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TA for Air Force Civilians

This factsheet provides an overview of the Civilian Tuition Assistance (CTAP) program, however you are encouraged to review AFI 36-401, Employee Training and Development and AFMAN 36-606, Civilian Career Field Management and Development for additional information. The 514 Wing Training office does not process Civilian TA request. If you have any questions, please contact the appropriate CTAP CFT through myPers at https://mypers.af.mil/app/categories/c/549/p/2

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Policy:

  • The goal of CTAP is to assist civilians in their continued self-development and includes coursework at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s (including Juris Doctorate), and doctorate levels at an accredited college or university and listed in DoD Memorandum of Understanding (www.dodmou.com) directory.

  • Tuition Assistance (TA) is to be used for course(s) that contribute to occupational and institutional competencies, special interest needs and readiness by supporting the current and future needs of the Air Force.

  • Available to Air Force permanent full-time appropriated fund employees, excluding Palace Acquire Interns, Copper Cap Interns, and employees assigned to Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) coded positions.

    • If APDP coded position employee is seeking Doctorate level coursework, they are eligible for CTAP.

  • TA is available for two (2) courses per semester/quarter. There is no limitation on the number of credit-by-exam test.

  • TA can be used for up to 75% of tuition cost, but may not exceed $250.00 per semester hour or $166.00 per quarter hour and $4,500 per fiscal year. The student is responsible for remaining cost.

  • TA can be used for 100% of credit-by-exam fees at an on-base and/or fully funded testing centers

  • TA does not pay professional certification fees, charges related to accrediting work or life experiences or examination fees for: Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), Graduate Records Examination (GRE), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Standard Achievement Test (SAT) or Admissions College Test (ACT)

  • TA is not provided, in whole or in part, for courses for which the employee is receiving other federal or state tuition subsidies such as Veterans Administration educational benefits, scholarships or grants, etc.

    • TA can be used in conjunction with student loans

  • CTAP is not an entitlement or condition of employment; Past approved TA does not guarantee future funding

  • TA funding does not apply to courses at a level lower or equal to a degree already attained by the applying member

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Responsibilities:

  • Must ensure your personal data is updated in AFVEC and CTAP annual training is completed

  • Must ensure Bachelor’s Degree is updated in MILPDS if requesting TA for a Master’s degree.

    • If not updated, school must mail an official transcript to FSDE address found in STEP 4 of application process

  • Must update Supervisor contact information in the “Supervisor” block on the AFVEC site.

    • Course is employee-initiated self-development & will normally be taken on off-duty basis. Courses may be taken during duty hours subject to supervisor approval, AFI 36-815, Absence and Leave, paragraph 10.11.4

    • Supervisors validate that there is no derogatory information, unsatisfactory progress in training, or changes in duty that would impede the employee from successful completion of the course using TA

  • Must submit an education goal and upload an officially evaluated degree plan prior to requesting CTAP

  • Submit funding Requests NLT 7 days prior to class start date. Allow 3-5 days for processing by the appropriate CTAP CFT.

  • Must successfully complete courses funded by CTAP within timelines documented on the TA Funding Request.

    • Successful course completion is defined as a grade of "C" or higher for undergraduate courses, a "B" or higher for graduate courses, and a "P" (or equivalent) for "Pass/Fail" grades.

  • Maintain GPA of 2.0 or above after 15 SHs for undergrad courses & 3.0 or above after 6 SHs for graduate courses.

  • Must review the AFVEC Enrollment History to ensure school updates grades within 60 days from course end date.

  • Must process Reimbursement Actions at the AFVEC for unacceptable and/or overdue grades.

  • Immediately report all incompletes and cancellations to CTAP via myPers. Individual(s) with outstanding TA reimbursement(s) obligations are denied future TA approval until full reimbursement has occurred or waiver has been approved.

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