Government Shutdown Impacts on FY24 TA/CA Requests

Date Published: 23 Feb 24

Subject: Potential Government Shutdown Impacts on FY24 Tuition Assistance and Credentialing Assistance Requests

1.  Tuition Assistance

    a. If Congress does not pass a Budget or Continuing Resolution before 9 March 2024, approved FY24 Tuition Assistance (TA) Requests may be cancelled.  ACCESS will cancel TA Requests starting on 8 March 2024 at 2359 GMT (1959 EDT) for 9 March 2024 term start dates and will continue daily cancellations throughout the government shutdown. These daily cancellations will continue until either a Budget or a Continuing Resolution is approved by Congress and signed by the President.
        •  Soldiers whose TA Requests were cancelled due to the government shutdown will receive a message in ArmyIgnitED.

        •  Soldiers whose TA Requests were cancelled due to the government shutdown must submit a new TA Request for a future term date.

        •  Soldiers will not be permitted to submit future-dated TA Requests during the government shutdown.

        •  There will be no historical TA Requests created for courses with term start dates during the shutdown.

        •  Soldiers should review the “Conditions” section on their TA Request and understand the terms of this agreement to include the following statement, “I understand that TA for courses starting in the next fiscal year is conditional until the receipt of the TA funds.” Without a Budget or Continuing Resolution, the Army will not receive TA funding. 

        •  Soldiers should work with their academic institution or local Army Education Center (if available during the shutdown) to make an informed decision on whether to withdraw from courses during the government shutdown or remain enrolled and assume the risk of self-pay.

        •  Soldiers who attend courses during the government shutdown will be responsible for costs incurred with their Academic Institution.

    b.  For additional questions, contact your Army Education Center.

2. Credentialing Assistance

    a.  If Congress does not pass a Budget or Continuing Resolution before 9 March 2024, pending FY24 Credentialing Assistance (CA) Requests may be cancelled.  ACCESS will cancel pending CA Requests starting on 8 March 2024 at 2359 GMT (1959 EDT) for 9 March 2024 start dates during the government shutdown. These daily cancellations will continue until either a Budget or a Continuing Resolution is approved by Congress and signed by the President. More guidance will be provided on CA Request start dates after the government returns to work.

        •  Soldiers whose CA Requests were cancelled due to the government shutdown will be informed via ArmyIgnitED messaging.

        •  Soldiers whose CA Requests were cancelled due to the government shutdown must submit a new CA Request. CA requests must be submitted not earlier than 45 days, but not later than 90 days, prior to the start date of either the course or the exam.

        •  Soldiers whose CA Requests were cancelled due to the government shutdown will not be able to get retroactive CA to pay for courses or exams that started during the government shutdown.

        •  Soldiers FY funding limit will be automatically reset to reflect total allowable amount remaining after cancellation.

        •  Soldiers should contact the Army CA Virtual Counseling Cell for guidance or assistance at: https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/costs_and_funding/index.html?credentialingassistance

Categories: ACCESS, Benefits