Introduction: The Reconciliation Bill (Pub. L. 119-21) has provided limited funding for MilTA for Active Duty and AGR members in FY26. Due to the current government shutdown, there are certain limitations on MilTA processing that may affect you. This FAQ provides information and guidelines on how to proceed.
Eligibility & Application Submission
Q: I am not Active Duty or AGR, can I receive funding?
A: No, the Reconciliation Bill provides funding to Active Duty and AGR personnel ONLY.
Q: I want to pursue a new education goal (degree) and submit a TA request. Will I be able to?
A: Potentially. New education goals must be approved by an education counselor at your local Education & Training Section (E&TS) before you can proceed. If these personnel are on furlough and not excepted, your request will not be approved until the government shutdown has ended.
Q: I have already been approved for TA in the past, can I submit a new request?
A: Yes, but your TA request must meet specific requirements for auto-approval. If your education goal has already been approved and this is not your first time using MilTA, your funding request will likely be auto-approved in AFVEC. Review the approval limitations below for possible reasons it might not be auto-approved.
Q: I am not sure my TA request will be approved. Should I just submit anyway?
A: Please review the approval limitations below to ensure you are set up for success before submitting your TA request. You may submit your request if you are not sure of the approval outcome, however, please understand you are financially responsible for any courses you start in which you do not have an approved TA request. Your local E&TS may bring back personnel to process your request if not auto-approved, and your request may also be approved once the shutdown period ends, but that is not guaranteed.
Approval Process & Limitations
Q: How will I know if my TA request is approved?
A: You will review your funding requests in AFVEC which provides the approval status. Approximately 75% of MilTA requests from members with approved education goals are auto- approved.
Q: Why was my TA request not auto-approved?
A: Several reasons could prevent auto-approval and would require education counselors in your E&TS to approve. Your request may be delayed if those personnel are furloughed. Here are some common reasons:
- New Education Goal: You submitted a new education goal (degree) that is pending E&TS approval.
- First Time MilTA User: You are requesting TA for the first time which requires initial MilTA advisement from an education counselor at your E&TS.
- CCAF Course: You are requesting MilTA for a course needed for your CCAF degree. All courses for CCAF education goals must be approved by an education counselor at your E&TS. This applies to CCAF instructors as well.
- Course Overload: You are requesting funding for more than 2 courses in a single term which requires approval from your E&TS.
- Activated Guard/Reserve: You are an AGR member and either have expired orders on file with the local active-duty E&TS or have not provided orders of your activation period that extend to the end of the requested term. These must be reviewed and approved by the E&TS.
- Inconsistent Term Length: You are attending a school with inconsistent (non-standard) term lengths.
- Supervisor Approval: Your supervisor has not yet approved your request. You will need to ensure your listed supervisor approves the request prior to the start date of your term. If your supervisor has been furloughed, you will need to change the supervisor’s information in AFVEC to the next person in your chain of command who is present for duty.
Q: My request requires E&TS approval. How long will it take?
A: Due to the government shutdown and furlough of education counselors in the E&TS, processing times for TA funding requests may be delayed.
Q: What happens if my supervisor doesn’t approve my request in time?
A: TA funding requests pending supervisor approval will automatically be deleted on the first day of the applicable term/semester from the system. There is no guarantee these will be recreated by your local E&TS. This will be determined at a later date.
Q: What should I tell my school about my TA request?
A: Schools will be notified via the DAF Academic Institution Portal (AI Portal) of the availability of FY26 MilTA funding and guidelines. If your TA request has been auto-approved, there is no action needed on your part. You are strongly advised, however, to contact your school if you have submitted a TA funding request that is still pending E&TS approval and consider other funding availability options (GI Bill, Pell Grants, Scholarships). As a reminder, Service members attending courses without an approved TA funding request are financially responsible.
Potential Retroactive TA
Q: Will retroactive TA be considered once the shutdown is over?
A: Retroactive TA may be considered within limited timeframes which will be determined once the shutdown has ended. Members should understand they are financially responsible for funding their courses without an approved TA funding request.
Q: If retroactive TA is approved, how would I apply?
A: Details on the process for applying for retroactive TA will be released as soon as possible if the policy is approved.
Q: If retroactive TA is approved, will I be reimbursed?
A: No. The E&TS will work with you to build your TA funding request which will be sent to the school and paid by DAF. As a reminder, Service members are prohibited from using federal funds from multiple sources (federal loans, GI Bill, etc.) for the same course.
Where to Get More Information
Q: Where can I get the most up-to-date information on this situation?
A: Monitor AFVEC for official announcements. Contact your E&TS after the shutdown is over for specific guidance. Please note, your local E&TS may have excepted personnel to work your request during the shutdown so please check with them as a first step through AFVEC messages.