National Guard Education Benefits Summary
College First
College First is an enlistment option which guarantees a soldier who enrolls in college that she/he will not be deployed for two years and increases the amount of the monthly Kicker.
Who is eligible?
Soldiers who:
- Are non-prior service high school graduates or graduating high school seniors;
- Score 50 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB);
- Agree to complete Advanced Individual Training (AIT) immediately following Basic Training (Note: the Split Training option is not authorized for College First enlistments);
- Are accepted at a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education;
- Maintain full-time enrollment for the two-year non-deployment period (With drawing from college or dropping below full-time enrollment voids the College First program);
- Have a 6x2 (or eight-year) enlistment contract;
- Enlist in a critical Military Occupational Specialty (MOS);
- Enlist into any Modified Table of Organization & Equipment (MTOE) unit approved by National Guard Bureau; and
- Meet all other applicable enlistment criteria as required.
What does College First offer?
College First provides up to two years of non-deployment following completion of Initial Active Duty Training (IADT) and it increases the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Kicker from $200 to $350 per month. It is envisioned that soldiers will combine College First with other education assistance programs such as Student Loan Repayment, Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA), Guard Tuition Incentive Program (GTIP), and the Montgomery GI Bill-Selective Reserve (MGIB-SR).
How long is the eligibility?
Soldiers must enroll in the College First program at the time of enlistment. The program lasts two years.
How can a soldier apply for College First?
Soldiers can sign up for College First through their recruiter.
Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
FTA is available for undergraduate degrees and a first master’s degree. It is available to Arkansas National Guard members in good standing.
What does FTA pay?
FTA pays 100% of tuition, up to $250 per credit hour and $4,500 per year.
How can a soldier apply for FTA?
Applications are due before the first day of class
- Go to www.virtualarmory.com
- Click on the “Education” tab
- Click on “Federal Tuition Assistance Online Application”
- Log in with your AKO User Name and Password
- If you have been in the Guard for less than six months, a recruiter or someone at your unit will have to log in for you.
- If your college/university is not listed, select “other” and then type the name of the school in the remarks section
- Print a copy of the completed application (if possible) before submitting it online
- Be sure to list your correct AKO e-mail address so Sgt. First Class Dianna Hamby can respond to your application.
Are there other requirements?
Soldiers must submit their final grades to the approving agent, SFC Hamby within 30 days of the end of class. Soldiers who fail to submit their final grades within 30 days will not be approved for FTA for the following semester.
Guard Tuition Incentive Program (GTIP)
The Guard Tuition Incentive Program (GTIP) is a State of Arkansas funded award to assist soldiers with their educational expenses.
Who is eligible?
Soldiers must be enrolled in a State of Arkansas funded college or university to qualify for GTIP. Soldiers cannot receive GTIP for attending vocational schools or private colleges. GTIP is only available for the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer sessions are not included. Soldiers must apply during the application dates:
Fall Application Dates…July 1 – August 15
Spring Application Dates…November 1 – December 15
How much does GTIP pay?
A soldier can receive up $1000 per semester (lesser amounts for part-time enrollment). Summer sessions are not included.
How can a soldier apply for GTIP?
A soldier should contact her/his Unit Readiness NCO or the Education Office to receive a GTIP Application or learn more about the GTIP program.
Kicker Contracts
The ARNG Kicker is an additional benefit or payment to the Reserve GI Bill to encourage the enlistment and retention of quality service members in critical skills or units. A soldier can only be Kicker-eligible once. Active Duty/Prior Service members may be eligible for the Kicker if 1) they enlist in the ARNG no later than 30 days after their REFRAD (release from active duty) or they have completed their military service obligation and have less than 14 years of total military service. Officers without baccalaureate degrees are eligible if they are first or second lieutenants. Kickers may only be used for undergraduate degrees. Soldiers may receive Kickers for up to 36 months.
Eligibility Requirements
Soldiers with no prior service:
- 6x2 enlistment contract,
- AFQT(Armed Forces Qualification Test) score of 50 or more,
- Enlist in a critical MOS (Military Occupational Specialty),
- Enlist into any MTOE(Modified Table of Organization & Equipment) unit approved by NGB(National Guard Bureau),
- Not enlist into an AGR(Active Guard/Reserve) or Federal Military Technician position, and
- Not enlist in a TDA (Temporary Duty Assignment) unit.
Soldiers with prior service:
- 6x2 enlistment contract,
- Enlist into a skill level one or two (SGT and below),
- Qualified for the MOS in which they are enlisting,
- Enlist in any MTOE unit approved by NGB,
- Not enlist into an AGR(Active Guard/Reserve) or Federal Military Technician position, and
- Not enlist in a TDA (Temporary Duty Assignment) unit.
Current ARNG soldier:
- Re-enlist/extend into a skill level one or two (SGT and below),
- Qualified for and re-enlist/extend into any MOS,
- Re-enlist/extend into any MTOE unit approved by NGB,
- Have a 6 year obligation,
- Not enlist into an AGR(Active Guard/Reserve) or Federal Military Technician position, and
- Not enlist in a TDA (Temporary Duty Assignment) unit.
How much does a Kicker pay?
$ 200 per month…non-prior service, prior service and current ARNG soldiers
$ 350 per month…Officer and Warrant Officer Candidates, Simultaneous Membership Program participants.
How can a soldier apply for a Kicker?
A soldier can sign up for a Kicker through her/his recruiter.
Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Chapter 30
As the name implies this is a benefit which individuals receive for serving in the regular (or Big) Army. It can be used to pay for educational classes, licenses or certificates needed to get or keep a job, and apprenticeship programs.
Who is eligible?
Soldiers who:
- Entered active duty after June 30, 1985 (enlistment before 1985 has other qualifying criteria),
- Have a high school diploma or GED,
- Served continuously for 3 years (or 2 yrs if that was the enlistment agreement) or served for 2 years followed by a 4 year commitment to the Selected Reserve (a “2x4”),
- Contributed $1,200 to their educational fund, and
- Have an Honorable Discharge.
How much does the VA pay?
MGIB-AD can pay up to $37,224. A soldier can receive up to $1,034 for 36 months. Part-time enrollment results in a soldier receiving a part of this monthly amount.
How long is the eligibility?
Soldiers are usually eligible for 10 years from the point of discharge.
Are there exceptions?
There are exceptions to all these rules. Soldiers should contact the VA office (1-888-GI-BILL-1) or the Arkansas National Guard MGIB Manager – Andrea Rockefeller (501-212-4018) for specifics on their eligibility.
How can a soldier apply for MGIB-AD?
A soldier must complete VA Form 22-1990. She/he can get this at a college VA office or on-line at http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov or http://www.va.gov/forms.
Montgomery GI Bill – Selective Reserve (MGIB-SR)
Chapter 1606
MGIB-SR is available to members of the Selective Reserve. It does not require a person to serve on active duty to qualify.
Who is eligible?
A soldier who:
- Has completed the initial active duty training (IADT),
- Has after 6/30/85 signed a 6 year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve,
- Received a high school diploma or GED before completing IADT, and
- Is in good standing with a drilling Selective Reserve unit.
Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selective Reserve components.
How much does the VA pay?
The monthly amount paid is based upon the training and the training time of the soldier. The full-time rate is $297. Soldiers may receive up to 36 months of benefits.
How long is the eligibility?
Soldiers whose eligibility began on or after October 1, 1992 are eligible for 14 years from the beginning date of eligibility. Soldiers whose eligibility began prior to October 1, 1992 are eligible for 10 years from the beginning date of eligibility or when a soldier leaves the Selected Reserve, whichever comes first.
Are there exceptions?
There are exceptions to all these rules. Soldiers should contact the VA office 1 (888) GI-BILL-1 or the Arkansas National Guard MGIB Manager – Andrea Rockefeller (501) 212-4018 for specifics on their eligibility.
How can a soldier apply for MGIB-SR?
A soldier must get a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) from her/his unit. A soldier must complete VA Form 22-1990. She/he can get this at a college VA office or on-line at http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov or http://www.va.gov/forms.
Post-Vietnam Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) Chapter 32
This program is for soldiers who served in the regular army between 1977 and 1985. It can be used to pay for educational classes, licenses or certificates needed to get or keep a job, and apprenticeship programs.
Who is eligible?
Soldiers who:
- Have an Honorable Discharge,
- Entered active duty after December 31,1976 and before July 1, 1985,
- Contributed to VEAP before April 1, 1987, and
- Served for 24 continuous months of active duty.
