Angelo State to Cover Tuition for Active-Duty Students Affected by Government Shutdown

SAN ANGELO, TX - Angelo State University has pledged to pay the tuition and fees for any of its active-duty military students in the event that their military Tuition Assistance funding gets canceled due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

ASU's military students whose Tuition Assistance (TA) may be affected by the government shutdown are primarily those enrolled in online degree programs that deliver their courses in 8-week terms. With the Fall B term set to begin on Oct. 20, ASU's active-duty military students will now be able to retain their class schedules for the term with limited to no financial burden, regardless of the status of their TA funding.

Plus, any active-duty military students who may have already dropped their Fall B classes in anticipation of losing their TA funding will be able to re-register and continue their education uninterrupted.

"These students, who have chosen to serve our nation while pursuing their education, suddenly found themselves uncertain about how to continue their studies," said Jamie Mayer, vice president for external affairs. "True to our Ram Fam mentality, we are stepping in to ensure they do not have to put their education on hold due to circumstances that are completely beyond their control. We value all of our students at Angelo State, and we are dedicated to helping them stay on track toward earning their degrees."

Through the TA program, active-duty military personnel in all service branches are eligible for up to $4,500 in federal funding each year to pay their college or university tuition and fees. Angelo State also provides a Tuition Assistance Scholarship to cover any remaining tuition-and-fees costs that are not covered by TA.

Angelo State currently has 220 active-duty military students enrolled in various academic programs. If all 220 have their TA funding affected by the government shutdown, the total cost of their tuition and fees to be covered by ASU could reach as high as $85,000, which will be funded by the ASU President's Circle, Angelo State Fund and gifts from private donors.