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Air National Guardsmen would have a permanent federal tuition assistance program under a bipartisan bill introduced last week in the House.
Army Guard Soldiers have long had access to federal TA, but the Air Guard has only been authorized a limited trial program.
That would change under the Air Guard Standardizing Tuition Assistance to Unify the Services Act sponsored by Reps. Brad Finstad, R-Minn., Sam Graves, R-Mo., and Eric Sorensen, D-Ill.
The legislation would require the secretary of the Air Force to provide a permanent federal tuition assistance program for drill-status Air Guardsmen.
NGAUS strongly supports the bill.
“This legislation will ensure deserved benefits and recognition reach all DSG members of the National Guard who have answered the call to serve our great nation,” said Finstad in a press release.
“Our Airmen proudly serve our communities and our country, and they should have equal access to education benefits no matter where they live,” added Sorensen.
“The STATUS Act is about finally closing a gap that should’ve never existed. We value their service and investing in their education is one of the clearest ways to show it,” Graves said.
He added the bill would also help recruit, retain, and take care of the Airmen who keep our communities and our country safe.
Sens. John Hoeven, R-N.D., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., introduced similar legislation in the Senate earlier this year.
—By Michael Metz
