Military Tuition Assistance Update

As many of you are aware, the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force have suspended their Military Tuition Assistance Programs while the Navy still considers their options.

http://www.nasfaa.org/Main/orig/2013/Army,_Marine_Corps,_and_Air_Force_to_Suspend_Tuition_Assistance_Programs;_Navy_Programs_Still_Under_Consideration.aspx

NASFAA joined other groups by signing onto a letter from ACE to the Secretary of Defense expressing concern over the suspension of the military tuition assistance programs.  As the above article notes, the cancellation of TA does not pertain to veteran’s benefits, as they are largely exempt from sequestration.

Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) has joined Senator Jim Inhofe from Oklahoma in introducing a bipartisan amendment to reinstate the Tuition Assistance program.  Senator Hagan also sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense expressing her grave concerns.  Unfortunately, the Senate failed to reach an agreement to consider amendments to the Continuing Resolution, including the Inhofe-Hagan amendment.  However, Senators Hagan and Inhofe have introduced a bipartisan standalone bill, Senate bill S. 614, to reinstate the Tuition Assistance Program.

Below are two articles regarding the proposed bill:

http://fayobserver.com/articles/2013/03/14/1243469

Fayetteville, NC is home to Fort Bragg.  Fort Bragg is home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces of the United States Army.

http://www.jdnews.com/news/military/amendment-could-reinstate-tuition-assistance-program-1.111088

Jacksonville, NC is home to the Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune.  Camp Lejeune is home of the Expeditionary Forces.

Information on Senate Bill S. 614 can be found below on govtrack.us:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s614

Amy Berrier
SASFAA Legislative Relations Chair