Airmen applying for tuition assistance in fiscal 2014 will see several changes in both eligibility for and administration of this system.
Due to those changes, the appliance window for classes beginning on or after Oct. 1 is not going to open until Sept. 9 to permit for system updates.
This program is applicable to protect and Reserve only after they are activated.
The cornerstone of the Air Force’s FY14 program would be supervisor involvement. Airmen who apply for TA may be required to acquire supervisor acclaim for all requests. Supervisors may deny requests for Airmen in any level of upgrade training, if the Airman would be TDY or can be PCSing through the academic term, if the Airman is enrolled in PME or for the other factors the supervisor determines would impede the Airman’s ability to finish the course.
Requests for TA for foreign language courses will only be approved in the event that they are section of some extent or are at the approved language shortage list. TA should not approved for Airmen seeking a point on the same level as they currently hold, with a number of exceptions in support of certain graduate foreign language/affairs programs, cyber law master’s degrees and multiple Community College of the Air Force degrees for Airmen who hold multiple enlisted Air Force specialty codes.
“Air Force leaders worked very hard to develop a TA program that offers the correct opportunities for Airmen and meets Air Force needs. Higher education remains a cornerstone of Airmen’s development in any respect levels,” said Kimberly Yates, the Air Force Voluntary Education chief. The Air Force instruction for voluntary education would be rewritten to mirror these changes.
Failing to satisfy Air Force standards will impact an Airman’s eligibility. TA requests from Airmen who’ve unfavorable information files, failed/overdue physical fitness testing, received referral performance reports or are on a control roster will automatically be denied.
The fundamental financial benefits of TA are unchanged. Airmen who’re approved to receive TA may receive as much as $4,500 per fiscal year and a maximum of $250 per semester hour including tuition and allowable fees.
“The changes to TA in FY14 require Airmen and their supervisors to more actively engage in managing academic pursuits and goals,” said Russell Frasz, the director of Force Development. “This might help leaders ensure Airmen cash in on academic opportunities while balancing their goals with mission requirements.”
The Air Force Virtual Education Center will undergo significant modifications to deal with these changes, which has driven a delay within the opening of the appliance window for FY14 courses from Aug. 1 until Sept. 9.
“The delay may also help us test the system and confirm this is user friendly and should work smoothly for Airmen,” Yates said. For the primary time, Airmen within the field are considering testing the updated system and providing feedback to make it as user friendly as possible.
Airmen should contact their base education office for more details or for assistance in applying.
(Courtesy of Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs)
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