Education and Incentives Brief (or, “How to get paid to go to school!”) Georgia Army National Guard Education Services Office ESO

Overview Federal tuition assistance (FTA) GI Bill, TEB, and Kicker Licensure/certification reimbursement OJT and apprenticeship Army testing HERO scholarship Bonuses Loan repayment

Federal Tuition Assistance FTA

FTA Basics First come, first served. Once funding runs out each year, no more FTA can be approved. Pays up to $250/sem. hr.; 16 hrs./FY (Oct-Sep) – 130 hours toward an undergraduate degree – 39 hours toward a graduate degree Must wait for 1 year after IADT to use FTA. – 10 years TIS to fund Master’s, if FTA used for Bach. Georgia does not have a separate program for state tuition assistance.

GoArmyEd (GAE)

Establish an Account (GAE) is now the Army- wide source for using FTA (now CAC-enabled). Establish a login ID. Upload a copy of the statement of understanding (SOU). Take the VIA interest survey. – VIA is now required for Soldiers requesting an initial account, or to change schools/degree plans.

Find/Compare Schools nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ contains full list of schools receiving Title 4 Federal funds. contains full list of schools approved for FTA. VIA interest survey helps narrow your search.

Requesting FTA Register for classes and upload degree plan, class schedule, and cost statement to GAE. Request FTA to cover the listed classes. After 6 hours of classes have been approved in GAE, a course planner must be uploaded. GAE will not pay for lab fees, technology fees, parking deck fees, etc.

Prior Approval As of 1 Jan 15, any course the Soldier wants FTA to cover must be approved by the State FTA Manager prior to start date of the course. Soldier’s GAE account must show an uploaded and approved SOU, degree plan, course planner (if app.), and a detailed FTA request for each class. This is not a one day process! The window to begin requests is 60 days prior to course start.

Prior Approval All approval requests will be processed on a first-in, first-out basis. Delaying submission risks disapproval; do not wait until the last minute. Keep your address and other account info updated in GAE, so the FTA Manager can contact you if issues arise.

Prior Approval Requests should be submitted 60 days ahead of class start date, but not later than 5 days. – Example: If class starts 1 May 2016, submit your request 1 March Per Army policy, disapproved or unprocessed requests that were submitted less than 5 days ahead of class start date do not qualify for a request for exception to policy.

Tips for Faster Approval Keep your GAE account current, and login a few times per year, to avoid having your account placed into a hold status or a suspended status. When you load your key documents into eFile in GAE, give them meaningful file names. Create your course planner such that the courses are in the same order as those listed on the degree plan.

Grade Point Average Per Army policy, continued receipt of FTA funds is contingent upon you maintaining your GPA for all courses funded through GAE. This is effectively a “GAE GPA,” separate from your actual GPA at your school; it is based solely on those courses funded by FTA. – Undergraduate GAE GPA must be 2.0 or higher. – Graduate GAE GPA must be 3.0 or higher. – To repair GAE GPA, SM must self-fund courses, but continue to use GAE to record the courses.

Recoupment Any FTA funded courses marked “W” (withdrawn after permissible add/drop period), “I” (student failed to complete the course) will be recouped from the Soldier. Any undergraduate-level courses with a grade of “D” or “F” will be recouped. Any graduate-level courses with a grade of “C,” “D,” or “F” will be recouped.

FTA & the GI Bill For two chapters of the GI Bill (Ch 30, Ch 33), it is permissible to use FTA and GI Bill to cover the same course simultaneously. For the other chapters (Ch 1606, Ch 1607), it is permissible to use FTA and GI Bill at the same time, during the same semester, but not to cover the same course. Contact your school VA rep. to discuss options and make the best financial decision for you.

Questions about FTA? Contact Mr. Tom Bolin: – – (678)

GI Bill

Benefits Comparison Chart

GI Bill Basics SM can only use up to 48 months of their own earned benefits in their lifetime, even if they earned more than 48 under multiple chapters. – SM can earn up to 36 months under each chapter. – SM can transfer up to 36 months (Ch 33). – Calculation is based on months of usage, not calendar months. Each chapter can be used for licensure, certification, OJT, and apprenticeships.

Four Chapters Ch 1606 (MGIB-Selected Reserve) – Earned for active service in the Reserve Component (Reserves and National Guard). – Expires upon separation from service, unless med. – Suspended during AGR service. Ch 1607 (REAP) – Earned for deployed service (OEF/OIF/OND/OIR). – Expires 10 years after separation from Selected Reserve (i.e., not the IRR/ING).

Four Chapters Ch 30 (MGIB-Active Duty) – Earned for service in the Active Component or AGR (Title 10 or Title 32). – Expires 10 years after separation from active duty (date of last DD214). Ch 33 (Post-9/11) – Earned for deployed service (OEF/OIF/OND/OIR). – Expires 15 years after separation from active duty (date of last DD214). – Can be transferred to dependents.

NOBE (Ch 1606) Upon graduation from IADT (BCT + AIT, or OSUT) and award of PMOS, the GI Bill Manager will produce and upload your notice of basic eligibility (NOBE) to your iPERMS. This is the document you will need to use your Ch 1606 benefits for school.

Sunset of REAP (Ch 1607) In Nov 2015, Congress eliminated Ch 1607 due to improvements in Ch 33 that make Ch 1607 redundant. Current REAP beneficiaries: Veterans who were attending an educational institution on 24 Nov 2015, or during that fall semester, quarter, or term ending just prior to that date, are eligible to continue to receive REAP benefits until 25 Nov 2019.

