Elmendorf Spouse Tuition Assistance Program

Alaska qualifies as an overseas location making Air Force Aid Society's
Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) available for spouses of active duty airmen and officers who accompany Air Force members to Elmendorf. STAP provides partial tuition assistance for degree or certificate programs. Spouses of federally activated Title 10 reservists on extended active duty and meeting all other program requirements are also eligible. Title 10 status must cover period of application and the entire school term for which funding is requested.

The program provides tuition assistance at a rate not to exceed 50 percent of the tuition charged per course, with a maximum of $1,500 per academic year. STAP may be used in conjunction with other aid, such as Pell Grants, scholarships, and Veterans Administration Benefits.

ELIGIBILITY

Students:
Students must be the spouse of an active duty Air Force member or Title 10 reserivist on extended active duty.  Active duty spouses must be command sponsored. Students must have submitted a completed Spouse Tuition Assistance application to the Base Education Office (4109 Bullard Ave., Ste 202) in accordance with local procedures prior to the application deadline. Include a copy of the service member's LES and ensure service member as well as the applicant has signed the application.

College:
Students must be enrolled in an accredited program leading to the completion of a certificate or degree, which enhances employment opportunities. Students must be enrolled in an academic program that has been approved by HQ AFAS and the Education Center. Although there are several college opportunities in Alaska not all schools have contracts or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements with the Department of the Air Force Education Services or received prior approval for inclusion in STAP funding. Unfortunately, we are unable to allow spouse tuition assistance for participation in those programs. STAP is not available for correspondence courses offered through any program.

Class:
Students must receive academic credit for courses which are funded by STAP. Students must maintain a grade of "C" or better for undergraduate courses and a "B" or better in graduate courses. Students must reimburse the AFAS for those classes in which they fail to meet the grade requirements before they are eligible for consideration for additional STAP. Students who withdraw or fail to complete a class, i.e. receive a letter grade "I", must reimburse STAP funds received. However, students withdrawing or not receiving a minimum grade of "C" ("B" for graduates) because of death/medical reasons within the immediate family, or because of Air Force actions beyond their control (i.e. Active Duty Spouse TDY, unforeseen PCS, or shift change), and having a direct impact on their ability to successfully complete course, may be eligible for a repayment waiver of funds retained by their school and continue to receive STAP funding.

Other Information:
Maximum awards per term will vary by school to accommodate the term schedules. The maximum award cannot exceed 1/2 of the unmet tuition costs (fees cannot be paid with STAP money). The maximum awards (and approved schools) are listed as follows for the Elmendorf AFB area.

School / Number of terms / Max award
Central Texas College / 5 / $300.00
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University / 5 / $300.00
Matanuska-Susitna College / 3 / $500.00
University of Alaska Anchorage / 3 / $500.00
Wayland Baptist University / 4 / $375.00

You are eligible for STAP assistance even if you receive funding from other sources, such as Pell grants, FASA, VA benefits, and scholarships. However, other funding must be subtracted from the total cost of tution, (Including classes taken during the term that are not listed on your STAP application.) The STAP
funding awarded is limited to 1/2 of the difference not to exceed the funding you are eligible for.

How do I apply for STAP?
Individuals wishing to participate must submit a completed application for STAP to the Elmendorf Education Services Office during the appropriate registration period. This application will be either approved or disapproved by the STAP Committee, which is the final authority for granting TA under this program. Submission of an application does not guarantee tuition assistance for the applicant.

When can I apply for STAP?
The Education Services Office has set aside specific time frames for each term for application submission. Applications will not be accepted outside of the specific time frames. There are normally five terms in the academic year, with the specific term determined by the course start date. The term and course start date is listed below:

Term Start Date:

I August, September
II October, November, December
III January
IV February, March, April
V May, June, July

The seven local schools where STAP can be used have the following term schedules:

School / Terms
Central Texas College / I, II, III, IV, V
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University / I, II, III, IV, V
Matanuska-Susitna College / I, III, V
University of Alaska Anchorage / I, III, V
Wayland Baptist University / I, II, IV, V

What basic criteria determines my need for STAP?
STAP is based on what degree level you are pursuing and financial need. High School, certification programs, and undergraduate degrees have first priority to STAP money. Masters' degrees and pre-requisites for masters' degrees will be funded only if excess money is available. Duplicate degrees are not funded. Once evaluated for degree level, applicants are ranked on a need priority basis by adjusted income computation. Adjusted income is calculated by adding the following: active duty military sponsor's monthly base pay as verified from current LES, one half the monthly income earned by the spouse and/or sponsor's off-duty part-time employment, less $100 monthly deduction for each dependent child.

