White House forced to consider reinstating TA

The White House will have to consider reinstating tuition assistance for troops after a petition on its official website garnered more than 100,000 signatures.

A petition titled “Reinstate Military Tuition Assistance and block the Armed Service Branches from any further suspension of TA” was posted March 8 on “We the people.”

This White House-run website invites Americans to start petitions on issues important to them. If a petition is able to get enough online signatures, the White House staff has to review it. President Obama will sometimes respond himself.

The TA petition needed 100,000 signatures to force an official response and has already reached more than 112,300. You can read the petition here.

Reinstating TA “should be accomplished by Executive Order as Commander in Chief,” the petition states.

“In spite of our countries current economic situation and the polarizing politics involved, Service Member benefits such as Tuition Assistance should not be compromised as a result. Access to Higher Education is important to Service Members as it allows for career and professional advancement.”

The Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have all suspended TA for the year as a way to cut costs. Navy officials are still considering their options and have not made a decision.