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Educational Benefits
Higher education is one of the biggest keys to personal success.
It can open many career avenues. The Army National Guard is
committed to learning. Proof of that commitment may be seen in the
wide range of educational assistance programs offered by us.
The goal of these programs is to provide qualified applicants
with the financial support they need to attend college or technical
school during their service with the Army National Guard.
Qualifications for these programs generally include a high school
diploma and an acceptable Armed Forces Qualifications Test (AFQT)
aptitude score, enlistment for specified Military Occupational
Specialties (MOSs), and the stipulation in the enlistment contract
that the applicant wants to participate in the programs.
- Montgomery GI
Bill It is named for the Honorable G.V.
"Sonny" Montgomery, the Representative for Mississippi
who sponsored it. It is available to everyone entering the Army
National Guard for the first time. Unlike the Montgomery GI Bill
for the active duty, no soldier pay deduction is required. This
is non-taxable income. The total entitlement under this program
is $10,152. This money is paid directly to the student from
the Dept. of Veterans Affairs at these rates:
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$282.00 per month for a full-time student (12
credits or more)
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$212.00 per month for a 3/4-time student (9
credits)
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$140.00 per month for a 1/2-time student (6
credits)
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$ 70.00 per month for a 1/4-time student (3
credits)
The student must have completed Basic Training and Advanced
Individual Training. Funding is available for undergraduate and
graduate courses, cooperative and vocational training,
correspondence courses and flight training programs.
- Montgomery GI
Bill Kicker Program (MGIB-K) The Montgomery GI
Bill Kicker pays an additional $200.00 per month for 36 months.
A total of $7,200.00 of non-taxable income in addition to other
federal and state programs. This is available only for selected
shortage jobs in selected bonus units.
- Student Loan
Repayment Program (SLRP) The Student Loan
Repayment program is available for selected shortage jobs in the
Aviation Battalion. It is only available on existing loans. It
pays 15% per year (maximum $1,500 per year) and up to 90% of the
loan up to a total benefit of $10,000.00. That is taxable
income.
- Pennsylvania
Educational Assistance Program (PEAP) The
commonwealth of Pennsylvania offers this program to National
Guard members ONLY! You must be enrolled in a PHEAA-approved
degree or certificate curriculum school. Students must be a
resident of Pennsylvania for 12 months prior to enrollment. If a
student already possesses a baccalaureate or higher degree, they
may only use the funds on a part-time basis for a total benefit
of $4,598.00 ($2299 per semester). Applicants must
agree to serve in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for 6
years from the date of enrollment. Grant eligibility can be
utilized for a maximum of five academic years. The legislation
was signed into law on April 14, 2000 and became effective 1
July 2000 for 100% of tuition charged at State System of Higher
Education Schools. If you go to a SSHE school, we pay 100% of
your tuition. This is a total value is $22,990 over 5 years.
Benefits are paid by PHEAA to the institution based on the
following rates:
- Full-time students (12 credits or more) The total cost of
tuition or 100% the cost charged to a Resident at a Commonwealth
Member Institution Of the State system of higher education
(whichever is less) Maximum benefit is $4,598.00 per year.
- Part-time students (11 credits or less) Half the cost of
tuition or 1/3 the cost charged to a resident at a commonwealth
Member Institution of the state system of higher education
(whichever is less). Maximum benefit is $2,299.00 per year.
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- Federal
Tuition Assistance (FTA) You
can draw this in addition to EAP, MGIB, MGIB-Kicker, and
bonuses up to $4,000 per year. So if you go to a school other
than one of the State System of Higher Education (SSHE)
schools, FTA will make up the difference between the EAP and the
tuition charged at one of the schools other than SSHE, like
Penn State or University of Pittsburgh. You don't even
have to have completed basic training. However,
grades do matter with this program and if you fail the
course you will be reimbursing the money.
- Enlistment Cash
Bonus A $3,000.00 or $6,000.00 (depending
on job selected) cash bonus is available to qualified applicants
who enlist in a designated critical skill or unit.
- National Guard
Scholarship Fund This fund awards $400 to
qualified applicants and an additional $1000 to scholarship
applicants who receive the highest rating during the evaluation
process.
- VA Work Study
Program Guard members can work at a Department of
Defense facility and earn up to $400 per month in tax-free
income. Services performed under this program must be DVA (Dept.
of Veterans Affairs) related in nature. Examples of such
services might include: processing DVA paperwork at on-campus
offices or DVA regional offices, outreach services, and services
performed at DVA medical facilities. The nature of work will
depend upon your interest and the type of work situations
available.
- Earnings from
the Army National Guard Pay rates are based on
the soldier's rank and years of service. Members are required to
attend one training weekend per month. Initial earnings start at
$153.44 per month. Members are also required to
attend 15 days annual training per year. This training is
usually conducted during the summer months. Depending on your
rank, you can earn between $500.00 and $750.00 for annual
training. Members may receive additional money for dependents.
- Active Duty for
Training Newly enlisted members are required to
attend Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training for
approximately 4-5 months.
Contact Team Mt.
Pleasant for further
information
- MSG Davidson
Team Leader
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