Congressman Graves pushes for new Air National Guard tuition assistance under bill

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Newly-proposed legislation in the U.S. House could significantly benefit current and future drill-status members of the Air National Guard, including those stationed at the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph.

Bipartisan legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Sam Graves (MO-06), Brad Finstad (MN-01), and Eric Sorenson (IL-17) in December would mandate the Secretary of the Air Force issue a permanent federal tuition assistance program for DSG members of the ANG.

Known as the Air Guard Standardizing Tuition Assistance to Unify the Services (STATUS) Act, the bill provides Air National Guard members the same federal tuition assistance currently offered to members of the Army National Guard.

"It's only fair and it makes sense (to have tuition assistance)," Graves told News-Press NOW. "It's hard to understand just exactly why this happened. Most people don't realize that there's a disparity between the Army and the Air National Guard. When you tell them, they're a little surprised and everybody agrees, we should correct this and make it right."

Currently, drill-status Army National Guardsmen are eligible Army National Guardsmen receive Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) for up to $4,000 annually (or $4,500 in some sources), covering 100% of tuition up to $250 per semester hour for degrees like Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's, with lifetime limits on credit hours, and can be combined with state benefits and GI Bill programs for significant education funding.

Those enrolled as drill-status guardsmen are part-time service members that typically train one weekend a month and two weeks per year. Prior to the introduction of STATUS, DSR members were not eligible to receive tuition assistance.

Graves highlighted how closing the gaps on benefits would provide a boost to recruiting at a local and national level, both for the 139th Airlift Wing and for Air National Guard stations across the country.

"They're (139th) is trying to continue to grow and recruit more members. Having tuition assistance allows those individuals, young folks to be financially supported and serve their country at the same time," Graves said. "That's the trade off. It's going to be a big help to St. Joe, the 139th and for that matter, all Air Guard units across the country."

With strong support from other congress members in Finstad and Sorenson, Graves stated he is "very optimistic" of the legislation being passed.

“I’m proud to join Reps. Sorensen and Graves in introducing the Air Guard STATUS Act, which will deliver much needed educational assistance to the brave men and women serving in the Air National Guard and create parity with the benefits afforded to the Army National Guard. This legislation will ensure deserved benefits and recognition reach all DSG members of the National Guard who have answered the call to serve our great nation,” said Rep. Finstad in a news release.