Tuition Assistance cut; there's hope thanks to other options Published March 22, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Sarah Breer 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley announced March 11, 2013 that the Air Force has officially suspended tuition assistance for the remainder of fiscal year 2013 in response to sequestration. Airmen currently enrolled in, or approved for future courses are not affected by the TA suspension. However, Airmen are not permitted to submit new requests for TA effective immediately. The future of the program for fiscal year 2014 is still being evaluated. While many Airmen rely on tuition assistance to develop their professional and private lives, other programs are available to fill the financial gap. MacDill Air Force Base's education center is ready to help Airmen figure out what their options are for continuing their educations while on active duty. Jacqueline DeRocco, 6th Force Support Squadron education and training chief, explained the programs available to Airmen and why they are important. "The biggest impact of TA being suspended for Airmen is probably that they are now being asked to use their Montgomery GI Bill while on active duty," said DeRocco. Education offices are recommending that Airmen first look into scholarships and grants, before using their GI Bill, said DeRocco. MacDill's education office offers guidance for those seeking scholarships and grants. There are many helpful websites available for Airmen and their families to explore ways to pay for college. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. There are also Federal Pell grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants and the Iraq and Afghanistan Service grants. Grants are usually based on need and scholarship requirements are decided by whomever administers the scholarship. Many other scholarships are available if people are willing to look for them, DeRocco said. Some national scholarship engines are www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, www.collegeboard.com, www.studentaid.ed.gov and www.blackexcel.org/link4.html. Military organizations offer scholarships like the Military Officers Association of America, Air Force Association, Air Force Aid Society and the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund. To ease the tuition burden on Airmen and their families, there is a Department of Defense program, the My Military Spouse Advancement Account or MyCAA, for spouses of E-1s through E-5s, W-1s and W-2s, and O-1s and O-2s. MyCAA offers up to $4,000 to spouses to use for degrees and other certificates that would make them marketable so that they have a better chance to secure employment. The state of Florida offers need-based grants called Florida Student Assistance Grant and the Florida Resident Access Grant which provide up to $2,100 per academic year to those attending private, independent colleges and universities in Florida. Airmen can take college-level tests through Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support and the College Level Examination Program. First attempts at CLEP tests are currently free. CLEP tests are designed to prove first-year college level knowledge so students can get credit for what they know, DeRocco explained. "You might be surprised to know that many high schools teach to the college level, giving Airmen a good chance at passing a test," said DeRocco. Many colleges accept CLEP test scores as credit toward a degree, but each school has different guidelines for what they accept, DeRocco said. Many Airmen have completed their CCAF degree with just Air Force courses and CLEP testing. Up to 30 credits from CLEP testing are accepted by CCAF toward the 64 needed for a CCAF degree. MacDill's education office provides a list of tests that fulfill the requirements for their CCAF degree, said DeRocco. There are study materials and sample tests available on-line at www.petersons.com/airforce. The base library also has study guides available. "If Airmen are looking for certifications there are many programs on Information Technology-e-learning and some are available through CCAF for certain Air Force Specialty Codes," said DeRocco. There are some very low cost programs with distance learning schools and through some colleges, said DeRocco. Air University also offers a free Cross-Cultural Communication course via distance learning that meets the requirements of a social science credit toward the CCAF degrees. Fred Learey Technical Center, on base, offers some continuing education courses. "The education office will be working closely with a Fred Learey representative to see if there is anything that they can offer either free or at a reduced rate, said DeRocco. MacDill's education office is working on putting together a comprehensive guide to financial aid and scholarships, DeRocco said. Airmen should go to the education office to discuss their education goals and get information on scholarships and grants, DeRocco said. Knowing all of the information is the first step to deciding what to do with benefits that are available to Airmen. DeRocco encourages everyone to attend the Post 9/11 GI Bill briefing each Thursday at 9 a.m. There are also briefings available to units whose Airmen find it difficult to attend the scheduled briefings. For more information on any program offered by the education office or general questions, the office can be contacted at education-02@us.af.mil. "The Air Force has reached a turning point after a decade of war and substantial growth in its operations and resources," Donley said. "This is an additional step the Air Force unfortunately had to take to operate within mandated budget limitations." Donley recognized that education strengthens the force and he said the Air Force continues to encourage Airmen to pursue their higher education.