Federal Benefits Programs Summary

ARNG Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Program. The ARNG FTA Program provides financial assistance in support of a soldier’s professional and personal self-development goals. To qualify, soldiers must be in the ARNG. ARNG FTA may be used by soldiers to pursue one credential at a secondary school or it’s equivalency, an associate, bachelor or master's degree or a vocational/technical certification or license. Current rates are 100% of the tuition cost, up to $250.00 per semester hour, up to $4,500 per soldier, per fiscal year. Soldiers may also receive up to 100% of authorized fees not to exceed the $4,500 annual cap. ARNG members must utilize the ARNG Federal TA online application process available at www.virtualarmory.com under the education tab when applying for ARNG FTA. Contact your ARNG Federal TA manager at your state for more information.
Reserve GI BILL (Ch 1606). Basic eligibility for the MGIB-AD education program is determined by the service member’s initial entrance on active duty. To qualify ARNG soldiers must have a six-year obligation, complete Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT) and possess a High School Diploma or its equivalency. The program requires no contributions from the member. The Department Veteran Affairs will provide education benefits under this program. Entitlement ends when you separate from the selected reserve or 14 years from the date, you become eligible for the program, whichever is earlier. The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) publishes payment rates on the DVA education website: http://www.gibill.va.gov For more info see the GI Bill website or ARNG GI Bill State Manager.
Active Duty GI BILL (Ch 30). Basic eligibility for the MGIB-AD education program is determined by the service member’s initial entrance on active duty for AGRs. Active Duty members (active component) and ARNG AGR’s and those mobilized 2+ years continuously may elect this entitlement. Soldiers must contribute $1200 to receive this benefit. This program allows ARNG Soldiers to obtain a degree, certification and license tests, on-the-job training, apprenticeship and flight training using Active Duty GI Bill benefits. The DVA will provide education benefits under this program. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs administers monthly payments for the Active Duty GI Bill Program. The DVA education website http://www.gibill.va.gov has the rates available by fiscal year. For more information see the GI Bill web site or call the ARNG GI Bill support team at 1-866-628-5999 or email esc@pec.ngb.army.mil.
Mobilization GI Bill (Ch 1607). Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) is an education assistance program established on 28 October 2004 in recognition of Reserve Component (RC) members’ sacrifices in answering the call to duty. Soldier that served on or after 11 September 2001 for 90 consecutive days or more on active duty may be eligible to receive an increased GI Bill benefit. Department of Veteran Affairs has begun to make payments. ARNG Soldiers need to apply to receive benefit. For more information, see the GI Bill website or ARNG GI Bill State Manager.
ARNG GI BILL Kicker Program. The ARNG GI Bill Kicker is an incentive offered in addition to the MGIB-SR or AD basic benefit for Soldiers who are in critical skills or units. Soldiers must apply for and qualify to receive this additional benefit. Basic eligibility for the ARNG Kicker is a 6-year obligation, a high school diploma and completion of Initial Active Duty for Training as well as other criteria. The ARNG currently offers a $200 MGIB Kicker for Non Prior Service (NPS) Applicants (certain critical skills, category I-IIIA only), prior service applicants/soldiers and current ARNG soldiers (MOS qualified only), and current ARNG Lieutenants. A $350 Kicker is also available to ARNG Officer/Warrant Officer Candidates and Simultaneous Members (SMP). Contact your recruiter, the unit administrator or your ARNG GI Bill manager for assistance.
Student Loan Repayment Program. For members that have an existing student loan obligation at the time of enlistment or reenlistment in the Army National Guard, there is a program that may pay up to $20,000 for a six or eight year enlistment as a member of a unit. In addition, current Army National Guard members who extend their enlistment contract for a minimum period of six years are also eligible for this program providing they meet certain requirements. See an Army National Guard recruiter or your State Point of Contact.
The Healthcare Professionals Loan Repayment Program. For AMEDD officers that have an existing student loan obligation at the time of joining the ARNG or acquired during time as a member in the Army National Guard, there is a program that may pay up to $50,000 while a member of the ARNG. In addition, current Army National Guard officers who extend their initial military service obligation may also be eligible for this program providing they meet certain requirements. An Army National Guard recruiter or your State Point of Contact can provide more details.
Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarships. Scholarships dedicated to perspective and current Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) participants simultaneously serving as members of the ARNG or USAR. Cadets electing the GRFD Program can compete for one of the 208 scholarships given each year. If otherwise eligible, the reserve GI Bill can be used with this program. If eligible, the reserve GI Bill can be used with this program if MOS qualified. Upon graduation, cadets are commissioned and incur a military service obligation of eight years in a Reserve Component of the Army. Cadets participating in this program are non-deployable. Contact the ARNG Officer Accession POC at your state or find more information at www.rotc.monroe.army.mil.
Dedicated ARNG ROTC Scholarships. Scholarships dedicated exclusively for students wanting to serve in the ARNG. No less than one hundred, two and four year ROTC scholarships are allocated each year. Scholarship recipients incur an eight-year military service obligation with the ARNG upon completion of ROTC and commissioning. The scholarship pays 100 percent of tuition and fees up to $17,000.00 per school year. The Reserve GI Bill cannot be used simultaneously with this program.
