The link below is a tutorial designed to give you individual guidance on which Tuition Assistance program to apply for and when to apply. It will also answer the most commonly asked questions about Tuition Assistance.
The National Guard Education Assistance Program (NGEAP)
This is a state funded tuition assistance program that pays schools "up front" for the cost of tuition for the soldier.
ELIGIBILITY:
- Iowa Resident (determined by The Adjutant General of Iowa)
- Active members of the Iowa Army or Air National Guard
(satisfactory performance of duty)
- Have completed Initial Entry Training (Basic Training & Advanced Individual Training)
- Not met requirements for a baccalaureate degree
- Attending a North Central Association (NCA) accredited
community college, university, or private college or university
in Iowa
FUNDING: Based on
annual appropriation by the Iowa state legislature, NGEAP pays at least 50%
of the tuition rate at state Board of Regents schools (Iowa, Iowa State University, University
of Northern Iowa) or
50% of the tuition rate at the institution attended by the national guard
member, whichever is lower. Current funding levels from the state
legislature allow NGEAP to pay full tuition rates up to the Regents rate.
The maximum award for school year 2007-2008 is $3,135 per semester or $223
per credit hour for part time students. NGEAP does not cover summer
courses. NGEAP funds school between August and May.
APPLICATION: Apply online at
https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/csac/ngeap/.
A hardcopy form is acceptable for those who do not have access to a computer. Hardcopy
applications should be submitted through the unit and must arrive to the Education Services Office prior to the application deadline.
DEADLINES: 31 August 2007 for the fall term and 15 December 2007 for the spring term.
Late applications will be considered for approval on a case by case basis and must include remarks explaining why the application was submitted late.
THE PROCESS: The Education Services Officer approves the applications from an online
database. The Iowa College Student Aid Commission (ICSAC) produces an
approved roster which is sent to the schools. School officials verify the
soldiers are enrolled and request payment from ICSAC. ICSAC releases funds
to the schools and the schools then credit the soldiers' accounts. The
approved roster is also sent to the Education Services Officer and placed on
Army Knowledge Online (AKO) in the Education File.
Note: If a soldier changes schools between semesters or is attending two schools at the same
time (community college and a university) they need to inform the school(s)
that they are receiving NGEAP. The school will not automatically see the
soldier on the approved roster if they switched schools or are attending two
schools.
Federal Tuition Assistance Program (ARNG-FTA)
The Army National Guard Federal Tuition Assistance (ARNG-FTA) program is a federally funded tuition
assistance program that pays schools “up front” for the cost of tuition and
associated fees for the soldier.
- All Army National Guard (ARNG) traditional soldiers in an active drilling status are eligible for
ARNG-FTA
- Mobilized or deployed ARNG Officers will be funded with ARNG-FTA
- Mobilized or deployed ARNG enlisted whose course start date
or end date occur outside their active duty orders
Who is NOT eligible?
- Soldiers who have accrued 9 or more AWOLs/UNSATs in
the previous 12 months, at time of application
- AGRs (Title 10/32),
civilian employees, or mobilized enlisted soldiers’ whose course
start and end dates fall within their active duty orders
Examples of soldiers in the Iowa Army National Guard who receive ARNG-FTA:
- REP 63s (Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) Warriors)
- Graduate students
- Soldiers attending a college or university outside Iowa (to
include online courses)
- All summer students
FUNDING: The Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
program is a 100% tuition assistance program up to $250 per semester hour,
$167 per quarter hour, or $16.66 per clock hour and up to $4500 per fiscal
year (OCT-SEP). The $4500 annual max can also be applied to fees that are
directly associated with classes (i.e. lab fees, computer fees). ARNG-FTA
does not cover fees such as; Health Services Fees, Building of Facility
Fees, Student Activity Fees. Soldiers must provide details of the fees in
the Remarks block of the online application. ARNG-FTA cannot be used for
books unless they are reflected in the cost of tuition.
AUTHORIZED LEVELS: Soldiers may use ARNG-FTA to receive one degree or credential from each of
the following levels. ARNG-FTA may be used for lateral or lower level
degrees only if ARNG-FTA was not used to obtain the first degree at that
level.
- Secondary School Diploma or its equivalent (GED)
- Certificate
- Associate
- Baccalaureate
- Masters or First Professional
APPLICATION: Apply
online at
https://www.nationalguardbenefits.com/ under the Education tab.
** Hardcopy forms are not accepted for ARNG-FTA.
DEADLINES: Applications for ARNG-FTA must be submitted prior to the start date of the
course. Late applications will be considered for approval on a case by case
basis.
THE PROCESS: Soldier applies at
https://www.nationalguardbenefits.com/ under Education Tab.
The application is imported
into the web based database, iMARC. Education Services Officer or Federal
Tuition Assistance Manager checks eligibility and approves application. Application is emailed to
the school. School invoices Education Office and
invoice is paid either by Government Visa or EFT from USPFO-IA. The school
credits soldier’s account. Soldiers need to notify the Education Services
Office of any changes in classes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
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