The Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) is designed to provide fractional tuition assistance to spouses of active duty officers or airmen who will accompany them overseas and will be attending college.
The primary reason for this program is completion of degree to allow future job opportunities for marine and navy spouse employment.
The funds that provide assistance for STAP is established by donations to the Air force society was set up over 50 years ago. Guidelines have been set in place by The Air force society headquarters.
ELIGIBILITY
Only spouses that are of Air Force and active duty personnel who accompany service members overseas and who are attending college are eligible to participate in this program.
Only contracted schools on base will be eligible to participate in the STAP program.
Students must maintain a grade of C or better in courses that are paid for by STAP.
If a student fails or drops a class, they must reimburse STAP unless the reasoning is bases on Air force emergencies or actions and will be reviewed on each individual case basis.
Students, if eligible and approved, will receive up to 50% of their needed cost, but not to exceed $300.00 per term.
STAP offers loans of up to $3,000 per 12 month period and offers qualified spouses an excellent opportunity to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree when stationed overseas.
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.
STAP funding may be used 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.
To learn more about this program, please contact your local NMCRS office.