Air Force suspends tuition assistance program

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Allie Delury
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Tuition assistance for active duty and reserve Airmen has been temporarily suspended.

Airmen with approved tuition assistance will not be affected by the suspension and will remain enrolled in their current courses. The cuts will not affect the G.I. Bill, and Airmen will still be able to use alternate funding sources such as grants and scholarships to pay for school.

"We are entering a fiscal environment unseen in America's history; and no one has a simple answer," said Lt. Col. Tyler Schaff, 31st Force Support Squadron commander. "The senior military and civilian leadership of the Air Force understand the importance of education to our future success, and will do what they can with the dollars available to maintain the highest educated Air Force possible."

News of the suspension broke on March 11 following guidance from The Under Secretary of the Air Force regarding the immediate suspension of all military tuition assistance.

The guidance added that all applications for tuition assistance that were submitted before the Air Force Virtual Education Center was shut down will continue to be processed.

As a result of the suspension, the education office on base will be offering briefings to Airmen and squadrons on alternate ways to pay for their education. Personnel will also be on hand to answer questions and provide counseling.

"Whether or not Airmen are staying in or getting out, having an education is becoming that much more important in today's society," said Dr. David Muhleman, chief of Education and Training. "Knowing where and how to get financing is a key element to educational success."

If squadrons or organizations on base would like to further educate Airmen on the tuition assistance suspension, they can contact the education office at 632-5440.