RALEIGH, N.C. » The U.S. Air Force has joined other military branches in suspending tuition assistance that thousands of active-duty airmen rely on to pay for college classes.

Air Force spokeswoman Lt. Col. Laurel Tingley said airmen were notified in an email today that new applications for tuition assistance won’t be accepted because of the $85 billion in federal spending cuts that went into effect March 1.

The U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard suspended their assistance programs last week. A decision by the U.S. Navy is pending.

The tuition assistance programs pay up to $250 per semester hour for active duty personnel, up to $4,500 per year. Military personnel may still qualify for aid under the G.I. Bill, which is not affected.