FY03 ARNG Education Program

1
ARNG Education Programs Summary
2
ARNG Education Programs

• Tuition Assistance (Active Army ARNG)
• GI Bill Programs (Active, Reserve, Mobilized
  Kicker)
• Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
• Healthcare Professionals Loan Repayment (HPLR)
• ROTC Scholarship Programs
• Testing Licensing/Certification Programs
• Troops to Teachers
• Spouse to Teachers
• Army e-Learning
• SOC Programs (SOC Guard)
• e-Discover
• Army Academic Training Transcripts (AARTS)
• Student Guide to Success (Free Test-Out
  Preparation)
• Educational Counseling
• Degree Planning
• Apprenticeship OJT Programs
• ARNG Education Support Center

3
Federal Tuition Assistance (TA)

• Federal TA (FTA)
• Available to Soldiers
• State funded education programs
• May vary among states

4
ARNG Federal Tuition Assistance

• Eligibility
• Be a member of the ARNG
• Completion of IADT is NOT required
• Officers must serve 4 years after course
  completion
• Enlisted must have enough remaining obligation
  for the length of the course
• Have valid expenses from an accredited school
  (tuition or fees)
• How to Apply
• Online at the education tab on the Virtual Armory
• Available at www.virtualarmory.com

5
ARNG FTA

• Current Benefit
• 100 of tuition/fees for high school equivalency
• 100 of tuition, up to 250 per semester hour
• 4,500 max per Soldier, per FY, including fees
• An authorized fee is a fee charged to all
  students for enrollment purposes or is directly
  related to the course
• One credential at the associate, bachelor, or
  master degree level and a vocational/technical
  certification
• Courses can be taken in classroom or via distance
  learning
• Credit by Examination tests in lieu of taking
  courses
• Note ARNG FTA is NOT a guaranteed benefit - it
  is subject to funding availability

6
Active Army ACES TA

• Eligibility
• Currently serving Active Duty Soldiers
• Includes Title 10/32 Soldiers in AGR status
• Includes enlisted ARNG Soldiers who are federally
  mobilized
• Active Army education centers will verify that
  applicant has active duty orders covering period
  of anticipated courses
• Currently, officers must have 2 year active duty
  orders (service obligation)
• Note ARNG Soldiers serving as ADSW/ADT who are
  deemed not eligible for ACES TA remain eligible
  for ARNG FTA

7
ACES TA

• How to Apply
• Apply with servicing Active Army Education Center
  (ACES)
• OIF / OEF / deployments OCONUS
• May be serviced by deployment site (Active Army)
  or
• Power Projection Platforms
• Locate your servicing site at https//www.armyeduc
  ation.army.mil/

8
State Funded Education Programs

• Benefit
• Program vary from State to State
• Most States have some form of State funded
  programs i.e. State TA, Grant, waiver, loan
  repayment, scholarships, tuition exemptions, etc.
• CA, DC, GU, MT, OR and TN currently have no State
  funded programs
• Contact your State ARNG Education Office for more
  details or visit the virtual armory for further
  information www.virtualarmory.com
• Note Many State programs have stipulations
  and/or additional requirements and are based upon
  State funding on year-by-year basis.

9
ARNG GI Bill Programs

• Reserve GI Bill (Ch 1607)
• For part-time Soldiers
• ARNG GI Bill KICKER
• An incentive paid in addition to the MGIB
  (Reserve or AD)
• Active Duty GI Bill (MGIB-AD) (Ch 30)
• For Soldiers who mobilized for 2 years
• For Soldiers who serve in an AGR status 2 years
• Mobilization GI Bill (Ch 1606)
• For Soldiers who were mobilized 90 days on a
  contingency operation
• For Soldiers mobilized for less than 90 days but
  separated from AD with an approved LOD
• Reserve Education Assistance Program
• Note All MGIB programs are administered/paid by
  the Department of Veterans Administration (DVA)
  

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ARNG GI Bill Programs

• Benefit
• The Reserve and Active Duty GI Bill and
  Mobilization GI Bill (Reserve Education
  Assistance Program) can be used for any of the
  following
• College/Schooling (up to and including a Ph.D.)
• Cooperative Training
• Correspondence training
• Independent study programs
• Remedial/Refresher Training
• Tutorial Assistance
• Flight training
• Certification Testing
• Apprenticeship/OJT - the most unused DVA
  benefit!
• NOTE Check DVA for qualifying programs

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Reserve GI BILL (Ch 1606)

• Benefit
• 36 months of full time benefits with any one
  program
• Rates are reduced for Apprenticeship/On-the-Job
  Training
• Rates (effective 1 Oct 05)
• Full Time 297.00
• 3/4 Time 220.00
• 1/2 Time 147.00
• lt 1/2 Time 74.25
• Note A maximum of 48 months of DVA benefits may
  be obtained when two or more GI Bill programs are
  combined

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Reserve GI BILL (Ch 1606)

• Eligibility
• Eligibility starts on the date of basic
  eligibility which is annotated on the
  Notification of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) DD Form
  2384-1
• Soldiers with a date of basic eligibility prior
  to 1 Oct 92 had 10 years to use their MGIB-SR
  benefit
• Soldiers with a date of basic eligibility of 1
  Oct 92 or later have 14 years to use their
  MGIB-SR benefit
• Eligibility for the MGIB-SR expires on the
  delimiting date , reached maximum number of
  benefits, or when the soldier leaves the selected
  reserve, whichever is earlier
• Note This change is based on the FY03 National
  Defense Authorization Act,
• signed into law (PL 107-314) on 2 Dec 02

13
Reserve GI BILL (Ch 1606)

• Eligibility, continued
• Entitlement, not a benefit
• Must meet three items
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Initial 6-year contract w/ARNG or other Reserve
  Comp
• Complete Initial Active Duty Training (IADT)
• Note Soldier receiving Guaranteed Reserve
  Force Duty Scholarship retain
• eligibility for Reserve GI Bill (Ch
  1606)
• Soldier must not receiving ROTC Dedicated
  Guard Scholarship

14
Reserve GI BILL (Ch 1606)

• Eligibility, continued
• Mobilization
• Entitlement/eligibility to the MGIB-SR
  continues during any period of federal
  mobilization
• In addition, the MGIB-SR period of eligibility is
  extended for the period of federal mobilization
  plus 4 months
• I.e. A Soldier who is mobilized for 1 year (12
  months) will have 16 months added to their
  current delimiting date
• To get the additional time added, the Soldier
  must send a copy of their DD214 to their regional
  DVA office
• Note This extension adds time to how long the
  Soldier can use the MGIB-SR benefit, it does NOT
  add additional months of benefits

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ARNG GI Bill KICKER

• Eligibility
• Be eligible for the GI Bill basic benefit
  (Reserve or Active Duty)
• Six year obligation, completion of IADT,
  HSDG/equivalent
• Non Prior Service - Will be done simultaneously
  with the six year Reserve GI Bill basic
  obligation
• Enlist in a critical MOS and/or critical unit
• Prior Service Enlist into MTOE unit as Sergeant
  (E5) or below
• Qualified for the MOS enlisted into
• Has not gained KICKER eligibility with other
  Reserve Component
• Current ARNG Soldiers Extend/reenlist into MTOE
  unit as Sergeant (E5) or below
• Must have served at least 3 years continuous
  active service with ARNG
• Enlist in a valid position vacancy in a unit -
  MTOE and TDA units are both authorized the KICKER
  effective 1 October 2005
• Note The ARNG GI Bill KICKER is an incentive
  not an entitlement, ARNG Soldiers must apply for
  and qualify in order to receive it

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ARNG GI Bill KICKER

• Eligibility, continued
• Officers
• First or Second Lieutenant without a
  baccalaureate degree
• Current ARNG Officers are not required to serve 3
  continuous years
• Have up to 90 days after commissioning from
  OCS/WOCS/ROTC-SMP to be eligible for the 350
  commissioning KICKER rate
• Commissioning Programs (350 KICKER)
• State OCS candidates may extend their current
  enlistment any time after Phase 1 of the OCS
  program
• Warrant Officer Candidates (WOC) are eligible to
  extend their enlistment after they are appointed
  on orders as a WOC
• ROTC Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
  candidates are eligible to sign a KICKER contract
  effective the date of the SMP agreement (NGB Form
  594-1) and the ROTC Advanced Course Contract (DA
  Form 597), whichever is later.