How much does the VA pay?
To participate in this program a soldier must contribute some amount between $25 and $2,700. The soldier receives her/his contribution + matching funds from the VA equal to 2 times the amount contributed. The monthly amount a soldier receives is based upon the total, the number of months of contribution, the type of training and the training time. A soldier receives between 1 and 36 months of benefits depending upon the number of monthly contributions.
How long is the eligibility?
Soldiers are usually eligible for 10 years from the point of discharge.
Are there exceptions?
There are exceptions to all these rules. Soldiers should contact the VA office 1 (888) GI-BILL-1 or the Arkansas National Guard MGIB Manager – Andrea Rockefeller (501) 212-4018 for specifics on their eligibility.
How can a soldier apply for VEAP?
A soldier must complete VA Form 22-1990. She/he can get this at a college VA office or on-line at http://www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov or http://www.va.gov/forms.
Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)
Chapter 1607
This program is for Selected Reserve and National Guard members who have been deployed. There is no delimitation date, soldiers do not have to pay in $1,200 or have a 6x2 enlistment contract (6 yrs of Selective Reserve or Guard + 2 yrs of inactive reserve).
Who is eligible?
A soldier who:
- Currently in the Guard or Reserves,
- Was called to active duty by Congress or the President (This does not include being called to active duty by the Governor.), and
- Served for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001.
How much does the VA pay?
A soldier receives a percentage of Active Duty GI Bill monthly payment ($1.034). The percentage is determined by the amount of time spent on active duty:
90 days to less than 1 year 40% $413.60 per month
1 year but less than 2 years 60% $620.40 per month
2 years or more 80% $827.20 per month
Soldiers can receive 36 months of benefits. Part-time enrollment results in a soldier receiving a part of this monthly amount.
How long is the eligibility?
There is not limit to eligibility as long as the soldier remains in the National Guard or Selected Reserves. A soldier also losses eligibility if she/he participates in a Dedicated Guard ROTC program after becoming eligible.
Are there exceptions?
There are exceptions to all these rules. Soldiers should contact the VA office (1-888-GI-BILL-1) or the Arkansas National Guard MGIB Manager – Andrea Rockefeller (501-212-4018) for specifics on their eligibility.
How can a soldier apply for REAP?
A soldier must complete VA Form 22-1990. She/he can get this at a college VA office or on-line at http://www,vabenefits.vba.va.gov or http://www.va.gov/forms.
Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
The Student Loan Repayment Program will pay apportion of student loans of those who have existing student loan obligations at the time of enlistment. Additionally, current Army National Guard members who extend their enlistment contract for a minimum of six years also may be eligible.
Who is eligible?
Soldiers who:
- Are enlisting for a 6x2 or 8x0 and who have educational loan debt at the time of enlistment, or
- Have served for more than 3 years but less than 14 who reenlist for not less than 3 years, and
- Have not previously received an SLRP,
- Who are entering a designated MOS,
- Who are qualified high school graduates (not GED),
- Remain members in good standing in the National Guard.
How does SLRP pay?
The SLRP will pay off student loans up to $20,000. A portion of the loan is paid each year that the soldier is in the National Guard. Therefore, the actual amount that will be repaid is dependent upon the length of time a soldier remains in the Army National Guard (ARNG), the length of time she/he participates in the SLRP and the amount of the loan(s) borrowed. No interest will be paid. Additionally, loans in default at the time of enlistment, reenlistment, or extension are not eligible for repayment under this program.
Not all available loans can be repaid through SLRP. Signature or collateral loans cannot be repaid. The loan must specifically be an educational loan to qualify for repayment. The following loans qualify for repayment: Federal Stafford Loan (FSL), Federal Supplemental Loan to Students (SLS), some Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Federal Consolidation (FC), Consolidated Loans Program (CLP), Guaranteed Student Loans (GSL), Federal Insured Student Loans (FISL), National Direct Student Loans (NDSL), and Auxiliary Loans to Assist Students (ALAS).
How can a soldier apply for SLRP?
A soldier completes a SLRP contract at the time of enlistment or reenlistment. If you are unsure of your status, contact your recruiter or your full time unit personnel to verify your participation.