Army Vocational
Technical (AVOTEC)
Information Page

ASM is extremely pleased that through participation of Army’s AVOTEC program, we were able to train 160 soldiers in the last 3 months.

Because ASM wanted to thank every soldier and their families for their great contributions to our country, we were able to extend and grant in excess of $60K (in 3-month period) in scholarships to our great men and women of Army. These scholarships were extended through ASM’s own family funds and were not supported by local/state or federal grants.

Army needs your feedback! Please write to Army as well as your politicians in state and federal level and let them know that you want this great program to continue and not only for Army but also for other branches of military. Let your voices be heard!

ASM is fully committed to do its part to support our soldiers and their families. Please check out the details on another great program MyCAA also known as Military Spouse program.

ASM looks forward to be of service to great men and women of our military who sacrifice their lives on a daily basis for our great country. Thank YOU!

Administered by ACES (the Army Continuing Education System), the AVOTEC program provides $4500 per fiscal year for active duty service members. For those that qualify for AVOTEC, the tuition for ASM courses is adjusted to $4500. Therefore, if you qualify for AVOTEC funding, your tuition will be 100% covered by ASM for any training that is over $4500 (some limitations apply). ASM is honored to be offering this special “AVOTEC Scholarship” to our great men and women who are bravely serve our country in active duty capacity. Please note ALL ASM Programs and Classes are eligible under this program. Contact ASM for further information. We look forward to hearing from you.

Congress has selected the Army to participate in an education pilot program designed to provide expanded education opportunities for Soldiers, officers and Wounded Warriors serving on active duty -- to include National Guard and Reserve Soldiers on extended active duty.

The intent of this short-term pilot program is to provide training in high-demand career fields to help Soldiers find employment after they transition out of the Army. Army Education is working with technical and community colleges throughout the United States to build upon existing programs and develop new pilot re-training programs in high demand career occupations, such as rehabilitation, nursing, medical technology, and other health care occupations.

The Army Vocational/Technical (AVOTEC) Program was announced January 15 and Army Education Centers and Soldier and Family Assistance Centers will begin assisting Soldiers with enrollment beginning February 1.

Soldiers are to consider enrollment in these programs for training or re-training. However, as the HQDA Executive Agent for the AVOTEC Program, HQ ACES reserves the right to disapprove programs that do not meet the eligibility criteria of the Program. Programs can be no longer than 18 months in length and should not exceed the maximum cost limit of $4500.00 per fiscal year.

All costs for instruction, certification, or license must be paid by September 30, 2009. No additional funds will be available after the ending date for this pilot program.

AVOTEC Program History

The Army is making available a substantial amount of money to support the Army's Soldier Vocational-Technical Training Program. This program is different from typical credit/semester hour-based occupational/technical programs which are available to Soldiers through traditional college programs offered to Soldiers on the GoArmyEd Portal. Programs that are part of an academic program (Semester or Quarter hour based) will not qualify. The Army already gives Tuition Assistance (TA) for those programs. However if the program is vocational and some of the classes can be used for dual credit then it would. Programs must lead toward licensure or certification at state or national level. Traditional TA will not be used for this program.

All Soldiers on active duty to included National Guard and Army Reserve are eligible. However, this is not a veteran's program; THIS IS A PROGRAM FOR ACTIVE DUTY SOLDIERS ONLY.

There is no Additional Service Obligation (ADSO) for officers who participate in the AVOTEC program.

This new pilot program targets Soldiers seeking occupational training that provides a capstone test and/or certification.

Pilot program guidelines

1. Non-degree based - certificate, licensure

2. Non-credit hour based - cannot be based on semester or quarter hours

3. No longer than 18 months in length

4. The FY Cap for all programs is $4500. Anything exceeding this $4500 cap will be the responsibility of the Soldier. For example; if a Soldier has been pursuing an academic degree and has used $2000 in TA--he has $2500 left that he can use for the AVOTEC Program.

5. Soldiers participating in the pilot program must be enrolled and approved in private trade or technical school program prior to 30 September 2009.

Is there an additional Service Obligation (ADSO) for officers who participate in the AVOTEC program?
No, there is not an additional service obligation.

If a program that a Soldier wants to enroll in is more than $4500 can the Soldier still enroll in the program?
Yes, however the maximum amount the Army will pay per fiscal year is $4500. Anything exceeding this $4500 cap will be the responsibility of the Soldier. For example: If a Soldier has been pursuing an academic degree and has used $2000 in TA--he has $2500 left that he can use for the AVOTEC Program. (The FY Cap for all education programs is $4500).

Will the non-degree programs be loaded into GoArmyEd?
No the programs submitted and accepted will be placed on the ACES website for use by the Soldiers.

Will the Army be using paper based TA?
No, the program will not use the traditional paper based TA.

