Utah National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program
The Utah
National Guard is scheduled to receive funding for State Tuition Assistance (STA) in fiscal year 2012 to help our Soldiers/Airmen pursue their civilian education goals. STA 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/Airmen 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 STA each Soldier/Airman is entitled to receive will not exceed $4,500 per year.
The 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/Airmen can also receive STA for distance learning courses.
Soldiers/Airmen may use STA 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/Airmen who have not obtained a Master's degree are eligible to use STA 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 will not be funded by STA.
Applying for State Tuition Assistance
Enclosed are forms and instructions for the State Tuition Assistance (STA) program. Although you may have used STA in the past, please read all instructions thoroughly. Any incorrect or incomplete applications will be returned.
State Tuition Assistance is an "up front" payment program. Applications must be received in the Education Service Office (ESO) prior to the course start date. Applications will be processed on a "first come first served" basis due to the availability of funds.
Soldiers/Airmen must provide the ESO a grade report within 30 days following the completion of the school term.
View and Print Application forms
1. State Tuition Assistance Application Form(PDF)
2. Statement of Understanding (SOU)(PDF).The SOU must be read and signed by each Soldier/Airman applying for STA.
Where do I Email the application packet?
NGUT.STA@us.army.mil
Can I use STA and Montgomery GI Bill benefits for the same courses?
In FY04, beginning on 1 October 2003, Soldiers/Airmen who are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve, Chapter 1606 (and/or the MGIB Kicker Program) may receive STA 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, STA, 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 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 STA 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 State Tuition Assistance together?
Yes, in the case where a Soldier/Airman is eligible for both State Tuition Assistance(STA) and a Pell Grant, STA 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 STA program hinges upon the amount of funds provided to the Utah National Guard by National Guard Bureau each fiscal year. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that a Soldier/Airman will receive tuition assistance under this program. STA is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Soldiers/Airmen must apply for STA prior to the beginning of ths school term.
Do I incur a service commitment if I accept STA funding?
Enlisted Soldiers/Airmen 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 STA is provided.
