The Consequences of the Recent Changes to Tuition Assistance

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 23:07:32 -0500

<p>Recent changes to the Tuition Assistance program for the Army result in a loss of benefits that should have caused a greater uproar. I understand and agree with many of the changes such as:</p><p> </p><p>o Requiring a year of service prior to beginning an undergraduate degree</p><p>o Requiring ten years of service before beginning a graduate degree</p><p>o Flagged service members losing eligibility</p><p> </p><p>What concerns me is the stealth reduction in TA annual benefit funds. According to the Army we will still be eligible for $4,500 per year with a cap of $250 per credit. The kicker is that we will now also be limited to 16 credits per year. Previously there was no annual credit limit, only a per term credit limit of 12 credit hours that was waiverable.</p><p> </p><p>Some quick math tells you that $250/credit x 16 credits is $4,000. In other words our TA benefit has been reduced by $500 per year. The only way to spend that $500 is to use it for a one time only certification or diploma. Even if you take advantage of the certification option it means that year two of your degree and there after will result in a hard reduction in benefits of $500 per year.</p><p> </p><p>Apparently someone realized that soldiers are less likely to complain to their congresional representatives when the loss of benefit is only realized if a service member is going to school full time (12 credits/semester per Federal guidance). Where was the outrage we heard when the Army was outright proposing cuts to the amount of TA per year? This is a very stealthy way to cut benefits.</p><p> </p><p>According to guidance from GoArmyEd.com you can't even split credits if for instance you used 10 credits in your first term and then took two more 4 credit classes in your second term. You would have to fully pay for the second class out of your own pocket because you would be over the 16 credit limit by 2 credits.</p><p> </p><p>http://www.army.mil/article/116405/Tuition_assistance_changes_to_take_effect</p><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2//c/images/2013/12/04/323356/size3.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://www.army.mil/article/116405/Tuition_assistance_changes_to_take_effect" target="_blank">Tuition assistance changes to take effect for 2014</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, there will be a cap on the number of semester hours that can be taken using Tuition Assistance, and tighter TA eligibility rules.</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by SPC James Bailey made Feb 25 at 2014 11:10 PM

SPC James Bailey — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 23:10:04 -0500

they really are looking to bleed the army out ain't they?

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Feb 26 at 2014 2:02 AM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 02:02:42 -0500

16 credits = 5 1/3 classes so even if they are paying 4 grand you are still looking at paying 500 bucks to get the full 4,000 dollars. However if you are going to a school that charges less than 250 a credit hour (most community colleges) then you still get you 16 credits and can afford to continue your education.

Also if you are looking at a school charging 250/credit look into FASFA and see if you qualify for grants. I have qualified for almost 10 grand in grants the past two years. So even when my TA ran out I was able to continue to go to school and not come out of pocket. I also qualified for loans which I have not used.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2014 6:30 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 06:30:00 -0500

If I can offer any advice to the lower enlisted; I would say "You better jump on it while you can, because you will eventually regret it, as I did". After 9 years I just started working on a degree, and I am debating on getting out of the military. Use the time wisely and at least knock out some credits while these benefits are still around.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2014 11:08 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 11:08:04 -0500

For those that haven't read the details of the policy I have copied and pasted the FAQ from the GoArmyEd.com website:

IMPORTANT: FY14 Tuition Assistance Policy, Effective 1 January 2014

The Army’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Tuition Assistance (TA) policy guidance effective 1 January 2014 brings the Army program in line with other Services.

Soldiers are eligible for TA upon successfully completing one year of service following graduation from either AIT, OCS or BOLC. You can take up to 16 semester hours of TA-funded courses per fiscal year and can use TA for a graduate degree once you have 10 years of service. If TA did not pay for any portion of your undergraduate degree, the 10-year policy does not apply. You will continue to receive up to $250 per semester hour for up to 130 semester hours for completion of a bachelor’s degree and up to 39 semester hours for completion of a master’s degree. This will permit Soldiers to complete one degree at the undergraduate or graduate level. TA cannot be used for a lower or lateral degree, nor can it be used for first-professional degrees, e.g., PhD, MD or JD.

NOTE: The Army will honor TA requests for payment for Soldiers with approved TA requests by 31 December 2013 whose eligibility for TA is affected by these policy changes (those currently in classes and those whose class might not have started yet). However, no further TA-funded enrollments are authorized until you meet the new eligibility requirements.

This policy maximizes the use of TA for all Soldiers in a constrained budget environment while continuing to support your professional and personal self-development goals and to prepare you for your eventual return to civilian life.

