After the Air Force Tuition Assistance Program was suspended March 1, University veterans using the program have to switch to other assistance options before the end of this semester. 

The TA program was established to give active-duty military members a chance to continue their education after service by allowing the military to pay up to 100 percent of their tuition. The suspension was likely caused by pressure coming from the Department of Defense to reduce spending on the program, said Nick Osborne, assistant dean and veteran student support services coordinator. 

The Army and Marine Corps already suspended their TA programs after sequestration, or automatic budget cuts, had taken place. The program has $85 billion in federal spending cuts that went into effect in March.

Osborne said three or four student veterans at the University received benefits from the program. 

“Most veterans here are primarily using the Post 9/11 GI bill, the Montgomery GI bill or the Illinois Veterans Grant,” Osborne said. “This means that a handful of students here will not be affected with the suspension of the TA program. For those that are, we can see if they are eligible for other benefits and get them on those benefits.”

Students who are enrolled in the program have the chance to switch to the other programs provided to them. 

Tina Anderson, the accounts receivable specialist of USFSCO, said students who are on the program will receive its benefits through the spring. 

With the suspension of the program, Osborne said he does not expect to see any changes in the number of students who join the Air Force because they will still be given the ability to use the 9/11 GI bill, which Osborne said also gives out relatively the same benefits as the TA program. He said most student veterans use the 9/11 GI bill as opposed to the other programs.

Ellen Frost, Student Financial Aid administrator, said she is disappointed to see the suspension of this program. 

“I believe those that do service for us in the military deserve to be paid for what they have done,” Frost said. “Their payment should include an education.”

Osborne said that while few University students will be affected by the cut, veterans at other schools may not be as lucky. 

“Other schools might have more students using the TA program, and therefore the suspension might be more severe for them,” he said. “I hope that their students will have enough resources needed to graduate and that they are taking this issue seriously.”

Atoosa can be reached at [email protected].