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ARNG GI BILL KICKER

• Benefits
• 100 (Currently not offered by ARNG)
• 200 (NPS, PS and Current ARNG soldiers)
• 350 (Officer Candidates, WOCs and SMPs)
• Not subject to federal/state withholding
• Paid monthly with the GI Bill basic benefit
  (reserve or Active Duty)
• KICKER entitlement lasts as long as the GI Bill
  basic benefit, up to 36 months maximum
• Payments are prorated when not enrolled full-time
• Example 200 KICKER at 1/2 time enrollment 100

18
ARNG GI Bill KICKER

• Overview
• The ARNG GI Bill KICKER is an extra monthly
  payment paid with the soldiers Reserve GI Bill
  or Active Duty GI Bill basic benefit. Its
  purpose is to encourage the enlistment and
  retention of Soldiers into designated units/MOSs
• Note ARNG GI Bill KICKER policy/guidance is
  published by National Guard Bureau, NGB-ARM-EI

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Active Duty GI Bill (Ch 30)

• Eligibility
• Basic Eligibility
• Entered active duty/AGR on or after 1 July
  1985/AGR on or after 29 November 1989
• Have a 2 year or longer active duty/AGR
  obligation
• In-process through ARNG State GI Bill Manager (VA
  determines eligibility)
• Contribute 1,200 (100 month for 12 months)
• Serve obligated period in a honorable status
• Note Once made, your decision to accept or
  decline is permanent!

20
Active Duty GI Bill (Ch 30)

• Benefit
• Up to 36 months of full time benefits Rates
  (Effective 1 Oct 2005)
• Full-time 1034.00
• 3/4 time 775.00
• 1/2 time 517.00
• lt 1/2 time 258.50
• Note Soldiers must have a 3 year or longer
  period of obligated service to get these rates,
  Soldiers who serve less than 3 years get a lower
  rate - unless they serve 2 years on AD and 4
  years in the selected reserve

21
Active Duty GI Bill (Ch 30)

• Benefit, continued
• Extensions
• Soldiers who are discharged and later return to
  federal active duty for 90 days or more (before
  or after the expiration of their 10 year
  delimiting date), may have a new 10 year
  delimiting date established after their ETS
• M-Day/part-time ARNG Soldiers who are already
  enrolled in the MGIB-AD and are
  federally mobilized for 90 days or more will have
  a new 10 year delimitating date established upon
  return from the mobilization
• Note To have your delimiting date extended,
  Soldiers must send a copy of their DD Form 214 to
  their VA Regional Processing Office (RPO)

22
Active Duty GI Bill (Ch 30)

• Benefit, continued
• 600 Additional Contribution (PLUS UP)
• Optional addition to existing Active Duty GI Bill
  (MGIB-AD)
• Soldier must be on active duty to complete DD
  Form 2366-1
• In-process through ARNG GI Bill Support Team
• 20 increments or all of 600 (AGR Soldiers)
• Soldiers gaining eligibility through mobilization
  will pay the 600 in a lump sum
• Up to 150 more per month in benefits
• Note Maintain paper copies of payment voucher
  and enrollment forms for Dept of VA verification.

23
Mobilization GI Bill (Ch 1607)

• Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)
• Established 28 October 2004
• Basic Eligibility
• Soldier served on Active duty (AD) in support of
  a contingency operation for 90 days or more on or
  after 11 September 2001
• Performed full-time National Guard duty under
  section 502(f) of title 32 for 90 consecutive
  days when responding to a national emergency
  declared by the President and supported by
  federal funds
• Soldiers eligibility is gained on 90th
  consecutive day of duty as noted above
• Soldiers serving on AD for a contingency
  operation on or after 11 September 2001 for less
  than 90 days are eligible if released for line of
  duty injury, illness, or disease
• Remain a participant with a Reserve Component
• No contribution required

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Mobilization GI Bill (Ch 1607)

• Benefit
• Served 90 days but less than 1 year 40 of
  MGIB-AD Rate
• Served less than 90 days with LOD separation
  40 of MGIB-AD (Eligible for 10 years from date
  eligibility gained)
• Served 1 year and less than 2 years 60 of
  MGIB-AD Rate
• Served 2 years or more 80 of MGIB-AD rate
• Soldier must make an irrevocable decision as to
  which program the service will be credited toward
  (Ch 30 or 1607)

25
ARNG GI Bill Programs

• How to use GI Bill and KICKER benefits
• Verify school is approved to receive DVA benefits
• Register for courses at school
• Bring completed DVA Form 22-1990/NOBE/DD
  214/KICKER contract to school official or send to
  Dept of DVA
• Schools Veteran Affairs certifying official
  signs DVA Form 22-1999 certifying enrollment
• Department of Veterans Affairs pays benefits
• Verify benefit monthly

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ARNG GI Bill Programs

• DVA Help Information
• General DVA Information
• 1-800-827-1000
• GI Bill Information
• 1-888-GI-Bill-1 (1-888-442-4551)
• Automated Telephone System (WAVE)
• 1-800-823-2378
• DVA Web Site
• www.GIBILL.VA.GOV
• ARNG GI Bill Support Team
• 1866-628-5999/esc_at_pec.ngb.army.mil

