Wing education and training spotlights educational benefits

  • Published
  • By SrA. Kelly Galloway
  • 439th Airlift Wing
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  Going back to school can be difficult without the added stress of trying to find the best-suited benefit to meet your educational needs. The military offers several programs to support your education goals such as Tuition Assistance and the Montgomery GI Bill.

The Air Force Reserve Tuition Assistance Program is available to eligible members of the reserve force. Tuition Assistance reimburses up to $250 per credit hour, and $4,500 per fiscal year for tuition paid towards an eligible degree. The Montgomery GI Bill, on the other hand, which includes the Selective Reserve GI Bill, Active Duty GI Bill, Post-9/11 GI Bill, Veterans Educational Assistance Program, and Reserve Educational Assistance Program, can provide thousands of dollars in education benefits paid for through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The various GI Bills can be used towards college degrees, certifications, and licensures.

So which one is the best to use for your specific circumstance?

The wing education and training office staff helps clear up some misinformation on two popular benefits, Air Force Reserve Tuition Assistance and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Q: Who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

Those who have served 90 days of active duty on or after Sept 11, 2001. Ratings vary from 40 to 100 percent based on how much cumulative active duty time a member has.This generally does not include your initial active duty for training time.

Q: Who is eligible for Air Force Reserve Tuition Assistance?

Any participating member of the Air Force Reserve in good standing is eligible for tuition assistance. This is regardless of their enlistment length or commission status.

Q: What can I use tuition assistance for?

Air Force Reserve Tuition Assistance can be used for your first associate's, bachelors, and master's degree and reimburses tuition up to $250 per credit hour regardless of enrollment status. You may use TA for your Community College of the Air Force degree no matter how many degrees you currently have. However, the school you're attending must have a memorandum of understanding on file with the Department of Defense in order for you to receive reimbursement. If you are interested in using TA, check the listing on the DOD Voluntary Education Partnership website; WWW.dodmou.com/InstitutionList.aspx to ensure your school has a current MOU on file.

Q: I'm a traditional reservist with no active-duty time, what portion of the Post-9/11 GI Bill would I qualify for?

You would not quality for any portion of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Nevertheless, you may still qualify for the Selective Reserve GI Bill as long as you have a six-year enlistment in the Reserve.

Q: I heard that certain states grant veterans a tuition waiver. Do New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts colleges grant them? How can I find out what colleges offer tuition waivers?

Yes, many states offer a tuition waiver for veterans that can be applied their states' public colleges and universities including Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. The waiver eligibility varies from state to state. Contact your local city or state veterans services office or a veteran's representative at your school for more information. Private colleges and universities may also offer their own discounts to service members. You may take advantage of a state tuition waiver or private school tuition discount in conjunction with any military education benefit.

Q: Can I use tuition assistance AND the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the same time?

You cannot use two federal benefits at the same time for the same courses. If you are taking a full-time course load under a GI Bill and would like to take additional courses, you can then use tuition assistance. Keep in mind, the additional courses can in no way influence your GI Bill benefit. You can also switch back and forth from a GI Bill and TA from semester to semester. This is common among students who take advantage of winter break sessions and summer courses.

Q: When using the Post-9/11, how does the money get paid to the school?

Your college/university bursar bills the VA directly. If you are below a 100 percent rating your school will bill you the difference. You will need to be in contact with your school's VA representative throughout your academic career to certify courses and attendance.

Q: When using TA, how does the money get paid to the school?

Air Force Reserve TA is an agreement between the service member and the Air Force Reserve. The Air Force reimburses the member directly after completion of a course. It is up to the service member to pay all costs to the school up front.

Q: Can I use either the Post-9/11 or TA and pursue online classes only?

Either benefit, TA or Post-9/11, can be used for distance learning programs.

Q: How do I apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and how long does the process take to receive the necessary forms for my school?

The Post-9/11 application process is done 100 percent online through the VA website, WWW.ebenefits.va.gov. This process takes about three months for approval. Members should apply for Post-9/11 at least one semester before expected enrollment.

Q: How do I apply for TA?

After completing a short briefing with a technician from wing training, you may apply for TA on the Air Force Virtual Education Center. This is linked from the Air Force portal.

Q: If I'm going to use the Post-9/11 bill, how much money will I receive for books and housing allowance?

If you rate at 100 percent, the book stipend is $1000 per academic year. The housing allowance is based on the zip code of the college or university being attended. This housing allowance is equal an E-5 with dependent's rate regardless of a service members' rank. If you are 100 percent online, Post-9/11 will only pay half the national average for the monthly housing allowance portion of the benefit. This amounts to $684 monthly at the 100 percent rate.If you rate less than 100 percent, benefits paid correspond with the percentage tier.

Q: How can you allow your spouse or children to use your education benefits?

You may transfer your Post -9/11 education benefits to your spouse and/or children under the age of 23. In order to transfer you must complete six years of service and agree to a service commitment of four years after the date of transfer. To transfer unused months, visit the "transfer of education benefits" website at www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect. You'll need to visit the wing training office to complete your four-year reserve service statement of understanding.

Q: When should I transfer my education benefits to my family?

You should transfer benefits to eligible family members as soon as possible. Some exemptions exist for the service commitment for those who are already eligible for retirement. However, all of these exceptions expire Aug. 1.
The Westover Wing Education and Training office highly encourages anybody considering going back to school to stop by and re-evaluate their benefits. Montgomery GI Bills criteria changes frequently and can be very confusing. Additionally there are many local and national scholarship opportunities out there for military members and their families.

The office staff can be reached through their org inbox 439fss.eductraining@us.af.mil
and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestoverWingEducationandTraining