Military Tuition Assistance Suspension Sparks Uproar From Service Members, Lawmakers

While many in Washington continue to obsess over the fact that White House tours are being canceled due to sequestration's budget cuts, service members around the country have a much bigger concern -- the end of a program providing them with tuition assistance to further their education.

The Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and Marines have all suspended their Tuition Assistance (TA) programs, while the Navy is still reviewing its options, according to the Defense Department. G.I. Bill benefits will still be available; those are intended for veterans, although active-duty members can still use them.

Several lawmakers are stepping in and trying to help out. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) wrote to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Tuesday and urged him to reconsider the decision.

"Tuition Assistance ... enhances the professionalism of the Active, Guard, and Reserve forces by helping servicemembers more fully develop their skills, serves as an important tool to retain them in the military, and prepares those who choose to leave the military for a successful transition into the civilian workforce," wrote Hagan.

Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), meanwhile, introduced a bill on Monday to restore funding to TA programs by cutting foreign aid to Egypt. Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-Okla.) also intends to introduce an amendment that would reverse the suspension, according to his office. Hagan plans on cosponsoring that provision.

The TA programs are incredibly popular. In fiscal year 2012, for example, 201,000 soldiers took advantage of the Army's TA program. It provided $373 million, helping 2,831 soldiers earn associate degrees, 4,495 earn bachelor degrees and 1,946 earn graduate degrees.

Pentagon spokeswoman Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde said the TA program was "important to the department and our service members" but declined to comment on Hagan's letter, noting that Hagel responds directly to correspondence he receives.

She added the services' decision came after the Pentagon comptroller issued guidance last week recommending that the military consider significant funding reductions in the TA program due to the current budget environment.

While service members currently enrolled in programs will not be affected, they will not be able to submit new requests for tuition assistance moving forward. The change has been a blow to members of the military around the country.