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Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

• Non Prior Service (NPS)
• 20,000 Maximum
• Qualifications
• Must be existing loans at the time of enlistment
• Only covers time period for which enlisted, (6X2
  or 8X0)
• CAT I-IIIA, MOS immaterial
• Can be combined with MGIB kicker
• May not be in an excess or over-strength position
• Payment Schedule
• 15 of the original balance of the loan or 500
  (whichever is greater) up to 3,000
• Payments made on anniversary date of contract
• Must do 8 X 0 to get full benefit of program

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Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

• Current Member Applicants
• 20,000 Maximum
• Qualifications
• Current members who have never had SLRP as an
  enlistment option may extend/reenlist for SLRP
• Must have served last 3 years in an active status
  in an ARNG unit (ING constitutes a break)
• Reenlist or extend for a term of service that
  will provide a contractual obligation of not less
  than 6 years
• Have less than 16 years total service at time of
  current ETS
• Have existing loans at the time of reenlistment
  or extension
• Cannot be in an excess or over-strength position
  and must be MOS qualified in the duty position

29
Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment Program
(HPLR)

• (Current Member Applicants)
• 50,000 Maximum
• Qualifications
• Loans do not have to be pre-existing prior to
  appointment
• Cannot be in an excess or over-strength position
  and must be MOS qualified in the duty position
• Must be directly related to Licensure

30
ARNG ROTC Scholarship Programs

• Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
• Dedicated ARNG ROTC Scholarships
• Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarships

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Commissioning Programs

• Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
• Simultaneous ROTC Membership Program (SMP)
• Dedicated ARNG Scholarships
• Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarships
• State Officer Candidate School (OCS)
• Accelerated officer Candidate School (OCS)
• Federal Officer Candidate School (AC)
• Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS)
• Direct Commission

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Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)

• SOC Guard (ARNGs 3-man team at SOC)
• SOCGUARD Reps serve as ARNG liaison and advisor
  to higher education institutions/agencies
• They help work education-related mobilization
  school accreditation issues!
• SOC Guard Reps are available to conduct on-site
  college workshops/campus visits, improve college
  relations, assist Recruiting and Retention
  (RR) NCOs gain campus access
• SOC Guard also provides posters, brochures,
  presentations and other helpful info
  for education and RR personnel via
  the SOCGUARD web site

33
ARNG Testing

• Testing Program
• Over 150 free tests available to ARNG Soldiers
  including CLEP, DSST, GED, SAT,
  ACT, GRE, GMAT, Praxis, Etc
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES
  Standardized Subject Tests (DSST) and Excelsior
  College Exams (ECE) equate to college credit and
  save Soldiers time and money!
• Test at any DANTES test center i.e. ARNG, Army,
  Navy, Air Force
• Test at National Test Centers (colleges) -
  Soldier/Spouse with ID card can take eCLEPS free,
  military service pays for the testing.
• ARNG spouses and civilians are eligible at
  ARNG/DANTES Test Centers (CLEP and DSST
  are free for spouse)

34
ARNG Certification

• Certification Program
• Over 200 exams from 40 different agencies
• Over 30 national certification exams including
  Food Services, Fitness, Electronics, Medical,
  Auto, etc.
• Excellent opportunity to use military experience
  to gain valuable civilian certification/licensure
• Exam must be related to your MOS
• Only exam costs are reimbursed, contact the
  professional organization for application and
  study materials
• Contact your ESO, the DANTES web site or visit
  the following links for more information
• www.armyeducation.army.mil (Credentialing
  Opportunities On Line C.O.O.L.)
• www.umet-vets.dol.gov (Certification Info for
  Vets)

35
Troops to Teachers

• Troop to Teachers (TTT)
• Assist military personnel transition to a new
  career as a public school teacher
• Stipends up to 5,000 and bonus incentives up to
  10,000 for agreeing to teach in a high need
  district
• Provides mentoring opportunities, placement
  information and alternative teacher credentialing
  opportunities
• ARNG Soldiers must have 10 years of service or
  have retired with 20 or more years of service to
  qualify for stipends
• Soldiers enlisting in the ARNG directly from
  active duty with six or more years of service are
  also eligible
• Contact your State ESO or visit the TTT link for
  more info
• www.proudtoserveagain.com

