When a government shutdown occurs, it can cause stress and uncertainty, especially for service members balancing duty, family, and education. At the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), we want military students to know that you are not alone. UAGC remains fully committed to supporting you through this temporary disruption and helping you stay on track to achieve your educational goals.
What’s Happening During a Government Shutdown?
During a government shutdown, federal funding is temporarily paused, and many non-essential operations are delayed or suspended. For active-duty students, this can mean:
- Tuition Assistance (TA) processing is temporarily halted, delaying approvals for new or continuing courses.
- Military education centers may be closed, limiting access to on-base education staff and support.
- Credentialing Assistance (CA) and Air Force Credentialing Opportunities Online (AF COOL) programs are paused until funding resumes.Communication and processing times through official military channels may be slower than usual.
While this situation is beyond your control, we understand the frustration it can cause, and we are here to help you navigate it.
The Military Replacement Grant at UAGC
In response to a government shutdown, UAGC will be implementing the Military Replacement Grant (MRG) to support eligible students when approved TA funding was unavailable.
For students who qualify, the Military Replacement Grant covers the equivalent amount approved on a student’s TA voucher for the applicable course start. To be eligible for the grant, the student must be an active-duty service member, member of the National Guard, Reserve, civilian employee of the Coast Guard or Department of Defense employee, and have a TA Voucher on file for the applicable course start date.
If TA becomes available for an eligible course, TA funding is applied in lieu of the grant. When applicable, please allow up to 30 days following the end of the course for grant funding to be reflected on your student ledger.
At UAGC, supporting military learners remains a top priority. During this time:
- The Military Student Support Team is fully available to answer questions and guide you through next steps.
- Our Military Alliance Team continues to communicate with education partners and students, providing accurate updates and individualized support.
- Scheduling changes for affected students: If TA approvals are delayed, contact your Academic Advisor to update your schedule so you can resume your studies as soon as funding restarts.
- If you need to take a break, stay connected with the UAGC Student Veteran of America (UAGC SVA) chapter on the UAGC Connect platform.
The university is closely monitoring federal updates and will communicate any changes as soon as they occur. UAGC has supported military students through previous shutdowns and will do so again.
Our team is here to make sure your educational goals remain within reach.
Next Steps for Affected Students
If you are impacted by the shutdown, here is how to stay proactive:
- Check your UAGC student email regularly for official updates.
- Contact your Academic Advisor for personalized guidance. This is also a good time to review your Joint Service Transcript (JST) for future course planning.
- Ask about temporary options to maintain your planned start date once TA is restored.
- Review your education benefits to understand which programs continue operating, including the GI Bill®.
- Be patient with processing times. Some delays are expected, but UAGC is coordinating closely to minimize disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will my approved Tuition Assistance still be paid?
A: Maybe. TA that was approved before the shutdown may be paid as scheduled; however, some branches have policies requiring TA cancellation if the shutdown lasts through the start date.
Q: What happens to MyCAA during a shutdown?
A: The MyCAA program is paused for new approvals until the government reopens.
Q: Are VA Education benefit payments affected?
A: VA Education benefit payments continue, but new claims or customer service requests may experience delays.
Q: Is it possible to remain in the course?
A: Yes. Contact your Academic Advisor to get your course schedule updated, so you can resume your studies as soon as TA funding restarts.
We are in This Together
Your resilience defines who you are, as a service member and as a student. This pause is temporary, and UAGC will continue to stand beside you every step of the way. Together, we will make sure you stay on course and reach your goals once the government reopens.
By John Aldrich, Senior Vice President of Military & Academic Partnerships at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC).