education resources

Explore every benefit that can help you learn, earn and advance.

national guard education resources

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Financial Aid & Tuition

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)

Covers up to $250/semester hour for up to 16 credit hours per fiscal year for eligible Soldiers pursuing off-duty education at accredited colleges.

Authorized Rates and Fees for FTA

Reference page listing the official approved payment rates, per-credit-hour limits and allowable fees under the Federal Tuition Assistance program.

GI Bill Programs Overview

Hub page covering all GI Bill options available to Guard members, including Post-9/11 (Ch. 33), Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Ch. 1606) and the Army National Guard Kicker.

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)

For Soldiers with 90+ days of active duty post-9/11. Can cover up to 100% of tuition, plus a housing allowance and book stipend. Benefits may be transferable to dependents.

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

The MGIB-SR is a benefit administered by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) that provides basic educational assistance for traditional/M-day Soldiers actively serving in the Selected Reserve.

GI Bill Kicker

A supplement to the Montgomery GI Bill for Soldiers in critical MOSs and units, paying up to $350/month (up to $12,600 over 36 months) on top of standard GI Bill benefits.

Financial Aid

Overview of broader financial aid options beyond military-specific programs, including federal grants, loans and work-study programs available to Guard Soldiers and families.

College Scholarships

Information on Guard-affiliated scholarships such as DEDNG, GRFD, and Minuteman Scholarships, covering tuition, room/board, book stipends and monthly allowances for full-time students.

Additional Education Funding Resources

Supplemental page linking to external and state-level funding opportunities beyond federal programs, including state tuition assistance and other financial resources.

Spouse Education Support

Details the MyCAA Scholarship and other programs helping military spouses pursue portable career credentials, associate degrees, and licensures, with up to $4,000 in lifetime assistance.

Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

Helps eligible Soldiers and officer candidates repay qualifying Title IV federal student loans — up to $50,000 — as an enlistment or reenlistment incentive.

College Planning & Support

College Overview

Top-level overview of how the Guard supports college education through tuition assistance, counseling and test prep. Starting point for Soldiers exploring higher education options.

Education Support Programs

Covers a range of Guard-sponsored support services including tutoring, basic skills improvement and programs designed to help Soldiers succeed academically.

College Planning and Assistance

Guidance on selecting schools, degree programs and planning an academic path while balancing Guard service. May connect Soldiers with state Education Services Officers (ESOs).

Helpful Links

A curated collection of external resources for education planning, including VA, GoArmyEd, DANTES, college databases and other official military education portals.

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

Allows college students enrolled in ROTC to also serve in the National Guard simultaneously, earning both ROTC stipends and Guard drill pay while pursuing a commission.

SAT / ACT

Information on SAT and ACT exam access for Guard members. Note: DANTES no longer reimburses these exams after 2021; service members register and fund directly through the testing agencies.

Education Counseling Services

Connects Guard members with state-level Education Services Officers (ESOs) who provide personalized academic guidance, degree planning and counseling for education benefits.

College Credit Exams

Overview of CLEP and DSST exams funded by DANTES that allow Soldiers to earn college credit for existing knowledge, bypassing introductory courses and saving time and tuition costs.

DANTES Programs

Overview of all Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) programs, including college credit exams, study guides, career counseling tools and online courses.

GMAT

Information on GMAT access and preparation resources for Guard members pursuing MBA or other graduate business programs.

GRE

Information on Graduate Record Examination (GRE) access and preparation resources for Guard members pursuing graduate school programs in fields other than business.

Career, Vocational & Credentials

Credentialing Assistance

Provides up to $2,000/year toward civilian professional credentials (1,800+ options via Army COOL), including CDLs, EMT, CompTIA, private pilot licenses and more.

Apprenticeship Programs

Details on the U.S. Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) and GI Bill-funded registered apprenticeships, allowing Soldiers to earn trade credentials and journeyman status while serving.

Army Personnel Testing

Covers standardized military testing programs (ASVAB, AFCT, SIFT) used for career placement, promotion eligibility and aviation training qualification.

Certification & Licensure Programs

Explores professional licensure paths in fields such as healthcare, technology, construction, and transportation — many eligible for GI Bill reimbursement or Credentialing Assistance funding.

Officer Pathways

ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps)

Allows Guard Soldiers to earn their officer commission while completing a college degree. Through the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), cadets earn both ROTC stipends and Guard drill pay and may be eligible for GRFD or DEDNG scholarships.

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