SOC GUARD. SOC Guard staffed with ARNG representatives, provides educational outreach services for the ARNG including college workshops, campus visits, accreditation inquiries, education-related mobilization issues and ARNG's apprenticeship program and presentations at higher education conferences. For more info on SOC/SOC Guard visit, www.soc.aascu.org or call 1-800-368-5622.
Free Testing, Certification, and Licensing. Services available to ARNG soldiers include a comprehensive examination program with over one hundred fifty college level exams that equate to college credit, numerous certification examinations that match soldier MOS skills with a comparable civilian credential and apprenticeship programs, various distance learning opportunities and numerous publications and brochures. For more information on free testing, certification and licensing services see your ARNG State Education Office or call 1-866-628-5999.
Library Education Resource Center. U.S. Army General Library Program and Peterson's provide free access to a comprehensive education program, which helps you prepare for important exams and plan your career. At this web site, you can review study materials, access practice tests for various exams i.e. ASVAB, Military Flight Aptitude Test, Officer Candidate Tests, Academic Skills, CLEP and DSST.
Troops to Teachers. Troops to Teachers (TTT) provides referral assistance and placement service to military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserves, interested in beginning a second career as a teacher in K-12 public education. The DANTES Troops to Teacher office helps registrants identify teacher certification requirements, programs leading to certification, employment opportunities, and financial aid for eligible participants. Financial assistance may be provided to eligible individuals as stipends up to $5K to help pay for teacher certification costs or as bonuses of $10K to teach in schools serving a high percentage of students from low-income families. Participants who accept the Stipend or Bonus must agree to teach for three years in targeted schools in accordance with the authorizing legislation. Contact your ARNG State education office for more information.
Spouses to Teachers. Spouses to Teachers (STT) is a Department of Defense pilot project. The program provides support to spouses of ARNG soldiers in select states in their pursuit of K-12 teaching positions in both public and private schools in the U.S. Information and services related to becoming a teacher include state certification requirements, counseling and guidance on certification options, application assistance for transferring teacher certification from one state to another, financial assistance and State employment guidance. Maximum available financial assistance is $600.00 per person. The STT web site (www.SpousestoTeachers.com) provides information and links useful for those spouses interested in a teaching career.
Army e-Learning (Smart Force). An Army Computer Based Training (CBT) System that provides free access to over 1,500 Information Technology, Business Skills, and Interpersonal Skills courses and personal mentoring. These courses are accredited and may provide transfer college credit and may count for promotion points. For further info and to enroll call 1-888-395-0014 x2620, or visit: www.atrrs.army.mil/channels/eLearning/smartforce/.
eDISCOVER. DISCOVER is a career, college and job search online educational guidance program. All members, their dependents and employees of the ARNG are eligible. Obtain a free user ID and password (token) from the ARNG ESC (1-866-628-5999) or your ARNG State Education Office.
Army Academic Training Transcripts (AARTS). The Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) documents military training, experience and various college level testing programs. Colleges use the AARTS transcript to determine what college credit they will grant and employers use it to determine what skills ARNG soldiers possess that will assist on the job. To obtain a free AARTS transcript, visit their web site at www.aarts.army.mil.
Student Guide to Success (Free Test-Out Preparation). Study and test out of college courses! This program is designed to enhance the ability of the student to pass college credit examinations by the use of multi-media, Hollywood style videos CD's and Audio Cassettes and associated textbooks in the same or similar subjects. For more information contact esc@pec.ngb.army.mil or call 1-866-628-5999.
Educational Counseling. Education counselors are available to help answer your questions and put you on the right track. In addition, after you submit an application to the ESC, a counselor will be personally assigned to work with you until degree completion. For more information contact esc@pec.ngb.army.mil or call 1-866-628-5999.
Degree Planning. The ARNG ESC will review your AARTS transcript and build your personalized college degree plan by consolidating your earned credit from the following sources: Military training, college level testing (CLEP, DSST, ECE), independent study courses, traditional college courses and corporate training. Once your assessment is complete, your credit is merged into a college degree plans that is tailored to meet your educational goals. Colleges will accept all or a portion of this credit which will save you valuable time and money. For more information contact esc@pec.ngb.army.mil or call 1-866-628-5999.
Apprenticeships and OJT Programs. This is an opportunity to gain civilian employment while in the ARNG. Several states have programs that equate to civilian jobs. ARNG members may be able to be paid their GI Bill benefits while working in their civilian job. Military skills that are registered apprenticeships occupations are jobs in fields such as mechanics, installers and repairers, medical technicians, therapists, computer network engineers and web site developers, and many, many others. For more information contact esc@pec.ngb.army.mil or call 1-866-628-5999.
ARNG Education Support Center (ESC). The Army National Guard Education Support Center (ARNG ESC) answers your education and benefit questions. The ESC is a unique organization available only to the Army National Guard. It is the One-Stop-Shop for Education Benefits for Soldiers of the Army National Guard, their dependents, and civilian employees of the Guard. The services offered have grown tremendously since its inception and projected to continue growing. The ARNG ESC is located at the Professional Education Center in Little Rock, AR. Services are available 12 hours each day from 6am to 6pm central standard time. The ARNG ESC can be reached toll free at
1-866-628-5999 or via e-mail at esc@pec.ngb.army.mil.