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Important Notice: Potential Government Shutdown Impact on Military Tuition Assistance

Last Updated: March 13, 2025

Greetings Service Members,

We want to inform you about a potential government shutdown that may affect your military Tuition Assistance (TA) benefits.

What’s Happening

If Congress does not pass a budget or Continuing Resolution by March 14, 2025, military TA funding will be impacted as follows:

  • For Army Personnel: ACCESS will begin canceling TA requests starting on March 14, 2025, at 2359 UTC (1959 EDT) for courses with March 15, 2025 start dates, with daily cancellations continuing throughout the shutdown.
  • For Air Force Personnel: The Department of the Air Force will be unable to obligate (pay) any funding for Military or Civilian Tuition Assistance (TA) for courses that begin during the shutdown period until an appropriations bill or CR is approved. Retroactive TA funding is not guaranteed.
  • For Navy, Marine Corps, & Coast Guard Personnel (Navy College Program): TA funding under the current Continuing Resolution (CR) will end on March 14, 2025. If a shutdown occurs, TA funding will not be available for any class starts during the shutdown period, and retroactive funding is not guaranteed. Even if your TA was previously approved, you may still experience delays in funding.

What This Means for You:

  • Courses with start dates during the shutdown period may not receive TA funding.
  • Retroactive funding for courses that begin during the shutdown is not guaranteed.
  • Previously approved TA request may still experience payment delays due to the shutdown.
  • You may be financially responsible for course costs if TA funds are not made available.

DSU’s Support Plan

The DSU Military/Veterans Services team is here to support you during this period. We understand this situation is beyond your control. Our office is working with Student Accounts to prevent holds on student accounts affected by TA payment delays during the shutdown period.

Recommended Actions

  • Stay informed: Updates will be posted here, and you are encouraged to consult your Education & Training Center for further guidance.
  • Contact our office immediately if your course starts on or after March 15, 2025.
  • Work with your academic advisor and our dedicated military academic advisor to discuss possible options for your courses
  • Review DSU’s Drop Policy and withdrawal deadlines
  • Explore alternative funding options with external resources should you decide to continue with your courses that start on or after March 15, 2025.

Special Advising Team

We have established a dedicated team to assist you during this time:

  •  Amy Kellen, Military and Transfer Advisor | akellen [at] desu.edu
  • Lolita Treadwell (LT), Director, DSU DAFB | ltreadwell [at] esu.edu
  • Devon G. Wilson, Director of Veteran Affairs | dgwilson [at] desu.edu

You may also contact:

  • DSU Dover Air Force Base Education Office
  • Phone: 302.857.6522
  • Email: dafb [at] desu.edu

We will update this information as new developments occur. Thank you for your service and your commitment to your education. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this situation together.