ARNG Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)

Overview:

The ARNG Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Program provides financial assistance to part-time ARNG soldiers in support of their professional and personal self-development goals.

Note: Annual ARNG education policy is published by National Guard Bureau, NGB-ARM.

Eligibility:

  • Must have a valid expense from an accredited school.
  • For traditional part-time drilling soldiers, members on ADSW / ADT, or mobilized commissioned officers.
  • Eligible beginning the day member joins ARNG, even. prior to boot camp or AIT or while yet in High School.
  • Officers must serve 4 years after course completion.
  • Enlisted must simply remain in the ARNG during term of courses.
  • Members receiving an ROTC scholarship are not eligible.

Benefit: (effective 1 Oct 2004)

  • 100% of tuition and authorized fees with tuition caps of: $250 per semester hour, and $167 per quarter hour.
    • An authorized fee is a fee charged to all students for enrollment purposes or is directly related to the instruction of the course.
    • Ccredentials at the associate, bachelor, or master degree level and a vocational/technical certification and licensing.
  • $4,500 max per soldier, per FY, including fees.
  • High School or equivalency level may be funded at 100% of tuition and fees, but are still limited to the $4,500 annual cap.
  • May be used with the MGIB-Selected Reserve (SR) or MGIB-Active Duty (AD) for the same course based on the following;
    • MGIB-SR participants must be enrolled at least ½ time or more to combine benefits.
    • MGIB-AD participants who are drawing GI Bill-Kicker benefits are NOT eligible for ARNG FTA.
  • ARNG recommends that schools apply FTA prior to Pell Grants, to allow for maximizing benefit for student financial needs.

Note: ARNG FTA operates on a limited budget and is NOT a guaranteed benefit. It is offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

How to Apply:

  1. Apply to an ‘accredited’ school/program. School must be accredited by a regional or national accrediting association recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Click here to see if your college is accredited.
  2. Apply online within the virtual armory website under the Education tab’s "online applications"
  3. “For more help find your State Point of Contacts under the ‘Contacts’ tab.”