PART 1: FY14 TA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What will happen to the classes I am currently enrolled in through GoArmyEd that start after 1 January 2014? Will I be able to continue?
A. Any FY14 TA request approved by 31 December 2013 will be honored for payment. However, no new enrollments are authorized until you meet the new eligibility requirements.

Q2. I have already used 6 semester hours of TA since October. Do I have 16 more starting 1 January 2014 or only 10 more?
A. If you used TA for classes that started between 1 October and 31 December 2013, those semester hours will count towards your FY14 16 semester hour total.

Q3. Do 16 semester hours of TA-funded classes start at the beginning of the calendar year or at the beginning of the academic year?
A. The 16 semester hour is based on the fiscal year, 1 October to 30 September. TA is associated with the class start date within a fiscal year.

Q4. Can I take more than 16 semester hours a year if my classes are less than $250 per credit?
A. No, the credit-hour cost of your tuition will not change the 16 semester hours of TA-funded classes for which you are eligible.

Q5. Will remedial college classes count towards the 16 semester hour limit?
A. Yes, the semester hours used for remedial classes will count towards your 16 semester hour fiscal year total.

Q6. Will classes dropped for personal reasons count towards the 16 semester hour limit?
A. Yes, classes dropped after the start date in which there is a cost to the Army will count towards your 16 semester hour fiscal year total.

Q7. Will classes dropped for military reasons count towards the 16 semester hour limit?
A. If you have to drop a class due to unforeseen military reasons, those semester hours will not count towards your 16 semester hour fiscal year total. Note: Military withdrawal must be approved by a Soldier’s Education Services Officer to be valid.

Q8. Can I start using TA for my master's degree as soon as I graduate from AIT, OCS or BOLC since I already had a bachelor's when I joined?
A. If you already had a baccalaureate degree when you entered the military, you may begin working on a master’s degree once you have met the one-year service requirement from the end of AIT, OCS, or BOLC.

PART 2: FY14 TA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q9. If I have prior service, do I still have to wait 10 years?
A. Any prior military service completed with an honorable discharge will count towards the 10-year time requirement.

Q10. If TA pays for my bachelor’s degree do I have to meet the 10-year requirement to pursue a certificate/diploma?
A. No, the 10-year rule does not apply to certificates/diplomas.

Q11. Can I continue to work on my graduate degree even though I do not have 10 years?
A. You can continue to work on your graduate degree using funds other than TA as TA cannot be used for graduate level classes until the 10-year time requirement has been met (unless you did not use TA to earn your bachelor’s).

Q12. Is 10 years of service counted from the date I completed my bachelor's or from the time I joined the Army?
A. The 10-year policy for a graduate degree is based on when you entered the Service and not on when you completed your bachelor’s degree.

Q13. If TA only paid for one class to complete my bachelor's degree do I still have to wait until I have 10 years in service to start my master’s?
A. Yes, the 10-year window for a second degree (post-bachelor’s) TA-funded degree applies if TA paid for any portion of your bachelor’s degree.

Q14. If I use TA to earn an associate’s degree do I have to wait 10 years to be eligible for TA?
A. No, the 10- year policy for a second degree applies to the transition from an undergraduate to a graduate degree, not from an associate’s to a bachelor’s degree.

Q15. Will the 10-year service requirement for a second TA-funded degree be counted the same way for Active Duty and for Reserve Component Soldiers?
A. The 10-year time requirement for a second degree (post-bachelor’s) will be based on a Soldier’s BASD, if they are active duty, or PEBD, if they are in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve.

PART 3: FY14 TA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q16: How does prior service impact the one year after IET / BOLC year rule?
A: Prior service, regardless of Service, will be used to establish the one year eligibility date for Army TA. TA used while a member of another branch of Service does not have any impact on the use of Army TA.

Q17: What determines the eligibility for meeting the one year rule?
A: Eligibility for Federal TA will be based on one year of service from the completion of Initial Entry Training (IET). For enlisted Soldiers and most Warrant Officers this consists of Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). For commissioned officers this is their Basic Officer Leaders Course (BOLC).

Q18: What is the impact of the FY14 TA Policy on “host nation language” courses?
A: Soldiers stationed OCONUS may continue to use TA for host nation language courses even if they have not yet met the one year service requirement for TA use. No other courses may be taken until the one year service requirement is met.

Q19: How does prior service impact the ten year after IET rule?
A: All prior service years, regardless of the military branch will be used / counted toward the establishment of the ten year service requirement.

