Despite TA cuts, education continues Published March 12, 2013 By 2nd Lt. Earon Brown 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- March 11 at 5 p.m., marked the date and time that the Air Force officially cut tuition assistance for its active-duty Airmen. While Airmen have previously been able to make use of up to 100 percent tuition assistance coverage, the program has been cut until the end of the fiscal year. However, other means are still being offered to Airmen as far as pursuing their Community College of the Air Force degree, in addition to their bachelor's and master's degrees. The response of the Shaw Education Center and its partner schools has been to ensure that Airmen continue to have the resources and information needed to continue their academic pursuits. "We're very concerned about Airmen trying to finish their CCAF degrees," said Donald Ellwood, 20th Force Support Squadron chief of education and training. "Many Airmen are very close; within a class or two. We're leaning on our national test center to pick up their pace with the CLEP testing." The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) was developed by the College Board, and according to their website, the exams test students on their mastery of college-level material that they have acquired through academic study, independent study or extracurricular work. "CLEP and DANTES test will cover all of the general education requirements for a CCAF degree," continued Ellwood. "There are some degree specific CLEPs they can take as well. I think if Airmen begin to CLEP more often or CLEP more classes, they may be able to finish their CCAF without using any TA money or accessing their GI Bill." For those who are currently enrolled in classes through the use of tuition assitance, this current semester will not be affected, only those that follow. "Fortunately for a lot of the students that are in classes now, their tuition assistance is already approved," said Jim Shrift, Central Carolina Technical College military programs coordinator. "The folks in the next (summer) semester are the ones who are going to be affected by it because you can't apply for TA unless you're 60 days out... those are the individuals who need to be actively doing a (transfer) into a program of study." For students who have a concern for paying for their tuition with a college, Shrift recommends transferring to a program of study instead of being a career development or transient student and filling out the Free Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA. FAFSA is a product of Federal Student Aid which is a division under the U.S. Department of Education. According to the organizations website, it is the largest provider of financial aid in the nation for prospective students. While funds from FAFSA are not guaranteed, it is a good place to start when looking for assistance in paying tuition and can lead to other means of academic funding. Applying with the FAFSA makes one eligible to receive Pell Grants and other loans, said Shrift. Should they be denied FAFSA money or Pell Grant money, residents of South Carolina are automatically eligible for what's called "lottery money." Lottery money pays for part of tuition, and in order to receive it you must have at least six credit hours, be in a program of study and have been denied Pell money, Shrift added. In the weeks leading up to yesterday's official announcement, the Shaw Education Center and partnering universities have been preparing for ramifications of tuition assistance being suspended for the Air Force. In some cases, that would also mean continuing to put forward information for funding education that has been readily available. "We've always had a list of local and national grants, loans, financial aid benefits, websites and scholarships that we've maintained here at the education center and given out," Ellwood added. "We're also very versed in active-duty personnel accessing their GI Bill benefits. We're all over the Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI Bills procedures to sign up for it and to use it on active duty." While tuition assistance has been cut for the timing being, Airmen at Shaw will still be able to pursue their educational goals through the education center. "What I foresee in the short run is an increase in folks coming in needing counseling, needing academic help and were certainly available for that," said Ellwood. "It can be done. We can help. Contact us for strategies to help you complete your CCAF." "An education is so important that if you have to put some skin into the game, it is so worth it," Shrift concluded. "We've been very fortunate that the Air Force has been able to provide 100 percent tuition assistance over these past few years... Don't give up that dream just because there's been a change. Find another way to do it." For more information on pursuing a CCAF or civilian degree, contact the base education center at (803) 895-1838. For more information on the FAFSA visit http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm.