Due to the current fiscal challenges, the Army and Air Force have announced the suspension of the federal Tuition Assistance (TA) program, effective immediately. The announcement affects all Army and Air Force branches, including Iowa Army and Air National Guard Soldiers and Airmen.
While Soldiers and Airmen are not permitted to submit new requests for tuition assistance, those currently enrolled in courses approved for tuition assistance are allowed to complete their current enrollment and will receive federal Tuition Assistance benefits for that course.
Army and Air Force officials said this suspension is necessary, given the significant military spending cutbacks caused by the combined effects of a possible year-long continuing resolution and sequestration. Both services will re-evaluate their TA policy, should the budgetary situation improve.
Iowa National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are still eligible for state education benefits under the Iowa National Guard Education Assistance Program (NGEAP), which was created under Iowa law (see Iowa Code 2011 Section 261.86), funded entirely with State tax dollars, and available only to Iowa National Guard members. This program may pay up to 100 percent tuition at the Iowa Regents rate for Iowa public and private universities, colleges, and community colleges.
Iowa National Guard Soldiers and Airmen may also continue to pursue their educational goals with VA education benefits, if applicable, that include the Montgomery GI Bill, including Active Duty (Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), Reserve Education Assistance Program (Chapter 1607), the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and federal grants and other financial aid.
The Iowa National Guard Educational Assistance Grant provides annual grants to Iowa Guard members who attend Iowa colleges and universities. Thanks to the bipartisan support of the state Legislature, this grant is worth $6,658 per service member for the 2012-13 school year.
18 thoughts on “Sequester shuts down tuition assistance for Iowa Guard soldiers”
I heard that Obama’s kids are on their third paid vacation of the month at a fancy resort. How much of that money would go to help a soldier with his education.
I was unaware that Malia and Sasha had jobs.
Why would they need jobs when they can spend your money on anything they want.
Didn’t think you knew the concept of a “paid vacation”. I sure wish the ENTIRE government (not just the president) could have figured something out before the sequester kicked in. But please feel free to keep blaming ONE guy for something many are responsible for.
@Child Labor-Please feel free to keep making excuses for the worst president we have ever had.
Leave Bush out of this please.
Why would you want to blame Bush for the dictatorship of Obama?
You are a hateful spiteful ignorant racist dipstick. I would be embarassed to have you for a relative.
@anonymous-Hey troll-didn’t your mother tell you that you are my bastard child?
@anonymous-that is the Liberals answer to everything, call someone a racist when you don’t even know the meaning of the word. You always resort to that to try to divert the conversation. Stupid is as Stupid does and you are STUPID.
How about we take congress’ paychecks to pay for this until they can pull their heads out of their ass.
Glad Obama was able to squeeze his golf vacation with Tiger in before sequester hit. Priorities.
The government made promises to these service people and they should stick to those promises. There are lots of other areas they could cut back on. Try cutting Obama’s golf outings and his family vacations.You could fund a lot of tuition’s with that.
I was in the middle of applying for the G.I. bill to go back to school. Looks like I won’t be finishing that application.
It’s only one option they are cutting; looks like many more available including the G.I. bill.
well Obama did tell his staff to make sure this sequester hurts
The working man spent 1/100 of a penny for this. He spent $36,000 cold hard cash on the Iraq war.
The working man does not know how to handle his money, that’s clear.
Looks like the social boys/girls just put the burden on the state and keep their high paid cyprus jobs. – Thanks alot and for the new obamma high cost healthcare to pay for the illeagels in this country – not to hard to see through this pass the buck to the working man.