Army Reserves Pay and Entitlements

Purpose To provide information on Army Reserve pay and entitlements. Two Weeks a Year - One Weekend a Month Cost of Living Allowance enlistment bonus Basic enlistment qualifications Student Loan Repayment Program Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Army Tuition Assistance

USC Columbia Tuition Student Expenses Tuition and Technology Fee$11,158 in-state (resident) $29,440 out-of- state (nonresident) Housing: traditional, suite$6,378 (resident/nonresident) Meals: meal plan$3,032 (resident/nonresident) Books and Supplies$1,008 (average) Estimated Costs

Estimated cost (excluding transportation expenses) Resident Full Time (per year) Tuition and fees* — $13,808 Room and board — $8,358 (approximate) Books and supplies — $1,138 (approximate) Total — $23,304 Nonresident Full Time (per year) Tuition and fees* — $31,824 Room and board — $8,358 (approximate) Books and supplies — $1,138 (approximate) Total — $41,320 * Assumes health and other mandatory fees (required for all full-time students) and average lab fees.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill offers several education assistance benefits. The three major benefits include up to 100% paid tuition, a monthly housing stipend, and a stipend of up to $1,000 a year for books and supplies. If you attend less than full-time you will receive a portion of the payment based on the number of units of study. Tuition and fee payments will be made to the school (of your choice) for all established charges. This payment is capped at the tuition and fees rate for the most expensive in-State undergraduate (Associates or Bachelors level courses) public college for the state of enrollment - this does not mean that you must attend a public school. The amount of established charges payable for the entire quarter, semester, or term will be sent directly to the school as a lump sum payment. Individuals will receive the applicable percentage of the lesser of: Established charges or highest amount of established charges regularly charged undergraduate in-State students for full-time pursuit at a college or university. The monthly housing stipend will be paid based on the monthly basic allowance for housing (BAH) payable for a military member with dependents in pay grade E-5 residing in the same ZIP code for the school where the individual is enrolled. Active duty members, individuals training at ½ time or less, and individuals pursuing distance learning are not eligible for a housing stipend.basic allowance for housing (BAH) You may receive a stipend of up to $1000 a year for books, supplies, etc. The individual will receive a lump sum payment in the first month of each quarter, semester, or term. The amount of the stipend payable is an amount equal to the fraction of the whole academic year that the quarter, semester, or term represents.

Loans Students are borrowing more to pay for college as the cost increases and outstanding education debt is about $1.2 trillion. Graduates of the class of 2012 who took out loans owed an average of $29,400, according to The Institute for College Access & Success, an Oakland, California-based nonprofit group. Seventy-one percent of college seniors had student loan debt. For the year beginning in July, graduate Stafford loan rates will rise to 6.21 percent from 5.41 percent in PLUS loans for graduate students or for parents paying their undergraduate children’s college costs will increase to 7.21 percent from 6.41 percent. Inflation in the U.S. rose at a 1.5 percent pace in the 12 months through March.

college education A college education is often the third biggest financial goal for a family, behind only buying a house and retirement. Frequently, parents try to set money aside for this major goal soon after a child is born. Here are two tax-favored federal- and state-sponsored savings plans that can make it easier to attain that goal. Read more: savings-plans-1.aspx#ixzz3KhYAH9xV Follow on Twitter | Bankrate on Facebook

Annual Pay for Reserve Soldiers Rank Years of Army Experience <2 Years4 Years6 Years Private—E1$2,363**$2,363 Private—E2$2,809 Private First Class$2,955$3,330 Specialist or Corporal$3,272$3,810$3,972 Sergeant$3,570$4,181$4,474 *Pay is based on two weeks of training each year and one weekend each month. **Pay for Private—E1 will be slightly lower for first four months of service.

Cost of Living Allowance In addition to salary and bonuses, the Army provides for housing, meals and uniforms for Army Reserve Soldiers on Active Duty status.

Reserve maximum enlistment bonus $20,000 (Non-Prior Service) Qualified Army Reserve applicants without previous military service who enlist for six years may qualify for combined bonuses of up to $20,000, depending on the Reserve unit vacancy and how quickly the individual can report to training. Army Reserve Soldiers also must agree to remain in the Inactive Reserve for two more years - a total obligation of not less than eight years.

Basic enlistment qualifications U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident 17 to 42 years old Healthy and in good physical condition In good moral standing High school or equivalent education

Reserve Student Loan Repayment Program The Reserve Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) offers eligible recruits who enlist in a high-priority vacancy in a Selected Reserve Troop Program Unit up to $10,000 toward qualifying student loans. Selected job specialties offer up to $20,000.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a Federal Government-sponsored retirement savings and investment plan. The TSP offers the same type of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under "401(k)" plans.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) CONT. The standard Thrift Savings Plan is available to all Soldiers, who may enroll in the program at any time during their enlistment. Soldiers can elect to contribute as much as 100% of their basic pay, including incentives, special or bonus pay, up to the annual IRS tax-deferred limit of $15,000.

Earned College Credit Attend college while serving in the Army Reserve. Attend accredited colleges, universities and vocational schools where classes are designed to accommodate a Soldiers lifestyle. Receive college credits for military training and experience. Join the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at your local college or university and become an Officer.

Army Tuition Assistance The Army will pay for part of your college education through Tuition Assistance. This includes classroom instruction, Internet, and correspondence classes. The Tuition Assistance program will pay up to $250 per quarter hour (up to $4,500 per year).

Conclusion Army Tuition Assistance Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Student Loan Repayment Program Basic enlistment qualifications enlistment bonus Cost of Living Allowance Two Weeks a Year - One Weekend a Month