Are You Tracking? 

📣  Impact to Education Benefits During a Government Shutdown  (Federal Tuition Assistance, Credentialing Assistance, GI Bill)

Description:  

-Federal Tuition Assistance:  Previously submitted and approved FY26 TARs for Soldiers not on Title 10 active-duty orders will be cancelled daily throughout the government shutdown until either a Budget or a Continuing Resolution is approved by Congress and signed by the President.  The Army is only cancelling requests with start dates that fall within the actual shutdown dates.  FTA requests with start dates after the shutdown should not be impacted. In addition, Soldiers will not be able to submit new Education Goals or TARs during this time.   Please monitor your Army IgnitED accounts for updates. 

-Credentialing Assistance:  Pending CARs may be cancelled during the government shutdown until either a Budget or a Continuing Resolution is approved by Congress and signed by the President.  The Army is only cancelling requests with start dates that fall within the actual shutdown dates.  CA requests with start dates after the shutdown should not be impacted.   Please monitor your Army IgnitED accounts for updates.  Soldiers will not be able to submit new CA Goals or CARs during this time.

-GI Bill:  There is no impact to GI Bill Payments. VA payments, including tuition and housing stipends, will continue to be issued as scheduled. The GI Bill hotline and certain VA services may be temporarily suspended or delayed. 

 

📣 Attention New Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Users! 

Description: Army IgnitED 101 Training is required of all new users prior to requesting FTA. Soldiers who have previously used ArmyIgnitED to receive FTA are exempt from this requirement.

 Watch the training on Army share point (Needs CAC) :  

ArmyIgnitED 101 Training Link

📣 New Resource for College Planning,  “My Texas Future”

Description:  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has launched a new tool to help Texans with their college planning.  Information is available on the Financial Aid process, college support programs, services and more.

For more information, visit:

https://www.mytexasfuture.org/

📣 Financial Aid Deadlines

 Applications for the upcoming school year open 1 October every year.  Financial Aid, determined by your college campus, is awarded on first-come, first-served basis. 

Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA), State financial aid priority deadline:  January 15. For more information, visit:

https://www.highered.texas.gov/students-families/tasfa/

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Federal financial aid deadline:   June 30

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Don’t delay, visit your campus Financial Aid Office today! 

📣 2026–27 FAFSA® Form Now Available!

Date/Time: Spring 26 

Description: Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college, career school, or graduate school.

For more information, visit: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

 

Education, the Force Multiplier

 

Education is much more than earning a degree, a credential or learning a new skill set. It’s the foundation for readiness and resilience, strengthening critical thinking and problem-solving, gaining new perspectives and finding your community and support network.                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      E&I OIC, LTC Sheri Glenn

“As long as you live, keep learning how to live.”                                Seneca

Does a bachelor’s degree provide a strong Return on Investment (ROI) in today’s job market?    

The overwhelming evidence says YES! Prime-age workers with a Bachelor’s degree earn 70% more at the median than workers with a high school diploma alone.  Additionally, those with a bachelor’s degree face much lower unemployment rates.                            

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

 


       Let's Talk Numbers

State Tuition Assistance Impact

$11.5M

Amount of State TA funds reinvested in Texas colleges & universities over the past 5 years.

89%

Increase in the number of requests for State Tuition Assistance from FY 2023 to FY 2025.

16%

Increase in the number of members that extend their TMD service to retain the State TA benefit for educational, professional and career advancement.

5,281

Total # of requests for State Tuition Assistance from FY 24-26.

3,004

Total # of TMD Service Members who received State Tuition Assistance in FY 24-25.

$4,001

Average Award Amount of State TA in FY 26.

 

 

Research Fuels Readiness

 

70% of recent public university graduates began to see a positive return on their college investment within the first 10 years after graduation.                                                                                                               Strada Education Foundation October 2025

Education Benefits are a primary driver for joining the military. 48% of youth ages 16-21 join the military to pay for future education.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         JAMRS Youth Poll July 2025

By 2030, more than 62% of all jobs in Texas will require education beyond high school.      
 
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce 
 

Events & Deadlines

February
  • 11- AFCT Testing
  • 25-DLPT/DLAB Testing
March
  • 11- AFCT Testing
  • 25- DLPT/DLAB Testing
April
  • 8- AFCT Testing
  • 22- DLPT/DLAB Testing

Contact Us

 

2200 West 35th Street, Building 15 
Camp Mabry, Austin, TX 78763-5218 
Main: (512)782-5515
Hours of Operation: 8am-4pm

 

Bonus/Incentives: ng.tx.txarng.mbx.incentives@army.mil

(512) 782-5515


GI Bill, Federal Tuition Assistance, Credentialing Assistance:

ng.tx.txarng.mbx.education@army.mil

 (512) 782-5078


State Tuition Assistance: ng.tx.txarng.mbx.trp@army.mil 

(512) 782-5270


Testing (AFCT, DLPT, DLAB): ruth.l.kaster.mil@army.mil 

(512) 782-1998

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