The Air Force and the Coast Guard have joined the Army and Marine Corps in suspending tuition assistance programs. At this time, only the Navy has not yet suspended tuition assistance.
The Air Force announcement was made on today but it actually stopped accepting new enrollments at 1700 on Monday, 12 March 2013. Airman may complete their currently approved courses but will not receive any new funding until the program resumes. It is anticipated that the suspension will extend at least through the end of this fiscal year, 30 September 2013.
Tuition assistance programs cost the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps approximately $550 million each year. The suspension of funding for the rest of the fiscal year will result in a savings of approximately $275 million.
The Coast Guard decision to suspend new enrollments for tuition assistance was communicated internally and has already taken effect.