Q20: How does the FY14 TA policy impact the special programs such as courses for establishing initial teacher certification, prerequisite courses for the AMEDD Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP) and the Inter-service Physician's Assistant Program (IPAP), DOD Strategic Languages courses and courses for a Specialized Chaplain Certificate?
A: All Soldiers must meet the one year after IET requirement. Courses for the special programs are exempt from the ten year service requirement and the applicable undergraduate / graduate semester hour limit.

Q21: When do the Warrant Officer candidates in the high school to flight school program become eligible for TA?
A: The high school to Warrant Officers Flight Training (WOFT) will be eligible for TA one year after the completion of flight school.

Q22: If GAE paid for a certificate course, will the Soldier still have to serve ten years before GAE pays for a master’s degree?
A: No, the ten year service requirement is for any Soldier who had used TA for any portion of their bachelors’ degree.

PART 4: FY14 TA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q23: If a Soldier completed a bachelor’s degree, does the ten year restriction still apply if they want to pursue a certificate program?
A: No, however the number of semester hours for the certificate program will count towards the 39 semester hour graduate limit.

Q24: What is the TA eligibility status for 09R / 09S?
A: Not eligible (must meet the one year after completing Initial Entry Training rule.) Note – If Soldiers have prior service (any branch) and meet the one year after IET rule, Soldiers can use TA provided they are not on any type of ROTC Scholarship.

Q25: What is the recommended guidance for requesting TA at “flat-rate” tuition school (example: tuition cost remains the same for 12-18 semester hours)?
A: The Soldier should request TA for 12 SH through GoArmyEd, take the approved Non-LOI TA Request form to the school and then enroll for the additional SHs directly with the school. That way the Soldier will still have 4 SH to use in the next term.

Q26: If a Soldier is under the 16 SH limit but the next enrollment would take the total above 16 SH, will TA pay for the SH that do not go over the 16 SH limit?
A: No, the entire course cost must be student funded.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 26 at 2014 11:12 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 11:12:03 -0500

I'm ok with the new time frames. TA is a privelage, not a responsibility. It SHOULD be reserved for those who've made a more than minimal contribution towards the military.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 4:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 16:21:02 -0500

SSG Sweeney,

I agree with you that there does seem to be some misleading math here... I was thinking the same thing you said with the TA cap actually being cut by $500 based on the credit hour restriction. What confuses me is that, according to goarmyed.com, I still have a cap of $4,500. I am working on my master's degree, so I already have to come out of pocket for it, but I am interested to see how the system works out the payment for my 6th class this year. I imagine it will only pay out TA for 1 semester hour and I will have to pay the other two.

Personally, I think we still have it pretty good as far as college TA is concerned. I remember taking my first college course over a decade ago. I had to register and pay for the course, then I was reimbursed 75% of my tuition costs from the Army. I didn't take many courses back then, but I realized a few years ago that if the wars start scaling back and they start downsizing, then TA would probably be one of the first things to go. With that mindset, I loaded up on courses, maxing out my TA each year. I graduated with my bachelor's degree last summer and began my master's right away. This will be the third straight year that I use all of my TA funds, and I only wish I started to do so earlier in my career.

As much as I wouldn't like it, I think it would be fair to scale back to the pre-9/11 system where the Army paid 75% of tuition and we paid the rest out of pocket. This really isn't a bad deal at all. Pursuing an education is one of the best ways to distinguish yourself from your peers, especially when competing for promotions through centralized boards. On top of that, it is setting yourself up for whenever it is that you separate from the military, whether it be through ETS or retirement. Almost everyone will continue to work when they get out, and higher education is something that helps people get hired.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2014 7:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 19:45:58 -0400

Tuition Assistance isn't an entitlement. It's nice that we have 100%, but it wasn't like that when I joined. When I came in the Army it was 75% and you paid out of pocket or used the GI Bill to cover the rest, meaning you really had to want it. Paying 100% allows the Army to keep Soldiers in while they get their degrees, instead of getting out to pursue college. You can still use your GI Bill if you want to complete more than 16 credits in a year.

As far as waiting a year, it was felt that Soldiers should be focused on learning their jobs for the first year, and you don't have to wait till the 10 year mark if you didn't use TA for your Bachelor. As far as flagged Soldiers, they are flagged, and they need to overcome their flag. TA is not an entitlement.

I know that it sucks to have our usable TA cut by by $500 a year, but it's crunch time. I'm just happy that they didn't go back to 75% covered by TA. At least this way a Soldier can complete a Bachelor and a Masters degree before retiring and still transfer their full GI Bill to their dependents.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2016 11:29 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 23:29:21 -0400

what if you already have ready register for class and a class has started? and I get put on hold. what will happen to the course that I already use TA for