TA available for Airmen Published Jan. 18, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Whitney Jackson Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Nellis Air Force Base has the largest education office in the Air Force. In 2011 alone, Nellis Airmen received five million dollars to use as tuition assistance. "We encourage all active duty members to use their tuition assistance while they are still serving," said Alice Patton, 99th Force Support Squadron chief of education and training. "For most people, it's better to use their tuition assistance before they have to use their GI bill and that's what we help them do." The TA program has two new regulations that took affect shortly after the new year began. As of Jan. 6, 2012, students can now apply for tuition assistance 60 days from the start date of their class. Walk-ins are still accepted anytime for last minute applications. The second regulation deals with students' grades. After undergraduate students have completed 15 semester hours, or the program's equivalent, they must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, on a 4.0 grading scale, to continue receiving tuition assistance. For graduate studies students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher based on a 4.0 grading scale. Failure to maintain the required GPA will result in denial of TA, which means students must pay for courses on their own until their GPA meets the required levels as mentioned in the Air Force Instruction 26-2306, 5.1.6. "To get college credit and have it be able to transfer, you need to be in good standing," Patton said. "Getting a "D" in a class won't transfer to other schools. Certain requirements are set because we have to be prudent with the Air Force's money." To apply for TA, students should go to the Air Force portal, visit the Virtual Education Site and submit their application. Once submitted, the education office has 72 hours to approve or deny the request and respond to the applicant. For more information about the Tuition Assistance program at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., contact Alice Patton at 702-652-5281.
