According to an interview in the 25 Aug 03 edition of the Air Force Crimes--I mean Air Force Times--CMSAF Murray says 100% TA isn't gonna last much longer. The weakened economy has caused rentention rates to increase, which means the military has less of an incentive to offer high bonuses and educational benefits. In the article, he states that so many people are using TA that is it "breaking the bank". I guess more people than expected are reaching their $4500 per year cap. AF Times is not known for it's accuracy in recording people's comments and is seen as a tabloid in some circles. But I won't be surprised if this particular story is true. Wonder how it will affect my cost-free Touro studies...
If T/A is designed for recruiting and retention, then adjustments to it are a natural function of market forces. If T/A is designed for professional devleopment, then it is a mistake and they shouldn't reduce it. I suspect the former, not the latter. When I was on active duty in the Air Force, NCO's received 100% T/A; the rest of the force received 75%. No maximum. The cap wasn't introduced until right before I retired, and it was a cap on the maximum amount of tuition per credit, not a yearly maximum. Touro and other schools might react by offering "scholarships" (tuition breaks) to active military on T/A, thus reducing--or eliminating--out-of-pocket tuition costs. It's been done.
In the past... In the early to mid 80's the US Army offered 90% TA to NCOs. Then a budget crunch hit that reduced it to 75% and even that was limited. Then they removed it for graduate studies for all but junior officers. The lesson here? When funds are tight they will cut TA. Don't delay your studies if don't have to.
100% TA? I don't think the Corps (or Navy) ever had that . It has always been 75%, but now you can top it off with your GI Bill, I believe. Best Regards, Bill
The Navy does have 100% TA. However the Navy did place a 12 semester hour, per fiscal year, cap on TA. "Effective 01 October 2002 Navy Tuition Assistance pays 100% of tuition and required fees charged by educational institutions for course enrollments, with caps, stipulations and limits. payment for tuition and fees will not exceed the following caps: $250.00 per semester hour $166.67 per quarter hour $16.67 per clock hour $166.67 per Continuing Education Unit (CEU) TA funds will not be used to purchase books. There is a fiscal year credit limit of 12 Semester Hours, 18 Quarter Hours, 180 Clock Hours or 18 CEUs per individual." https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/ta1.html
for USAF NCO's... don't forget you are authorized 7 Grand in TA for "certification". I produced a state of Montana guide to teacher certification and got approval to use additional TA for a DL program leading to Library/media certification post M Ed. I'm saving my VA/MGIB for my PhD/DA/Ed D/D... whatever I decide on. The USAF educational benifits are great as long as you can stay out of the desert long enough to use some of them...
I experienced the same thing. My first two years was pretty easy, as we were garrison. My second two years was tough because we were always deployed. It's hard to take a college class when you're living in a tent in the middle of nowhere with no telephone, TV or computer.
