New requirements for tuition assistance Published Dec. 7, 2011 By Capt. Karen Mock Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- A first-of-its-kind Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding was recently released by the Office of the Secretary of Defense for guidance on military tuition assistance. Effective Jan. 1, 2012, the Department of Defense will require all academic institutions participating in the military TA program to have a signed DoD Voluntary Education Partnership MOU on file with DoD. "You, as a student, will have to do nothing. The DoD and the Air Force have made this requirement known to all participating schools. Just be aware your school must have a signed MOU on file before TA can be issued," said Cyntoria Raye, Air Force Global Strike Command education operations branch chief. Students can contact their academic institution to verify their school's participation, or visit www.dodmou.com for a list of approved MOUs. Students who choose to attend non-participating institutions must find alternate payment methods. "The increase in the number of institutions receiving military TA has created a need to provide appropriate oversight of the program," Raye said. The policy applies to all institutions, accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and enrolling active duty military members, using DoD military TA dollars, to assist in the payment of their education. This includes schools operating on and off military bases and institutions delivering courses through various modalities to include classroom instruction and distance education. The MOU ensures all educational providers understand and agree to abide by DoD's policies prior to enrolling servicemembers into their institution. It articulates the commitment and agreement educational institutions provide to the DoD by accepting funds via the services' TA programs in exchange for educational services. It also permits institutions with signed MOUs to participate in the program. Schools signing the MOU after Jan. 1, 2012 will be able to receive funding only for courses that begin on or after that date. Academic institutions that do not have a signed MOU by the deadline will not receive military TA funds. Military tuition assistance has been a part of the voluntary education program for over 60 years. It continues to be critical to the Department of Defense's commitment to the personal and professional development of military personnel. It consistently has had a positive impact on recruitment, job performance, and retention.