Sunset of REAP (Ch 1607) REAP beneficiaries not attending school: Veterans who applied for REAP but were not attending an educational institution on 24 Nov 2015, or during that fall semester, quarter, or term ending just prior to that date, are no longer eligible to receive REAP benefits. – Many of these veterans may be eligible to receive benefits under Ch 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill).

Sunset of REAP (Ch 1607) New REAP applicants: Veterans who have not enrolled in school and applied for REAP benefits prior to 25 Nov 2015 are no longer eligible for REAP benefits. – Many of these veterans may be eligible to receive benefits under Ch 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill).

Ch 33 (Post-9/11) – VA owns the Post-9/11 GI Bill and payments – DoD owns TEB (Transfer of Education Benefits)

Transfer of Education Benefits TEB

TEB The transfer of education benefits (TEB) was designed as a retention tool by DoD. It is separate from simply earning Ch 33 benefits. Beginning 1 Aug 2012, SM were allowed to execute a TEB agreement. – Must be completed while still in service. – Incurs a 4-year service obligation – Service obligation is waived for involuntary separation (e.g., medical, force reduction, age 60).

TEB Total military service 1 – 5 years 6 – <10 years 10 years or more Eligible for transfer No one Spouse and child; child must wait until year 10 to use. Spouse and child; both can use immediately.

GI Bill Kicker Kicker

Kicker The GI Bill Kicker incentive is an additional education payment, on top of the standard GI Bill payment. Designed to encourage Reserve Component Soldiers to enter specific units or MOSs to meet and sustain readiness requirements. There are separate enlisted, officer, and officer candidate Kickers. – Reference: DoDI

Kicker How Do I Qualify? – Be eligible for Ch 1606, Ch 30, or Ch 33 – Agree to serve in critical UIC/MOS or enter an officer commissioning program – Enlisted sign a 6 year Res. Comp. service contract – Complete IADT or officer branch qualification – Not be AGR, Tech, or Active Component – Not be Flagged for AWOL or adverse action – Not be using a Dedicated ARNG ROTC Scholarship

Reimbursement Reimbursement

Reimbursement GI Bill can be used to reimburse examination cost for obtaining a license or certification (e.g., GACE, Lean Six Sigma, IT network specialist). – This is separate from the NGB program, which is currently pending JAG review to ensure compliance with Federal law.

OJT and Apprenticeship

GI Bill can be used to pay a stipend to the SM while participating in on-the-job training (OJT), apprenticeship, or registered apprenticeship (RA) with participating civilian companies. – The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has degrees for many apprenticeship programs. – RA certificates are nationally recognized and provide the recipient with a significant boost in earnings potential.

Questions about GI Bill? Contact Mr. Todd Brinkley: – – (678)

Georgia HERO Scholarship HERO Scholarship

gacollege411.org for information. Managed by the state of Georgia, not the Georgia ARNG. For SM with combat deployment(s) since Sep 2001, and their dependents. Pays up to $2,000 per year for 4 years. – Must choose from the approved list of schools.

Army Testing

GAARNG has some free testing capabilities (e.g., ASVAB and GT score improvement). GAARNG Soldiers are permitted to use testing facilities at any of the large Army bases in Georgia (Ft Benning, Ft Stewart, Ft Gordon) for the many testing opportunities available for free (e.g., CLEP, SAT, LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, GACE, GRE).

Bonuses Bonuses

Bonuses Joining the ARNG: – Non-prior service applicants: $20K – Prior service applicants: $10K – Enlisted affiliation from AC to ARNG: $5K – Warrant officer affiliation from AC to ARNG: $10K – (Officer affiliation currently suspended.)

Bonuses Reenlisting/extending in the ARNG: – Already DMOSQ: $12K – Convert to critical MOS: $4K – Convert to officer: $10K – Convert to warrant officer: $20K

Loan Repayment

Enlisted Loan Repayment Pays up to $50,000 of existing Federal loans. – Pays out 15% of your total loans, plus interest, annually for 6 years. (Note: 15 x 6 = 90, not 100) – SM must initiate payment request each year. – SM must keep loans in good standing. US law prohibits repayment to SM for any payments made to lenders by SM.

Enlisted Loan Repayment Can be extended with another 6 year contract. – Add additional loans at this time Loan payments can still be made after becoming an officer, with some exceptions. – Officer accession bonus – Simultaneous membership program (SMP) – ROTC or GRFD scholarship If loans are in repayment status, SM can claim these interest payments on their tax return.

Chaplain/Medical/JAG Chaplains can use loan repayment for courses that contributed to divinity/theology degree. – (Not chaplain candidates) Health care providers have unique loan repayment options. – (Doctors, dentists, and physician assistants; not Medical Service Corps officers) Speak with Specialty Branch Recruiting at the Recruiting & Retention Battalion for details.

Loan Forgiveness myfedloan.org If your full-time job is in public service, you may qualify to consolidate your loans with FedLoan Servicing. – e.g., AGR, Tech, police officer – M-Day service alone does not qualify. Then, make 120 monthly payments, and they will cancel the remaining debt.

Conclusion Question: “So, what can I use together, right now, to pay for school?”

Conclusion Answer: All of this! – FTA (up to $250/sem. hr., up to 16 hrs.) – GI Bill (use only one chapter at a time) Ch 1606 ($367/mo., but not for same class as FTA) Ch 1607 ($1030/mo., but not for same class as FTA) Ch 30 ($1373/mo.) Ch 33 (40-100% of tuition and books, plus housing) – GI Bill Kicker (requires 6 yr. contract) – Loan repayment (requires 6 yr. contract) – HERO Scholarship

All done. Conclusion