Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP)

Brought to you by:
Air Force Aid Society
Airman & Family Readiness Center

What is Spouse Tuition Assistance?
   The Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) provides partial tuition assistance for spouses of active duty airmen or officers, who accompany members to overseas locations and will be attending college programs at those overseas locations. The focus of the program is on the completion of degree or certificate programs that will enhance future employment opportunities for spouses.
Who operates the STAP?
   The Air Force Aid Society operates the STAP. Air Force Aid is a private, nonprofit organization chartered under the laws of Virginia.  It is not part of the United States Air Force, nor is it a government agency.
Where does the money come from?
   All money disbursed as part of the STAP comes from donations to the Air Force Aid Society. An education fund was established over 50 years ago using these monies, and has been self-supporting since that time.  Only those donations specifically labeled for education purposes are currently added to this fund.  
Who makes the rules?
   The guidelines for the STAP are set at Air Force Aid Society headquarters with input from each Air Force Major Command (MAJCOM) and Headquarters United States Air Force (USAF).
 
ELIGIBILITY
   All spouses of active duty Air Force personnel who accompany members to overseas locations are eligible to participate. 
   Applicants must be attending college programs at the overseas location of the active duty member.
   Only contracted institutions (schools), offering on-base programs, will be utilized by STAP students at overseas locations. Non-traditional forms of education, such as distance learning and independent study courses are only eligible through contracted on-base institutions.
   Students must maintain a grade of “C” or better for all courses for which they have used STAP. Graduate courses require a grade of “B” or better.
  Students who withdraw or fail to complete a class must reimburse STAP funds unless the withdrawal is for an official Air Force action or emergency to be reviewed on a case by case basis.
 
 
HOW TO APPLY

   Pick up a STAP application at the Base Education Center located on the 2nd floor of Building 653 (35th Mission Support Squadron) or at the Family Support Center located on the 1st floor of the Torii Bldg. 656. 
   Complete the application and return it to the Education Center along with a copy of your sponsor’s most current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) and a copy of your most current pay statement (if applicable). Please include income such as teaching English, daycare, home business, etc. If you do not have a pay statement please attach a written statement of income. Failure to disclose all income will lead to disqualification for STAP assistance. 
   Application deadlines are established and announced well in advance of each term. Only those applications submitted prior to the deadline will be considered for STAP for that term. The submission of an application does not guarantee tuition assistance (TA) for the applicant
 

HOW MUCH WILL I GET?
   If approved, students may receive 50% of their unmet tuition costs, not to exceed $300 per term. No student will receive more than $1500 per academic year. An academic year is 1 August – 31 July.
   STAP funding may be used in conjunction with other aid (i.e., Pell Grants, Veterans Administration benefits, scholarships, grants, etc.); however, other aid must be applied to tuition costs prior to determining level of STAP funding.  Failure to disclose all other aid will lead to disqualification for STAP assistance. 
 
WHO IS APPROVED?
   Applications are based on “adjusted income.”  To calculate adjusted income, we use this formula:

Sponsor’s monthly base pay
+
Half of student’s monthly pay (if applicable)
+
Half of sponsor’s monthly net pay (2nd Job)
-
$100 for each dependent child

= Adjusted Income
   A percentage of STAP funds equal to the officer population percentage must be allocated to officer spouses. Each category has its own adjusted income list. 
   We then rank applicants in order from lowest adjusted income to highest adjusted income. Commitments for STAP will follow the prioritized adjusted income list until either dollar allocations have run out or eligible applicants are not available.
   A listing of tuition assistance recipients is available at each on base school office prior to start of registration for each school term.
   Any money that was allocated but not used or any refunds or reimbursements we receive are placed back into the annual budget and are disbursed during the remaining terms.
Airman & Family Readiness Center
226-4735
Torii Building 656
Misawa Air Base, Japan

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UPDATED: 07/07/2010

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Need money for college?
Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP)
Term 5 Application Period:
19 - 30 April 2010

If you are an Air Force spouse attending college classes while overseas, you can receive assistance to fund your degree. STAP provides 50% tuition assistance up to $300 per term. Apply for STAP from 19-30 April for term 5 2009-2010 school year. Applications available at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center, the base Education Office or on the www.misawa.af.mil (under the library section).

Please submit application to the Base Education Office; No late applications will be accepted.
 
Are you a Military Spouse? Are you considering going to school? The Air Force Aid Society offers the General George Brown Spouse Tuition Assistance Program to help you fund your college education while stationed overseas. This program will pay 50% of your unmet tuition fees up to $300 per term.

All spouses who already have a MyCAA account must use all their funds prior to applying for STAP funds. Spouses must provide documentation that states they have been denied MyCAA, they have exhausted all $6,000, or they are in pending status and MyCAA has a significant backlog which would delay the student from receiving MyCAA funds.

The following steps are all you need to do to apply:
1.
Fill out application form: Air Force Aid Society Spouse Tuition Assistance Applications
Please print and complete all questions on the “STAP Application.”
2.
 Attach a copy of active duty spouse’s recent LES. 
3.
 If you are employed, attach your last pay statement. Daycare providers please provide a written statement of your income. 
4.
 Return application and copies of LES(s) to the Education Center (bldg 653, 2nd floor) by the deadline.
Awards will be posted before the start of the new term. If you have any questions, please call A&FRC at 226-4735.
STAP for Other Military Branches:
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) Spouse Tuition Assistance: Please call 226-3721 during normal office hours on Tues 0800-1200 or Thurs 1230-1530, to get further information on application procedures and deadlines.
Army Emergency Relief Spouse Education Assistance Program (SEAP): Applications and further program information are available online at the following location: http://www.aerhq.org/education_spouseeducation.asp.  Applications must be mailed to AER HQ and postmarked NLT each term’s deadline.


Relocation Services
Sponsorship Training Classes
This is mandatory training for first time sponsors and those that have not had training in the past year. Members will be provided with the skills needed to succeed as a sponsor.
Right Start INTRO Briefing
(mandatory for all Active Duty)
Smooth Move Workshop
(outbound PCS)
Being prepared makes relocation less stressful. Subject matter experts will update you on the latest policy changes that may impact your move. Spouse employment, relocation planning, and
financial resources are also provided. Contact A&FRC for upcoming workshop dates. Time: 9 - 11:30 am.
Free PCS Childcare
The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) provides free child care for Air Force families within 60 days of a PCS move. Bring a copy of your orders to the A&FRC, Bldg. 656, and the AFAS will pay up to 20 hours per child. Note: child care must be with a licensed Family Child Care provider.
Loan Closet
The Loan Closet can provide basic home necessities such as dishes, utensils, small appliances, high chairs, strollers and more to assist during in/out-bound PCS.
Homebuyer’s Education Workshop
This workshop provides information on the sort of home aff ordable for you, methods of fi nancing, realtor selection, renting versus buying, pre-qualifying, and the VA home loan process.
Key Spouse
Program
The Key Spouse Program provides a valuable information link between squadron commanders
and families. The focus is to support family readiness education and communication. The A&FRC provides program training and referral support. If you are interested in learning more about this program,
please contact your Unit First Sergeant
or the A&FRC at 226-4735.