was that I was unaware these requests had to be submitted prior to the course start date. According to AR 621-5, this is the education counselor's responsibility to inform me of this requirement. The counselor knew of my intentions, and the delay in the college processing.
When my planner was approved, a week later, I immediately went into GoArmyEd to submit the TA request (the counselor was aware of my intentions with these courses for over 2 months). The GoArmyEd website will not allow me to submit this request because the class already started and the Education counselor claims there is no way around this stipulation.
According to AR 621-5, exceptions to the regulation can be processed through the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Army Continuing Education System, Chief, Education Division or a delegated authority. This doesn't seem like a serious enough issue to pursue at that level, but I'm not sure what else to do. I paid out of pocket because that's the only way the school would allow me to register. The education counselor is basically saying 'tough luck'. This stance on TA requests, in my opinion, goes against the U.S. Army's intent to support soldiers furthering education.
If you have any guidance I'd greatly appreciate it. With my past experiences of USAG-HI support functions I wouldn't be surprised if the education center can process the request and just refuse to. It seems extremely unprofessional for them to hold me accountable for not getting the request submitted on time, when the delay was the fault of the education center and the college. I'm not trying to redirect the blame from myself, but I don't see what else I could have done on my part that would have led to a different end result.
My partial oversight was that I was unaware these requests had to be submitted prior to the course start date. According to AR 621-5, this is the education counselor's responsibility to inform me of this requirement. The counselor knew of my intentions, and the delay in the college processing.
When my planner was approved, a week later, I immediately went into GoArmyEd to submit the TA request (the counselor was aware of my intentions with these courses for over 2 months). The GoArmyEd website will not allow me to submit this request because the class already started and the Education counselor claims there is no way around this stipulation.
According to AR 621-5, exceptions to the regulation can be processed through the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Army Continuing Education System, Chief, Education Division or a delegated authority. This doesn't seem like a serious enough issue to pursue at that level, but I'm not sure what else to do. I paid out of pocket because that's the only way the school would allow me to register. The education counselor is basically saying 'tough luck'. This stance on TA requests, in my opinion, goes against the U.S. Army's intent to support soldiers furthering education.
If you have any guidance I'd greatly appreciate it. With my past experiences of USAG-HI support functions I wouldn't be surprised if the education center can process the request and just refuse to. It seems extremely unprofessional for them to hold me accountable for not getting the request submitted on time, when the delay was the fault of the education center and the college. I'm not trying to redirect the blame from myself, but I don't see what else I could have done on my part that would have led to a different end result.
Education
Tuition assistance
Student
Higher Education
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 5
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The education center and a military rep in the ed center for that college should be your best bet. That planner was like black ice to people when it was first implemented. It seems that hasn't changed.
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SGT (Join to see)
Best I can say is talk with someone in Veterans Success on Campus (VSOC), put a ticket in GoArmyEd, and talk to someone senior in that Ed center. That's the best advice I can offer. You could try adding more similar tags to your question to get more attention to it. Maybe SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL , SFC Stephen King , PO2 Ed C. , and SPC Margaret Higgins can do better.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
SGT (Join to see) I spoke with the helpdesk, they said the same thing. TA won't pay for a class if it's already started. Seems a little fucked up that education centers are allowed to screw soldiers over like this.
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SGT (Join to see)
That is rough. Wish I could help more. Feel free to reach out again if you need to be let down again, ok ?
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SGT Kristin Wiley
I'm just adding this to the list of reasons I'm getting out. There appears to be this huge problem that no matter the situation or 'who's to blame' the lowest level is that one that gets shafted.
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I'd pursue the exception through HRC/ACES, and I can't think of an option the school could use to assist with your exception request. The school I am at is not on a base, but we process TA through GoArmyEd, which is a hot mess to navigate. I personally used the paper based TA process at several different schools without an issue, GOE is a prime example of a vendor delivered solution that doesn't deliver. If you are successful and don't mind sharing the 'how' with me, please do so. It might help me assist another SM in a similar snafu. Good luck!
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MSG Patrick Quinn
Also, off topic but if you're looking at premed there is a partnership that lets you attend school on active duty. I'm not sure if it is anything you're interested in, or fits timelines, but info is here: https://www.usuhs.edu/emdp2
Enlisted to Medical Degree Home | Uniformed Services University
The mission of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is to educate, train and prepare uniformed services health professionals, officers and leaders to directly support the Military Health System, the National Security and National Defense Strategies of the United States and the readiness of our Armed Forces.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
MSG Patrick Quinn I believe most if not all LOI schools use GoArmyEd. I'll look into doing the exception, but it looks like it will be a pain.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
MSG Patrick Quinn If you look in detail to that program, it's not worth it, as with most military 'incentives'. The program will pay for your medical school, but so will your GI Bill (if you don't use it for undergrad work). The problem with the program is that if at any point you decide you want to do something different, you fail to meet requirements, etc...you'll resort to your previous enlisted rank to serve out twice the amount of time they paid for your school.
Alternatively, a soldier can use TA for their undergrad, and the GI Bill for medical school with no additional service obligation. Additionally, they can attend an OCS program to serve as an officer in the National Guard or Reserves while in Medical School, or get a direct commission after graduating. This option takes out a lot of the risk associated with the Army program, and does not require additional years of service.
Alternatively, a soldier can use TA for their undergrad, and the GI Bill for medical school with no additional service obligation. Additionally, they can attend an OCS program to serve as an officer in the National Guard or Reserves while in Medical School, or get a direct commission after graduating. This option takes out a lot of the risk associated with the Army program, and does not require additional years of service.
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MSG Patrick Quinn
SGT Kristin Wiley - Sorry if not clear, regardless whether LOI or not LOI - schools are forced to use GOE to accept TA. Some schools make a lot of money off TA, others put up with GOE bureaucracy simply to allow SMs to use their TA benefit.
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