Encourage Congress to make Military TA a Funded program and force the USCG to have the same TA as other services.

This FY, the Coast Guard (CG) has cut Tuition Assistance (TA) by lowering the percentage of TA paid to 75% with a $2500 Annual Cap. All other services remain at 100% TA with a $4500 cap. The CG has said this is because TA funds come from discretionary funding and they chose not to fully fund the program. This has long been an issue. When sequestration took effect all services cut TA. Congress restored funding for TA and all service except the CG restored their full program. Even with full funding restored, the CG would only allow those in pay-grades E-6 and below TA. We petition you to encourage Congress to create a separate funding for TA that services branches cannot use as a “slush fund” and require all services (including the CG) to offer the same educational benefits.