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National Guard & Reserve Tuition Assistance

Updated | Michelle Nati
national guard and reserve tuition assistance

National Guard & Reserve Tuition Assistance

If you currently serve in the Guard or Reserves, you’re probably wondering if there’s a specific National Guard or Reserve Tuition Assistance (TA) program to use. What you’re looking for falls under Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA), which helps those in the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and many Reserve components pay for school at military-friendly colleges.

Army National Guard Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance for Guard and Reserve members is now handled through the ArmyIgnitED portal. The annual cap is $4,500, and you can now knock out 18 semester hours a year. If you’re a first-time user, you’ll need to register with ArmyIgnitED and create a profile before you can request funds.

FTA Eligibility

As a member of the Army National Guard, you are eligible for FTA immediately after completion of AIT, WOBC, or BOLC. Just make sure the university or college you’re looking at is nationally accredited and part of the Army program. Also, keep in mind that you can’t use FTA for a lower or lateral-level degree. Finally, since FTA is tuition-only, you’ll still be on the hook for fees and other costs that aren’t part of your official degree plan.

Make sure to reach out to your state’s education services office to double-check your eligibility. If you’re eligible, set up an ArmyIgnitED account and submit an application. Once you’re approved, you can start classes. You’ll need to do this within 60 to seven days before your class starts, or the system will automatically block the application.

Air National Guard

Air Guard members can also get TA benefits, so double-check your specific state’s perks to know what you qualify for. Plus, you’ve always got the option to work toward an associate’s degree through the Community College of the Air Force. (CCAF).

Tuition Assistance for the Reserve

If you’re in the Reserve, there are a few main rules you need to follow to get your tuition covered. You can get all of your tuition paid for, up to a $4,500 cap each fiscal year, as long as you’re in good standing.

You also need to pick a specific degree goal for the Air Force Reserve or Army Reserve by your second course (i.e., sixth credit hour). Again, the goal has to be a higher degree than any you already have, and you’ve got to finish the class before your contract is up. If you’re an officer, you need to have at least four years of service remaining after the course ends.

Things work a little differently for applications to the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve. Unlike other branches, they don’t provide TA for ‘drilling’ reservists. To qualify, Sailors and Marines must be on continuous active duty orders for at least 120 days.

If you aren’t on those long-term orders, you’ll have to look into state-specific grants or the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) to help cover your costs. All Reservist applications must be approved at least 7 days before class starts, whereas the Marines allow submissions up to the day before class starts at the military-friendly college of your choice.

Army Reserve Tuition Assistance

If you’re going for a degree in the Army Reserve, the program covers up to $250 per semester hour (or $166 per credit hour) within that $4,500 annual cap. You’ll handle all of this through the ArmyIgnitED portal.

Air Force Reserve Tuition Assistance

The Air Force Reserve follows standard DoD guidelines. If you’re going through the CCAF for an associate’s degree, you don’t have to worry about the “progressive education” rule. You can apply for everything via the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) portal.

Coast Guard Reserve Tuition Assistance

To get TA in the Coast Guard, you need to be on active duty, a member of the Selected Reserve (SELRES), or a permanent civilian employee. The annual cap here is also $4,500. Tuition is covered up to $250 per semester hour or $166.67 per credit hour. Also, Coast Guard Reservists can use TA for a second degree, though you’re still limited to just one Master’s degree. You can apply via MyCG Ed.

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About the author

Michelle Nati is a contributing writer to CollegeRecon who has written about higher education and finance for Granita Media/Big Edition site Work and Money. She's also written law content for Leaf Group's Legal Beagle site and is a ghostwriter of non-fiction books. She lives in Los Angeles and spends her spare time combing flea markets for vintage photos and decor and playing with her dogs, Jellybean and Jukebox.

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