Office of Veterans Affairs


Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)  - Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) will pay up to a set amount per Army fiscal year (Oct - Sept) in tuition expenses including student fees.  This benefit is may be used in conjunction with the GI Bill and State Tuition Reimbursement (see attached letter for conditions).  Please note this is not a guaranteed benefit.  This program has a finite budget and is paid on a first come, first serve basis.  Please apply early.  You may apply for these benefits within 30 days of your semesters/quarters start date.

This program is available to drilling members of the Army National Guard or Army Reserve.  In order to receive payment for a course, the course must be completed prior to your separation from any of the above mentioned military components.  You may start receiving FTA benefits the day you enlist.  FTA can be reimbursed for out of state institution tuition. Remember you must be an active member of the Guard or Reserve.

This benefit is paid up-front.  You are required to earn a "C" or better in your classes, or in the event of a class taken pass/fail you must "pass".  Failure to earn a "C" or better or 'pass" may result in repayment of FTA.

How do I apply for the FTA program if I am a Minnesota National Guard member?

1. To apply for FTA, go to http://www.virtualarmory.com.
2. On the left side of the screen, click on "Register", then "ARNG member".

3. It will ask you for your Date of Birth and SSN.  Click next.
4. Towards the top of the screen, click on the "Education" tab.

5. On the left side of the screen, click on "Online Applications", then "Application for Federal tuition".

6. The next screen will bring up the STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING. You must read and understand this statement.  If you agree, click on "AGREE", then click on "CONTINUE"

7. Complete your CONTACT INFORMATION and make changes as necessary to the information already filled in, then click on "CONTINUE".

8. Complete the SCHOOL INFORMATION screen.  Ensure the course dates are accurate.  All courses entered on this application must have the same Course Begin and Course End Dates.  For courses with different dates you must submit separate applications for ARNG FTA. Click on "CONTINUE".

9. Complete the SCHOOL INFORMATION screen.  The "# OF HOURS" column means # of credits.  When figuring the COST/HOUR, divide ONLY the tuition charged by the number of credits you are taking. Unless class specific, fees are normally charged the number of credits. In the "AUTHORIZED FEES" column, add the authorized fees charged and divide by the number of credits you are taking.  Multiply this amount by the # of credits for each of your courses and enter the total in the AUTHORIZED FEES column.  Click on "REVIEW".

10. On the "REVIEW" screen, the program will list any required information. Click on the section to enter any missing information.

11. Read the ARNG-FTA RECOUPMENT POLICY and click on "AGREE".

12. Click on "PRINT APPLICATION" to print a copy of the application for personal records.

13. Click on "SUBMIT" to submit the application to the Education Services Office.

 

How do I apply for the FTA program if I am a reservist?

Go to: https://rcms.ocar.army.pentagon.mil/education/

1.      Obtain and follow the Tuition Assistance Checklist.

2.      Print, Read, and sign the Statement of Understanding - USAR Tuition Assistance. You must submit a signed copy with your first TA request each FY. (Subsequent TA requests during the FY do not require a copy be attached.)

3.     Complete a DA Form 2171-E, Request for Tuition Assistance. Print and sign form.

4.     Complete and 88th RRC Tracking Form for Tuition Assistance Request

5.     Submit the following forms to the 88th RRC Education Office for your TA authorization - (request must be received before the first day of class.)
    Statement of understanding USAR - Tuition Assistance
    Tracking Form for Tuition Assistance Request
    Request for Tuition Assistance, DA Form 2171-E
    Degree Plan
    Copy of billing statement showing tuition and fees

6.     Submit approved 2171-E to school Business Office

 

What are the federal tuition assistance policies for Army Reservists?

FY 06 Tuition Assistance (TA) policies for TPU soldiers

- The soldier must be a drilling reservist in good standing.
- The soldier must have completed Phase 1 of basic training.
- The soldier may use Montgomery GI Bill benefits simultaneously if taking 6 or more credit hours.
- The soldier must declare an educational goal leading to a certificate or credential higher than current degree level, capping at master's leave.
- Enlisted soldiers must have sufficient time remaining on their term of service to complete the course before separation.
- Commissioned and warrant officers must have at least 4 years of Selected Reserve service remaining from the completion date of the course for which TA is provided.
- The soldier must turn in to the school a DA Form 2171-E signed by the 88th RRC ESS, along with his/her portion of the tuition/fees.
- The school will bill the 88th RRC Arm Education Office for the government's portion of the tuition.

The USAR's FY 2006 TA policy

- 100% of tuition costs, not to exceed $250.00 per semester hour or $166.67 per quarter hour
and
- TA is limited to $4,500 per fiscal year.
- Soldiers must apply for TA through the Army Reserve website at https://rcms.ocar.army.pentagon.mil/education.

For more information on tuition assistance policies:

Contact Information
Army Education Center
HQ 88th RRC
506 Roeder Circle
Fort Snelling , MN
55111-4009
1.800.THE ARMY, ext 3081
FAX 612.713.3365

  View the Minnesota National Guard Educational Frequently Asked Questions page


Thank Minnesota Troops Page - The Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund is a fund established by private residents of Minnesota to thank Minnesota service members for their service. The MMAF will provide $250 -- $500 to all Minnesota military personnel who have served in a combat zone since September 11, 2001. They will increase the amount of the award to Purple Heart recipients and to the families of those killed in action.  See eligibility criteria below.


- Minnesota taxpaying residents on active military duty
- Minnesota taxpaying residents assigned to Reserve or Guard units located outside of Minnesota
- Non-Minnesota taxpayers assigned to a Minnesota Reserve or Guard Unit Member of one of the above mentioned groups who served after September 11, 2001 and was honorably discharged


Minnesota War Orphan Tuition Grant - The State of Minnesota will provide free tuition at any state college or university to Minnesota war orphans until a bachelor's degree or equivalent has been obtained.  Eligibility determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Please see eligibility criteria below.

- The applicant (War Orphan) shall be a resident of the State of Minnesota for at least two years immediately prior to application.
- The deceased veteran (parent) must have been a Minnesota resident at the time of entry on active military duty and for the six months immediately preceding entry on active duty.
- The veteran must have died while on active duty, or as a result of a service connected condition.  This determination is made by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (US DVA), or other instrumentality of the United States .
- The definition of "veteran's child" includes birth or adoption, but does not include stepchildren or foster children.

For more information visit http://www.mdva.state.mn.us/education.htm
See your County Veterans Service Officer to apply.

 

Minnesota GI Bill - The Minnesota G.I. Bill program is a new program in 2007 established to provide postsecondary educational assistance to eligible Minnesota veterans who served on or after September 11, 2001. Full-time undergraduate or graduate students may be eligible receive up to $1,000 per semester and part-time students can receive up to $500 per semester.

Eligibility Requirements

You must be a Minnesota resident enrolled at Minnesota institutions who is a:

Veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch of the United States armed forces at any time on or after September 11, 2001, or;

Non-veteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September 11, 2001, or;

Surviving spouse or children of a person who has served in the military at any time on or after September 11, 2001, and who has died or has a total and permanent disability as a direct result of that military service.



To apply, print, complete, and send this application to the college you will attend:

If you have any further questions, please call or stop by the Veterans Resource Center located in LI 205B or the Certifying Official located in Livingston Library Room 201.