Alright where to start... so here it is.

At the beginning of september I signed up for classes with American Military University. At that time I Also put in my Tuition Assistance with HQ. I received an email back saying it was rejected for now because I have to wait til the 15 of september to resubmit my TA form due to the new fiscal year. Complying I did just that, Waited til the 15 of september.

I then resubmitted it however this time I received an email back from my yeoman saying the forms are not being approved and sent through to the colleges and are on hold until further notice due to waiting for the 2009 funding to be released by the powers that be. A specific time table was not given. It is now the 28th of september and still no update to it being approved has reached my inbox. I have emailed the yeomans and they as well are still waiting on an update.

My classes start on October 6th and payment for the classes needs to be in by the 9th and no later or you are dropped. My yeomans told me to speak with the financial advisor to let them kno whats going on, and after doing so, I received the disappointing email that there is no choice but to have the TA in by the 9th or I will have to drop the classes and wait another month to begin the class... AKA The university can't do anything for me.

So with all of that going on I pose the questions; Anyone know when the funds will be released? Should I chance on waiting to see if it comes out in time before the 9th of October? Is there any other alternative routes I can take that won't put me in a financial issue?

Who would think trying to do something a little proactive like college would be so difficult...

I would stop talking to your YN and start talking to your servicing ESO at the Sector or the ISC whose job it is to know all things TA.
I am not sure you are getting the proper information.

I am with TUI and had the same problem. For TUI I signed a TA payment promissory note that stated That TA papers were filed. On the flip side, if TA does not come through I am out the cash. My classes start the 6th also and with the promissory note, my tuition is considered payed up until 6 OCT. Not sure what happens at that point. I will probably be out of pocket at that time.

One thing you can do, which is not encouraged but can be used as a last resort, is pay for the course yourself with a credit card (NOT your military travel card!!!). Once your school receives your TA approval form, whether the course has started or not, they should refund your money. I would call and speak to an advisor in the registration office about the policies they have regarding refunds. I know plenty of people who take courses and temporarily pay for them because TA can take so long to come through and they are at risk of not being able to register for their courses.

Your ESO will most likely not be able to provide you with too much additional information. Usually once the TA form is submitted, the ESO will tell you it is basically out of his/her hands. If TA is slow, it is not his problem. Also, just because your TA does not come through prior to your class convening, does not mean you are "out the cash". Your school should refund your money once the TA does come through regardless if the class has commenced or not. Hopefully you haven't footed the bill on any occasions thinking because the TA came through late the school wouldn't take it.

quote:

I will have to drop the classes and wait another month to begin the class

It is great that you are taking this opportunity to further your education, but I would wait another month instead of charging it to my credit card. A lot could happen between now and when the TA goes through.

What could happen to affect TA? I highly doubt that is something that could be taken away. Besides, even if it is, I would still want to continue my education even if I did have to pay for it. Using your credit card is a good idea if you are at risk of not being able to sign up for your class in time.

631 - I agree w/ 001. I am also a student at AMU and will be calling them tomorrow and charging the rest of the charges for my October class (I'm in a graduate program so I already paid $75 for my Oct class, plus nearly $100 for a book!). I have done this every October for several years now.

But Chewey has a point. DON'T do this if you can't afford to not get reimbursed for the money.

On a related note - if you do use your CC and don't get reimbursed you can ask for a grant from Coast Guard Foundation/Vanderputten education grants, and the CG Mutual Assistance Education grant. The CFV/Vanderputten reimburses up to $850, while CG Mutual Assistance reimburses up to $150 for undergraduate expenses. Check the Institute website for details.

BTW - what class/degree program are you pursuing??

at the moment pursuing Criminal Justice.