Bonamici/Walden Amendment Questions Changes in Tuition Assistance Benefits for Soldiers

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Congressman Greg Walden amended the National Defense Authorization Act with provisions that will require the Army to reassess a recent change to its tuition assistance program—a program that helps soldiers cover the cost of enrolling in off-duty classes.

Starting in January 2014, the Army now imposes a waiting period of one year after initial training before tuition assistance is available. This waiting period applies to all soldiers, but it may disproportionately affect members of the Army National Guard.

“Soldiers join the National Guard to serve their country, and in many cases, they choose the National Guard because they want to balance service with civilian careers or post-secondary education,” Congresswoman Bonamici said. “The delay in tuition assistance means that non-prior service soldiers in the National Guard, some of whom attend college full-time during their service, will have to wait at least a year and perhaps longer before they receive educational assistance.”

The Bonamici/Walden amendment asks the Secretary of the Army to report to Congress on how the change to tuition assistance is affecting soldiers in the National Guard.

“Our country relies on these soldiers during natural disasters and other crises,” Congresswoman Bonamici said. “Citizen soldiers enhance our communities and complement our active-duty force. We are all well-served when these soldiers can pursue professional growth opportunities and education programs without delay or financial hardship. Soldiers should not be forced to struggle while they pursue their education and serve their country.”

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