Education information and updates Published Sept. 5, 2012 442nd Fighter Wing Education WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Post-9/11 GI Bill changes The Air Force recently made changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill for annual caps, monthly housing payment rates, and book, tuition and fee rates. The following took effect Aug. 1, 2012. The annual cap for tuition and fees at private schools and non-degree schools has been increased to $18,077.50 for students eligible to receive 100 percent of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. There has however, been no change for public degree-granting schoools. Students will still be entitled to receive the in-state tuition and fees. Students should continue to report net tuition and fees, and Yellow Ribbon contibutions, if applicable, in the same way. Monthly housing rates are now based on the 2012 basic allowance for housing rates. The books and supplies payment, the tuition and fees payment (and Yellow Ribbon, if applicable) for each term will not be released more than 14 days prior tot he beginning of that term. Payments processed more than 14 days prior to the beginning of a term will be set up on a payment schedule to be released from VA no more than 14 days prior to the beginning of that term. This includes mini-terms that may have been certified with a standard term or multiple terms with varying begin dates. Students should expect electronically transferred payments three-to-five business days later, and seven-to-10 days later if Treasury checks are received. For example, an enrollment processed Aug. 1 for a term that begins Aug. 25 will mean tha thte books and supplies, and tuition and fees payments will not be released until Aug. 11. CCAF deadline nears for October graduation The cutoff date for the October 2012 class is Sept. 16, 2012. To be considered for graduation in the October class, the Community College of the Air Force must receive all documentation (ie: transcripts, CLEP scores, etc.) for the degree candidate submissions on or before this date. Total Force Top 3/USAA Scholarship Fund now accepting applications It is time for submission of the annual Total Force Top 3/USAA scholarship applications. Twenty $500 scholarships will be awarded to military members or family members who meet the following eligibility criteria: - Rank of E-9 or below or immediate family member of E-9 and below (i.e., daughter, son, etc.) -- Military member must be a current member of the Air Force Reserve, Air Force Reserve Command, or a family member of the above - Currently enrolled in Associate, Bachelor, or Master Degree program at a regionally accredited college or university during the upcoming Semester or have Letter of Acceptance from Registrar's Office from a regionally accredited college or university -- Students with an earned master's degree are not eligible to apply - Grade Point Average of 3.0 or above (within last 6 months) -- If new college student, must have last high school transcript - Must not have been a Total Force Top 3/USAA Scholarship recipient in the last 12 months Please use theUSAA Scholarship Information Packet and Application to ensure you have included everything that is required to submit a complete application package. All applicants must submit complete packages date stamped by the deadline, Oct. 31, 2012. Incomplete packages and packages dated after the deadline will be returned to sender without consideration. Please review the FAQ sheet before contacting the point of contact. POC is MSgt Ray Kelly, ray.kelly@us.af.mil; 478-327-2190. For questions about education benefits, 442nd Fighter Wing students may contact Tech. Sgt. Ron Watkins at 660-687-3353.