Overview of Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)

The Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Program provides financial assistance to part-time ARNG soldiers in support of their professional and personal self-development goals.

Eligibility:

• Must have a valid expense from an accredited school.
• For traditional part-time drilling soldiers, members on ADSW / ADT, or mobilized commissioned officers.
• Eligible beginning the day member joins ARNG, even prior to boot camp or AIT or while yet in High School.
• Officers must serve 4 years after course completion.
• Enlisted must simply remain in the ARNG during term of courses.
• Members receiving an ROTC scholarship are not eligible.

Benefit:

(Effective 1 Oct 2004) - *ARNG FTA operates on a limited budget and is NOT a guaranteed benefit. It is offered on a ''first come, first served'' basis.*

• 100% of tuition and authorized fees with tuition caps of: $250 per semester hour, and $167 per quarter hour.
  • An authorized fee is a fee charged to all students for enrollment purposes or is directly related to the instruction of the course.
  • Credentials at the associate, bachelor, or master degree level and a vocational/technical certification and licensing.
• $4,500 max per soldier, per FY, including fees.
• High School or equivalency level may be funded at 100% of tuition and fees, but are still limited to the $4,500 annual cap.
• May be used with the MGIB-Selected Reserve (SR) or MGIB-Active Duty (AD) for the same course based on the following;
  • MGIB-SR participants must be enrolled at least 1/2 time or more to combine benefits.
  • MGIB-AD participants who are drawing GI Bill-Kicker benefits are NOT eligible for ARNG FTA.
• ARNG recommends that schools apply FTA prior to Pell Grants, to allow for maximizing benefit for student financial needs.

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