Austin Peay State University (APSU) announced that it will cover tuition assistance for active-duty, reserve, and National Guard students enrolled in Fall B classes if the federal government shutdown halts payments from the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program beyond Wednesday.¶
The TA program, administered by the Department of Defense, typically provides service members up to $250 per credit hour with a $4,500 annual cap to pursue higher education. However, those payments have been suspended as part of the current federal government shutdown, leaving many military students uncertain about how to pay for their coursework.¶
University Steps Up for Military Students¶
“Austin Peay has a proud history of supporting our military and our military-affiliated students,” said APSU President Mike Licari. “This decision ensures that service members using Tuition Assistance at Austin Peay can stay focused on their educational goals and know that we are here to support them.”¶
Under the temporary policy, APSU will provide TA-equivalent assistance to all eligible students enrolled in Fall B courses as of October 15 who had expected to use federal Tuition Assistance for that term.¶
“Our service members and their families deserve certainty when it comes to pursuing higher education,” said retired Army Maj. Gen. Walt Lord, APSU’s vice president for Military and Veterans Affairs. “Austin Peay has always championed our military community, and this assistance reflects our unwavering commitment to their success.”¶
Why It Matters¶
Austin Peay’s announcement highlights the crucial role universities play in supporting military students when federal funding interruptions occur. The Clarksville-based university, located near Fort Campbell, one of the largest Army installations in the U.S., serves thousands of active-duty and veteran learners each year.¶
A prolonged shutdown could delay or suspend multiple federal education programs, creating ripple effects across campuses with high numbers of service members and dependents. APSU’s proactive stance ensures that its military-affiliated students remain enrolled and academically secure despite federal uncertainty.¶
How to Get Help¶
Military students with questions can contact the Austin Peay Center at Fort Campbell at 931-221-1400 or visit apsu.edu/mva/apfc for more information about eligibility and application steps.¶
