Army National Guard (ARNG) Federal Tuition Assistance Program
ARNG FTA can be applied to a course or program taken at a regionally or nationally accredited, public or private college, university, vocational, technical or trade school located inside or outside the State of Utah.
Soldiers may receive up to $250 per semester hour. This amount cannot exceed 100% of the tuition cost for a course. The total amount of ARNG FTA each soldier is entitled to receive in FY12 will not exceed $4,500 per year.
The ARNG Federal TA program may also fund clock hours for vocational and technical training courses and certificates offered by non-degree-granting accredited institutions. A formula is used to convert the clock hours to credit hours and the semester hour spending cap and annual caps are applied.
Soldiers can also receive ARNG FTA for distance learning courses.
Soldiers may use ARNG FTA to receive one credential from each of the following levels:
1). Secondary School (High School) Diploma or its equivalency (GED);
2). Certificate (undergraduate, graduate, vocational, technical, licensure);
3). Associate degree;
4). Baccalaureate degree;
5). Master's degree or First Professional Degree.
Note: Only soldiers who have not obtained a Master's degree are eligible to use ARNG FTA for a first professional degree. Examples of first professional degrees include: Architecture, Certified Public Accountant, Podiatry (D.P.M.), Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.), Medicine (M.D.), Optometry (O.D.), Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Pharmacy (D. Phar.), Law (J.D.), and Theology (M. Div or M.H.L.).
Doctoral degree programs cannot be funded by ARNG Federal TA.
Applying for Federal Tuition Assistance
Enclosed are forms and instructions for the Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) program. Although you may have used FTA in the past, please read all instructions thoroughly. Any incorrect or incomplete applications will be returned.
Upon completion of enrollment, student must
log on to NATIONAL GUARD BENEFITS ONLINE- web page.
https://www.goarmyed.com
Federal Tuition Assistance is an "up front" payment program. Applications must be received in the ESO prior to the course start date. Applications will be processed on a "first come first served" basis due to the availability of funds.
Soldier must provide the Education Service Office a grade report within 30 days following the completion of the school term.
Can I mail the application packet?
No. You must use the
above link to submit your FTA form electronically. Money is allocated based on the number of applications submitted thru
above link; therefore, it helps Utah to receive more education funds by submitting your application via
the
https://www.goarmyed.com web
site.
National Guard Benefits Online
Can I use ARNG FTA and Montgomery GI Bill benefits for the same courses?
In FY04, beginning on 1 October 2003, soldiers who are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve, Chapter 1606 (and/or the MGIB Kicker Program) may receive ARNG FTA up to the current authorized levels provided the student is enrolled at least 1/2 time or more. The Department of Veterans Affairs defines 1/2 time as enrollment in between 6 and 8 credits or semester hours, which is generally considered to be enrollment in two classes at the same time. In this case, ARNG FTA, the MGIB-SR and the MGIB Kicker Programs may be combined and may exceed 100 percent of tuition costs.
Soldiers eligible to receive the MGIB-Active Duty, Chapter 30, the Veteran’s Education Assistance Program (VEAP), Chapter 34 or Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA), Chapter 35 are eligible to receive ARNG Federal TA simultaneously for the same course and exceed 100 percent of tuition costs provided they have not contracted for a MGIB Kicker in the ARNG. Soldiers eligible to receive the MGIB-AD, VEAP or DEA who have contracted for a MGIB Kicker in the ARNG may only use ARNG FTA for course(s) that are beyond what is considered full-time enrollment by the school. The Department of Veterans Affairs defines full-time enrollment as 12 or more credit or semester hours.
Can I use my Pell Grant and Federal Tuition Assistance together?
Yes, in the case where a soldier is eligible for both Federal Tuition Assistance(FTA) and a Pell Grant, FTA will be used first to pay tuition cost. This allows the Pell Grant to be used for other necessary expenses.
Is funding guaranteed?
The viability of the ARNG FTA program hinges upon the amount of funds provided to the Utah Army National Guard by National Guard Bureau each fiscal year. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that a soldier will receive tuition assistance under this program. ARNG FTA is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Soldiers must apply for ARNG FTA prior to the beginning of ths school term.
Do I incur a service commitment if I accept ARNG FTA funding?
- Enlisted soldiers and warrant officers must have sufficient time remaining before their current service obligation/Expiration Term of Service (ETS) to complete the course unless involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge.
- Commissioned officers must have four (4) years of Selected Reserve service remaining from the date of completion of the course for which FTA is provided.
