Citing budgetary constraints that stem from the recent and steep cuts under sequestration, both the Army and Marine Corps are canceling their tuition-assistance programs. Soldiers now taking classes using tuition assistance will not be affected. However, the service is accepting no new tuition-assistance requests. If and when the economic climate improves, the Army may resume tuition assistance. The Marine Corps canceled tuition assistance outright once sequestration took effect in early March. The two services regard tuition assistance, which allows service members to take college courses while on active duty, as expendable for the sake of maintaining forward operations. The Navy and Air Force are considering similar actions. Service members who wish to continue their education are being told to use their G.I. Bill benefits as an alternative to tuition assistance.