EXAMPLE:
Active duty military sponsor's monthly base pay: $1,700
Plus half of spouse's monthly income: ($1,500/2) + 750
Plus half of sponsor's monthly part-time income: ($500/2) + 250
Minus deduction for dependent children
($100 per month per child) (2 children) - 200
Equals adjusted monthly income for STAP application $2,500

Furthermore, STAP is divided into officer and enlisted spouse groups, with the division correlated by percentage. Currently, enlisted members sponsor 85% of the spouses on base and 15% are sponsored by officers. Consequently, the initial allocation of STAP is made on an 85% / 15% split. If there are not enough members in either of the groups, the excess funds may be released to remaining members of the other group.

Can I use other financial aid?
STAP can be used in conjunction with other financial aid (i.e., Pell Grant, VA benefits, Stafford Grant, scholarships). However, students can only be given 50% of tuition not covered by other financial assistance. This does not include loans, which can also be used (including the Stafford Loan).

Can I use STAP at more than one school at a time?
STAP can only be used at one school per term. STAP only pays tuition expenses; it does not include lab, registration, student parking, and activity fees, or books. Remember, an application must be submitted every term.

Who reviews applications and awards STAP?
After initial processing by the Education Services Office, the STAP application is forwarded to the STAP Scholarship Committee, which consists of a representative nominated by:

3rd Mission Support Group Commander
Education Services Officer (ESO)
Air Force Aid Society Officer
Family Support Center Director
Education Superintendent
Spouse Tuition Assistance Coordinator

The Chairman of the Committee is the ESO or his representative. The committee meets every term to review all applications. The committee's decisions are final and may not be appealed

Are specific grades required to maintain eligibility?
Individuals receiving STAP must receive a grade of "C" ("B" for graduate courses) for all courses funded by this program to maintain eligibility. STAP does not pay for auditing courses. Grades will be verified with the school each term.

What happens if I don't satisfactorily finish the course?
Normally, students failing to complete a course satisfactorily, i.e., less than "C" ("B" for graduate) grade, incomplete, withdrawal, or an "AU", will be required to reimburse the Air Force Aid Society. Program eligibility will cease until reimbursement has been made. At the end of each term, a letter will be sent to applicants who did not satisfactorily complete their course(s). They will have 30 days to contact the Education Services Office. After this time, the sponsor will be sent a letter. If no action has been taken after another 30 days, the sponsor's commander will be notified.

Can I apply for a waiver for reimbursement?
A waiver may be granted on reimbursement, if a course is not completed due to actions beyond student control (i.e., active duty spouse extended TDY, PCS, or shift change, family emergency, death/medical reasons). Appropriate documentation must accompany all waiver requests. Waiver requests will be forwarded to the STAP Scholarship Committee, whose decisions are final.

PLEASE NOTE: All applications must be filled out using the on-line application only.  Application acceptance dates are subject to change.

APPLICATION SCHEDULE - ACADEMIC YEAR
2009-2010
he Air Force Aid Society Spouse Tuition Assistance Program year is from
1 Aug XX through 30 Jul XX

STAP TERM

TERM START DATE

FIRST DATE
TO SUBMIT APPLICATION

LAST DATE
TO SUBMIT
APPLICATION

I 

Aug/Sep/Oct
 

21 Jul 09

4 Aug 09

II 

Nov/Dec   

14 Oct 09

28 Oct 09

III 

January 

2 Dec 09

16 Dec 09

IV 

Feb/Mar 

6 Jan 10

20 Jan 10

V 

May/

21 Apr 10

5 May 10

Applications will only be accepted during Education Center office hours, 0800-1500, Monday-Friday.

Applications WILL NOT be accepted after the above time frames for any reason.

 STAP APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Welcome to the new web-based STAP Application process!

To begin, apply for STAP funding at https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/stap/default.aspx

First, review the "Spouse STAP Briefing". This provides valuable information regarding this new web-based program. Afterwards, create an account. The aiportal will lead you through the account creation process. This is done at the onset of the application process and is not required each time you apply for STAP funding.

Applying for STAP tuition assistance is initiated at your education record by opening "Apply for TA" link at the top of the page. Once you have completed the application, print your application at the "View TA Document" screen. (Also, this is where you will print your approved application.) You and your sponsor sign, attach required pay credentials. Complete the AFAS Form 92 , and attach to your application. AFAS Form 92 is required. Your application will not be accepted without it. You may bring your application and attachments to the Base Education Center, 4109 Bullard, suite 232 during the application period. Alternately you may scan to a .pdf format and email to edoffice@elmendorf.af.mil. Please put "STAP Application" in the subject line of the email. Applications may not be submitted early. Early applications will be deleted and you will need to resubmit during the correct application dates. Please make sure your application is signed and required attachments are included in your scanned product and email.


Within four days after close of the application period your request will be reviewed and approved or not approved. Not seeing an approved print icon means your request was disapproved. You may contact the ed office at edoffice@elmendorf.af.mil if you have any questions regarding your disapproval. Once approved, print and deliver your application and award letter to the school that you are enrolled in. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of funding.

Any changes to the courses that you were approved for require a new award letter and application. Please see the ed office immediately if you add or drop a class for which you had been approved.

As with any new process, there may be some growing pains for both the student and the ed office. Please be patient as we test this new website together!