STAP Eligibility Requirements
- All spouses of Active Duty Air Force personnel, who accompany members (command
sponsored) to overseas locations participating in the program, are eligible
candidates. Spouses who wish to participate must reside at the participating
location during the entire term(s) for which funding is requested. Awards are
not automatically renewed; spouses must submit a completed STAP application
to the Base Education Office each term that funding is desired. Applications
will be considered by the base Spouse Tuition Assistance Committee, which has
sole authority to grant TA under this program. The submission of an application
does not guarantee TA for the applicant. Only formal notification by the Committee
indicating approval of STAP funds can be considered as approval of an application.
- Only contracted institutions offering on-base programs will be utilized by
STAP students at overseas locations. Only courses that provide academic credit
in undergraduate or graduate (Masters) programs are eligible for STAP funding.
Courses and degree or certificate programs should be reasonably related to
preparing an individual for an occupational goal. Non-traditional forms of
education, such as distance learning and independent study courses are only
eligible through contracted institutions. Doctoral courses/programs and non-credit
courses, other than English as a Second Language (ESL), are not eligible. STAP
funds may not be applied to any duplicate/repeat course for which the student
was previously funded under this program.
- STAP funding may be used in conjunction with other aid (i.e. Pell Grants,
Veterans Administration Benefits, scholarships, grants etc.). However, other
aid, with the exception of loans, must be applied to tuition costs prior to
determining level of STAP funding.
- STAP funds will be calculated as 50% of unmet tuition costs, not to exceed
term and/or annual maximums. "Unmet tuition" is defined as tuition
charged per course less other aid. If tuition costs are from more than one
contracted institution, term maximum is established by using number of terms
for school providing degree or majority of courses. Total STAP funding must
neither exceed the established maximum per term (not per school), nor the 50%
unmet tuition per course limit.
- A generic application form, AFAS Form 90A, is available at Base Education
office. The application requests information on applicant and sponsor (i.e.
name, SSN, phone #'s, etc.), financial data (to include other educational aid),
school enrollment, and an agreement to be signed by student applicant and sponsoring
Air Force member. Statement stipulates the conditions that require student
applicants to reimburse AFAS HQ in full (i.e. withdrawals unrelated to Air Force
actions, failure to meet grade requirements, receiving other financial aid,
and overawards; and if obligation is not met, notices may be sent to sponsoring
member and member's Unit Commander. Each base is authorized to develop and
attach any addendum deemed necessary to inform applicants of specifics unique
to that base's program administration (i.e. application deadlines, term maximums,
class limitations, etc.). Each addendum should be initialed by the student
applicant. A copy of sponsoring member's Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
and any other pertinent information necessary to establish priority of applicants
will be required.
- Individuals receiving STAP funds must receive a grade of "C" ("B" for
graduate work) for all courses funded by this program, to be eligible for further
aid. The award of TA for one term does not assure continued funding; a separate
application is required each term. However, the Committee should consider individuals
who have already received aid for a program of study towards a degree or certificate
in making award decisions.
- The STAP award will be based on financial need and the occupational focus
of the individual’s course or program.
- Neither the student applicant nor the sponsoring member may have an AFAS
Emergency Assistance (EA) loan that is uncollectible (i.e. bankruptcy, write-off)
or delinquent in payment, nor owe a refund on AFAS STAP funding.
Contact your local Airman & Family Readiness Center for application
deadlines for each term.
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