36
Spouses to Teacher

• Spouses to Teachers (STT)
• Assist military members spouses interested in
  pursing a teaching career. Spouses to Teachers
  is available in 14 pilot states CA, CO, FL, GA,
  TX, KS, NE, NV, NM, SC, NC, UT, LA and VA
• The program includes routes to certification,
  employment potential, and assistance with
  employment searches
• Up to 600 available to reimburse eligible
  spouses for expenses incurred to take
  examinations
• Eligibility include spouses of active duty
  personnel, selected reserve and National Guard,
  and members of the IRR recalled to active duty
• Contact your State ESO or visit the STT link for
  more info
• www.spousestoteachers.org

37
Army e-Learning

• Army e-Learning (SmartForce) Program
• An Army Computer Based Training (CBT) System that
  provides free access to over 1,500 Information
  Technology, Business Skills, Self Development and
  Language courses
• The Army Training Requirements and Resources
  System (ATRRS) verifies your eligibility for the
  program and also posts successfully completed
  courses to your official ATRRS training record
• Courses are approved by the American Council on
  Education (ACE) to award college credit and they
  do count for promotion points
• Program Listing (course catalog) is available via
  email to Army_at_smartforce.com
• For further info and to enroll call
  1-888-395-0014 x2620, or visit
  www.atrrs.army.mil/channels/eLearning/smartforce/

38
ARNG Education Support Center

• The ARNG Education Support Center (ESC) is
  an NGB contracted agency established to be the
  subject matter experts and one-stop-shop for all
  ARNG education inquiries/programs

39
ARNG Education Support Center

• Provides the following specialized services
• Military Credit Assessment
• College Degree Planning
• Educational counseling
• Student Guide to Success test prep program
• e-DISCOVER counseling resource
• GI Bill Program Management
• Officers without Degrees

40
ARNG Education Support Center

• College Degree Planning
• Reviews the AARTS transcript and build a
  personalized college degree plan by consolidating
  your earned credit from sources such as military
  training, college level testing , independent
  course study traditional college courses and
  corporate training

41
ARNG Education Support Center

• Degree Programs
• Associate
• Business, Aviation, Technical Studies,
  Management, Administration and Occupational
  studies, etc.
• Baccalaureate
• Business, Marketing, Management, Nursing,
  Operations Management, and Human Resources, etc.
• Masters and Ph.D programs also available

42
ARNG Education Support Center

• Educational Counseling
• Education counselors are available to help answer
  your questions and put you on the right track

43
ARNG Education Support Center

• Student Guide to Success
• Enhance the ability of student to pass college
  credit examinations using multi-media, Hollywood
  styles videos, CD and cassettes associated with
  textbooks of the same subject

44
ARNG Education Support Center

• e-Discover
• Internet accessible educational guidance software
  that provides guidance and information to help
  Soldiers make important career and educational
  decisions
• offers complete, current databases of
  occupations, college majors, schools and training
  institutions, financial aid/scholarships, and
  military options
• develops good job-seeking skills through
  effective resumes, cover letters, job
  applications, and interviewing skills

45
Officers without Degrees

• The OWD initiative affects all Officers who do
  not possess a Bachelors degree
• The target market includes Officer Candidates
  /Graduate, 2LTs and 1LTs, 1LTs and Captains
  (passed over)
• Army National Guard Education Support Center
  (ESC) will identify, evaluate, contact, and track
  all junior officers without a degree from their
  current academic status through completion of
  their Bachelors degree
• ESC counselors are prepared to assist officers in
  an already devised degree program or assist
  officers in identifying a degree program

46
ARNG Education Support Center

• ESC Contact Information
• Web Site
• www.virtualarmory.com (click on Education tab)
• Email
• esc_at_pec.ngb.army.mil
• Phone
• Toll Free 1-866-628-5999 (12 hours daily!!)
• 0600-1800 CST
• COM [phone]
• FAX [phone]
• Address
• Lexington Hall, Professional Education Center,
  Camp Robinson, Arkansas

47
ARNG Education Support Center

• Apprenticeship/OJT
• Opportunities exist for ARNG members to take part
  in apprenticeship programs or on-the-job-training
  (OJT)
• Funds may be available through the Dept of DVA or
  your local Dept of Labor
• Members may use their GI Bill benefits in some
  instances

48
Key Education Links

• www.virtualarmory.com
• Information on ARNG Education programs plus much
  more
• www.GIBill.va.gov
• Dept of Veterans Affairs website (GI Bill)
• www.dantes.doded.mil
• Information on DANTES Programs
• http//www.soc.aascu.org/socguard/Default.html
  Information
• on SOCGUARD Programs
• https//www.armyeducation.army.mil
• Information on Active Army Education Programs for
  Active Duty Soldiers