What Educational Benefits are Available to Me?

1. What Educational Benefits are Available to Me? To date, there are 14 Voluntary Education Programs available to assist ARNG Soldiers in their educational pursuits. Three areas concern- ing benefits you may be entitled to include: Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) or ACES TA, the MT National Guard Scholarship Program, and the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) or Active Army TA (ACES) Application for FTA for Traditional Soldiers: Eligibility for FTA hinges on active satisfactory participation (drill status) in the ARNG. Comple- tion of IADT is not a factor. Submit your application on-line at www.virtualarmory.com. After entering the website, click on Federal Tuition Assistance. This will send you into a different website. You will need your AKO Username/Password. Click on Apply for Tuition Assistance. Follow the instructions. You will receive a confirmation email once your application is received by the MTARNG Education Office. Application for ACES TA for AGRs: Go into www.goarmyed.com. If you are a new user, you will need to request a Username/ Password. Download the Statement of Understanding (SOU). Fort Carson, CO is our servicing Education Center for AGRs. They will upload your TA Request to the GoArmyEdPortal. Fax/scan your SOU, School Name, Degree Program, and copy of AGR Orders to 719-526-2105 or douglas.e.mckenzie@conus.army.mil. POC # is 719-526-8055 or 719-526-2124. MT NG Scholarship Program Montana National Guard Members may qualify to receive up to $1200 per term/semester to assist with college education. The Montana Legislature again funded the MT NG Scholarship Program with $500,000 to be used during the biennium period of 1 July 2007 through 30 June 2009. The funding is shared by both Soldiers and Airmen and is administered on a first come first service basis, pending the availability of funds. A stipend of up to $400, with a maximum annual payment of $1000, will be available to those who qualify for Federal Tuition Assistance. Those who do not qualify for FTA will be eligible to receive $75 per credit up to $1200 per semester with a maximum annual payment of $2400. Unit Members eligible for the Scholarship Program should complete Sections I and II of the application form and submit it to their unit full-timer for further processing as soon as they have been accepted or enrolled at a Montana State Institution of Higher Learning in an undergraduate degree-granting program, 2-year vocational technical college, or Veterans Administration (VA) Approved MT Training Program. This benefit does not include graduate degree programs. Church affiliated schools are excluded. Schools with physical locations on Malstrom AFB are included. Money will be reserved up-front. Payment will not be made until grades have been submitted to the appropriate entity. See DMAMT Circular 621 for the Eligibility Criteria and application form at http://ngmtc2-30000-02/hro/education.cfm or contact your unit full-timer. Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) ARNG Soldiers may receive benefits from any of the four MGIB programs if they meet the eligibility requirements. The four programs include: MGIB - Selected Reserve (SR) -Chapter 1606; Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) – Chapter 1607; the MGIB Kicker Program; and MGIB – Active Duty (AD). For information regarding the MGIB (ie. current rates, eligibility criteria, application forms, frequently asked questions, etc.) log on to www.gibill.va.gov. If unsure whether you qualify for any of the MGIB programs, contact your unit full-timer. Log into www.gibill.va.gov to apply for benefits. Complete VA Form 22-1990. (This is an initial application that only needs to be completed one time. You do not need to wait until you are enrolled in a school/training program to apply). Submit this on-line. Additionally, print out a hard copy and mail the form plus a copy of all DD Form 214s to MT’s VA Regional Office – located in St. Louis (the address is on the form). It may take up to 12 weeks for processing. Upon approval, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) will send you a certificate of eligibility. Upon enrollment into a VA Approved Education Program, visit the VA Representative located at your school/training program. Present the VA Rep with your certificate of eligibility. The VA Rep will complete a VA Form 22-1999 (Enrollment Certification) form and submit to DVA. If you have not received your certificate of eligibility after 12 weeks, call 1-888-GIBILL1 (442-4551) to speak with a DVA Education Case Manager. The counselors are there to service you and welcome your direct call.

2. 11 more Programs!! The programs listed below are also available to assist ARNG Soldiers in their educational pursuits: Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): Money to repay student loans. Health Professional Loan Repayment (HPLR): Money to repay loans for AMEDD officers. ROTC Scholarships: Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty and Dedicated Army National Guard. eDISCOVER: Career self-assessment, counseling tool. AARTS: Documentation of military training/experience. Available at http://aarts.army.mil. Troops to Teachers: http://www.proudtoserveagain.com. Spouses to Teachers: http://www.spousestoteachers.com. Army eLearning: Hundreds of vocational/prep programs for promotion points/potential college credit. Student Guide to Success: Free test preparation (videos, materials, etc.) to test out of college examinations. Testing/Certification and Licensing: Testing opportunities to help Soldiers gain college credit and credentials. Military Counselors WebBoard: A place for education counselors to share/ discuss information on educational issues. Helpful Information Q: I received educational benefits under The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (Chapter 31). Am I eligible to receive FTA as well? A: No. This would constitute a duplication of benefits. See paragraph E2.1.6 of the DODI 1322.25. Q: I’m a Traditional Guardsman. Are there any educational benefits for my spouse/dependents? A: Two scholarship programs are available: The MT NG Thrift Shop Scholarship and the CCM Roger K. Larsen Scholarship. Spouses are able to CLEP and the MTARNG Educ Svc Ofc offers free counseling and can proctor exams. Another idea: Google ‘Scholarships’. There are hundreds of nationwide scholarship opportunities available to spouses and dependents. Q: What is a NOBE and how do I get one? A: This is your Notice of Basic Eligibility for the MGIB-SR, DD Form 2384-1. You can print this yourself from www.nationalguardbenefits.com. If unable to access this form, contact your unit full-timer. Q: I am taking a summer on-line course. The start/end dates are 22 Jun 07–14 Aug 07. Do I qualify for the MT NG Scholarship Program? A: No. Your Courses Start Date must have a begin date of 1 July 2007 or forward in order to qualify for this biennium. Q: I am considering applying for the MT Law Enforcement Academy. Can I use my MGIB? A: Yes. To verify and research other programs approved for VA training, go to www.gibill.va.gov. Click on Education Benefits. Then, click on Search for Approved Education Programs. Type in requested information and begin your search. You may be amazed at all of the approved non-accredited and accredited programs - do a MT Specific search or type in key word(s). For further guidance, click on Education Benefits. Then click on Education Programs Covered by the GI Bill. Q: This brochure is helpful, but I still have questions. Where should I start? A: Your chain of command. Next, your unit full-timer. We’re here to serve you. You may also contact the MTARNG Education Service Office direct at 406-324-3238. Montana Army National Guard ARNG VOLUNTARY Education Programs 1 July 2007 Get CUTE: Competent, Up to date, Technically proficient, and Educated. REFERENCES : AR 621-5 dtd 060711 DODI 1322.25 dtd 970205 ARNG Vol Educ Programs (NGB-ARM Policy #07-13) dtd 070316 ARNG Federal Tuition Assistance, (NGB-ARM Pol #07-15) dtd 070515 DMAMT Circular 621 dtd 070701