August 8, 2014

DoD announced new performance standards for tuition assistance benefits, and also limited covered costs of the benefit.  

Under the new rules, servicemembers taking an undergraduate course must achieve at least a C letter grade or higher in a class, or they will be forced pay back the cost out-of-pocket. Graduate students must achieve at least a B.   

Due to the unique challenges of military service, the Pentagon indicated it would grant exceptions to the new rules in extenuating circumstances.  

The tuition assistance program will also no longer cover the costs for non-tuition education fees. These fees include books, room and board, lab fees, supplies, and more.   

Services had previously frozen the tuition assistance program as they grapple with budget challenges.

Performance standards are a common sense way to lower costs without significantly diluting the benefit.