Changes to Tuition Assistance Coming in January

CSM Mike Maynard — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 18:48:18 -0500

FYI and How Will This Affect You? In the next few days, the Army will announce some new policies effective 1
January 2014. Those include the following: Soldiers cannot use TA until after
successful completing their first year in the Army after graduation from AIT.
They are restricted to 16SHs/year and Soldiers cannot use TA for a second,
higher-level degree until completion of 10 years’ time in service. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Soldiers will continue to receive $250/SH and current policy limits
Soldiers to 130 SHs for completion of a bachelor's degree and 39 SHs for a master’s
degree. Soldiers cannot be funded for a second equivalent degree, i.e., no
second bachelor's or master's degree. All courses must be part of an approved
degree plan. TA cannot be used for first professional degrees, e.g., PhD,MD,
JD. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

In addition to DA adverse action flags, the Army will continue the policy to
not allow TA for Soldiers who are flagged for APFT/Height/Weight.<o:p></o:p>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2013 9:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 21:45:18 -0500

Someone brought up a good question today about this and I did not know how to answer. Is a Bachelors degree considered a higher-level degree if you got an associates before your 10 year mark?

Response by SPC Matthew Birkinbine made Nov 16 at 2013 3:48 AM

SPC Matthew Birkinbine — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 03:48:14 -0500

I get that soldiers on the overweight program have little time, as it is, due to getting more exercise; but I feel that the policy over not allowing flagged soldiers TA is outdated. I've missed out on probably many a good class because of my struggles with my run, and most recently, weight.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2013 12:21 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 12:21:43 -0500

I like most of the changes being made. The 10 year mark makes sense to the Army because it would seem that most people would be thinking of staying in for the long haul. This would make the money spent on TA worth it o to Army as the would reap the rewards of having more educated leaders in the ranks.
I agree with the flagged Soldiers not being able to use TA. Once they meet the standard, the Army would go back to picking up the bill.
The only part I disagree with is the 16 SH/yr cap. I have no labs in my degree plan so my class are 3SH each. I will only be able to complete 5 classes/year under the new plan. The old plan was $4500 or 6 x 3SH classes.

If we lose one class per year and the other 5 are still 100% covered, it's a loss I would definitely concede to.

Just my 2 cents.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2013 5:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 17:10:32 -0500

Good info CSM Maynard. Thanks for the heads up.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2013 12:02 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 00:02:59 -0500

This seems a little weak to me. I am currently enrolled in 12SHs for this semester, and planned on repeating that to stay within the $4500 annual allotment.

At 16Shs/yr it will take a hair under 4 years to complete a 2 year degree. Civilian education is a requirement to get promoted and I feel this will stem personnel from pushing themselves to succeed. Much of my time while not deployed is woefully mismanaged, and I have more than ample free time to complete 12Hrs/Semester, with no issues at all.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Nov 17 at 2013 3:04 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 03:04:35 -0500

I remember when a soldier could earn 24 s/h in a year if they wanted to work really hard at it. I guess those days are over.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Nov 25 at 2013 5:54 PM

CSM Mike Maynard — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:54:24 -0500

And here is the message detailing the changes to Tuition Assistance:

The Tuition Assistance program is intended to provide financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education in support of Soldiers' professional and personal self-development goals. It also supports retaining quality Soldiers and assists in returning Soldiers to civilian careers along with supporting three of the seven ALDS imperatives: 1) commitment to the Army Profession, life-long learning 2) training, education and experience components of leader development and 3) management of the military/civilian talent to benefit the institution and individual.

A comprehensive review has been conducted and the following changes are approved effective January 2014 to bring the Army program in line with other Services: Soldiers will be eligible for TA upon successfully completing one year of service following graduation from AIT. They may take up to 16 semester hours/year and Soldiers can use TA for a second, higher-level degree once they have 10 years of service.

The program allows Soldiers to receive $250/SH for up to 130 SHs for completion of a bachelors degree and 39 SHs for a masters degree. This level of funding permits Soldiers to complete one degree at each level as part of an approved degree plan. As other fully funded programs are available for first professional degrees (PhD, MD, JD), TA is not designed for this purpose. To be eligible for TA, Soldiers must meet APFT and Height/Weight standards and not have a DA adverse action flag.