Civilian tuition assistance OK'd Published Sept. 17, 2008 By 81st Training Wing education office KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Voluntary civilian tuition assistance has been approved by Air Education and Training Command for fiscal 2009. "We've received twice the funding we received in FY08," said Jeanie Lessley, force development chief for the 81st Force Support Squadron. Civilian tuition assistance is for courses that begin on or after Oct. 1. Civilians are limited to one course per term. The funds are intended for courses required for an employee's job. Employees such as air reserve technicians can't use reserve tuition assistance at the same time as civilian tuition assistance. Fees aren't paid for civilians except for those directly related to instruction of the course, such as lab or technology fees. "This is a major command elective program, not an Air Force program, funded at the discretion of the AETC commander which is independently offered by only three commands," Ms. Lessley said. "Money is allocated at the beginning of the year, and once it runs out, it's unlikely we'll receive more." For more information, call the education office, 376-8708 or 8710.