Is there career counseling to help Soldiers choose a vocational program that fits their background and future goals, or to choose an entirely different field?
Yes, at the local Army Education Centers

What kinds of programs are offered?
This program is for high demand career and occupation fields. For more program information refer to: https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/education/VOTEC_Program.html

Do classes have to be taken through Community colleges, or can Soldiers take classes through private trade or technical schools?
Community college, private trade and technical school programs approved by the Department of Education are eligible to participate in this program.

Can a Soldier earn credit toward an associate’s degree, or does the tuition assistance apply strictly to vocational training?
Programs that are part of an academic program (Semester or Quarter hour based) will not qualify. The Army already gives Tuition assistance for those programs. However if the program is vocational and some of the classes can be use for dual credit then it would. Programs must lead toward licensure or certification State or National. A nurses aid program that will train someone to sit for a state or national certification would qualify. Traditional TA will not be used for this program.

What is the maximum length of a program that will be funded?
18 months

Is there a cap on tuition assistance?
Yes, the maximum amount the Army will pay per fiscal year is $4500. Anything exceeding this $4500 cap will be the responsibility of the Soldier. For example; If a Soldier has been pursuing an academic degree and has used $2000 in TA--he has $2500 left that he can use for the AVOTEC Program. (The FY Cap for all programs is $4500)

Will the Army pay for my tuition directly, or do I have to apply for reimbursement?
The Army will pay the school

The program I am interested in isn’t available in my area; are vocational courses available online?
Yes

The program expires in September. What is the deadline to apply?
Soldiers need to be enroll and approved in Community college, private trade or technical school programs prior to 30 September 2009.

What if the program I am interested in continues after the 2009 deadline?
The program can continue after 30 September 2009 as long as the Soldier has enrolled and has received notification of approval.

Who can answer more specific inquiries about the program?
Local Army Education Centers

How does this program differ from the traditional credit-based Tuition Assistance (TA) programs available in GoArmyEd?
TA is authorized for programs that are part of an academic program (Semester or Quarter hour based) and lead toward an academic degree (AA, BA, MA). This new pilot program targets Soldiers seeking occupational/vocational training that is not eligible for Tuition Assistance (TA). Programs must lead toward state or national licensure or certification. A nurses aid program that will train someone to sit for a state or national certification would qualify. The pilot program guidelines are the following:

1. Non-degree based - certificate, licensure

2. Non-credit hour based - cannot be based on semester or quarter hours

3. No longer than 18 months in length

Who is eligible to participate in this program?
All Soldiers on active duty to include National Guard and Army Reserve on extended active duty are eligible.

Is the program open to Veterans?
This is not a veteran's program, this is a program for Active Duty Soldiers only.

1. Soldier must have an active account in GoArmyEd to enroll in AVOTEC.

   1. If no GoArmyEd account, Soldier goes to Army Education Center for assistance in acquiring an account and access to the GoArmyEd Portal.
       

2. Once enrolled in the GoArmyEd Portal:

   1. If Soldier has previously used the TA Reimbursement form, Soldier will log in and do the following:

      • Click My Virtual Education Center

      • Click Enroll or Drop a Course/Withdraw from a Course link

      • Click the Launch Reimbursement Request link
         

   2. If Soldier has not used the TA Reimbursement form, Soldier will log in and do the following:

      • Click My Virtual Education Center

      • Click Enroll or Drop/Withdraw from a Course

      • Click Request TA and Enroll in a Course

      • Review your account information. Click the Account Information Verified

      • Click OK

      • Select the term for your class start date

      • Click Class Search radio button

      • Click Search

      • Click the statement "Click here if you wish to take a class from a college not listed", on the Search Course Schedule screen
         

3. Soldier types SVP in the college field on the Add Request TA Reimbursement screen. (Subject code and catalog Nbr will then auto populate.)
    

4. Start date

   1. If enrolling for Program, Soldier types in course Start Date and clicks Add button.

   2. If enrolling for certification/licensure exam, Soldier types in Exam date and clicks Add button.
       

5. On the enrollment form the Soldier fills in the following information:

   1. If enrolling for program complete:

      • Course Title

      • End Date

      • Instruction Mode
         

   2. If enrolling for certification/licensure exam complete:

      • Type of exam

      • End Date

      • Instruction Mode
         

6. Soldier fills in the Registrar Contact Information

   1. If enrolling for program complete:

      • Name of school (satellite campus if applicable) and POC

      • Phone

      • Email

      • School Web Site
         

   2. If enrolling for certification/licensure exam complete:

      • Name of certifying Agency and POC

      • Phone

      • Email

      • Certifying Agency Web site
         

7. Soldier fills in the Course cost:

   1. If enrolling for program-place the program cost in the Additional TA eligible Fees block. (no other blocks in the course cost area should be filled)

   2. If enrolling for exam for certification/licensure-place the exam cost in the Additional TA eligible Fees block. (no other blocks in the course cost area should be filled)
       

8. Soldier clicks Save to submit the form