Military veterans face losing tuition assistance

If SFA fails to sign an agreement with the Department of Defense (DoD), some military veterans could lose tuition assistance.

The agreement is the “DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding between the DoD office under the Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and Stephen F. Austin State University.”

“SFA is currently in the process of completing the application and executing the agreement,” Damon Derrick, SFA general council, said. SFA has been reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding since 2011 and must sign the agreement by March 1, or the institution will be unable to participate in the DoD Tuition Assistance program. 

The tuition assistance program allows payment of 100 percent of education costs for service members up to $250 per credit hour and $4,500 per year. Application and graduation fees are not covered by the program. Each military branch has different specifications and rules for tuition payment or reimbursement. 

“Many colleges and universities throughout the country had concerns over (the memorandum’s) provisions,” Derrick said. 

Carolyn Hardy, assistant director of admissions, said the agreement is completely separate from the Montgomery GI Bill VA Benefits. Hardy is one of the two School Certifying Officials for these benefits. 

For more information about the agreement and for a list of universities that have already signed it, visit www.dodmou.com.