using army tuition assistance (ta) (goarmyed)

GAARNG G-1 SOP 3-2

Essential Personnel Services –

Education Benefits

Using Army Tuition

Assistance (TA)

(GoArmyEd)

UNCLASSIFIED

Joint Force Headquarters

Georgia Army National Guard

Marietta, GA

1 October 2019

GAARNG G-1 SOP 3-2, 1 October 2019 i

SUMMARY of CHANGE

SOP 3-2

Army Tuition Assistance

o No changes.

Proposed changes, modifications, and/or deletions should be made known GAARNG G-1, HR Plans using DA Form

2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms). Your feedback to provide a quality product is always welcome.

GAARNG G-1 SOP 3-2, 1 October 2019 ii

Contents Chapter 1 Overview

1-1 Applicability 1-2 References 1-3 Point of contact

Chapter 2 Using Army Tuition Assistance (TA) (GoArmyEd)

2-1 Guidelines and limitations 2-2 Duplication of benefits 2-3 Using GoArmyEd (GAE)

Appendix A References

Appendix B

Figure List (Not Used)

Glossary

GAARNG G-1 SOP 3-2, 1 October 2019 1

Chapter 1 Overview

1-1. Applicability Eligible Army National Guard Soldiers attending an accredited post-secondary institution who wish to request Army TA

funds to pay for one or more courses.

1-2. References See appendix A.

1-3. Point of contact Army TA Manager, <[email protected]>, (678) 569-5067.

mailto:[email protected]


Chapter 2 Using Army Tuition Assistance (TA) (GoArmyEd)

2-1. Guidelines and limitations

a. Soldiers are eligible for Army TA after successfully completing initial entry training (IET, composed of either basic combat training and advanced individual training (BCT + AIT), or one station unit training (OSUT), or warrant officer basic course (WOBC), or basic officer leader course (BOLC). Officers incur a 2-year (AGR) or 4-year (M-DAY) service obligation.

b. 16 credit hours per fiscal year with a cap of $250.00 per semester hour, not to exceed $4000.00 per fiscal year (1

October- 30 September).

c. Army TA will stop under either of the following conditions:

(1) The SM has completed the degree currently being pursued.

(2) The SM has completed 130 hours of Bachelor’s-level courses, or 39 hours of Master’s-level courses, using Army TA through GoArmyEd.

d. If Army TA is used for a Bachelor’s degree, then the SM must wait until completing either Advanced Leader Course

(ALC), or Warrant Officer Advanced Course (WOAC), or Captain's Career Course (CCC) before Army TA will pay for any courses toward a Master’s degree.

e. Army TA cannot be used for a lower degree than the highest level already attained by the SM, nor for a lateral

degree (degree of the same level as the highest level already attained by the SM), nor can it be used for any degree above a Master’s degree, such as Doctorate degrees (e.g., PhD).

f. GoArmyEd (GAE) grade point average (GPA) is independent of the GPA at a Soldier’s home school. In

general, the courses counted toward the GAE GPA have been paid for, totally or partially, by GAE. If a course is “self-funded,” a TA request must still be submitted through GAE, with supporting documentation, to have the grade for that course input to GAE, so the GAE GPA will match the GPA at Soldier’s home school.

g. Bachelor’s degree students must maintain a 2.0 or above GPA on a four-point scale in order to continue using Army TA. In addition, students that receive a grade of "D" or "F" for a course will be recouped for the amount of tuition assistance received for that course.

h. Master’s degree students must maintain a 3.0 or above GPA on a (four-point scale) in order to continue using Army

TA. In addition, students that receive a grade of "C", "D", or "F" for a course will be recouped for the amount of tuition assistance received for that course.

i. Army TA only pays for tuition; no fees (e.g., technology fees, parking fees) or books or room & board will be paid

for.

j. Courses must be part of an approved degree plan. A degree plan lists all the courses that the Soldier has taken, is taking, and will take in order to earn their degree. The course planner lists all the future courses that the Soldier needs in order to earn their degree. Both the degree plan and course planner must be uploaded into the Soldier’s GoArmyEd (GAE) eFile once they have completed 6 hours using Army TA and then it must be approved before more Army TA will be distributed to the Soldier.

Note: The process described above is not a short or simple one! Do not wait until a few days before classes start to begin the approval process. 60 days ahead of class start date, secure the required documents from the school and upload them to GAE.


2-2. Duplication of benefits

Eligible service members may be able to combine Army TA with other funding sources to fund their educational expenses (e.g., GI Bill, ARNG Kicker, loan programs, state-funded programs), but must keep in mind the following limitations.

a. Army TA cannot be used concurrently with MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606) or REAP (Chapter 1607) for the same

course. Eligible service members can use Army TA and 1606/1607 benefits during the same semester, as long as they do not use those benefits for the same course. (Understanding this difference will greatly assist the student in discussions with the certifying official.)

b. The ARNG’s student loan repayment program (SLRP), health professional loan repayment program (HPLRP), and chaplain loan repayment program (CLRP) are incentives and have no impact on receiving funds from the Army TA program.

c. Eligible service members not on active duty that are eligible for MGIB-AD (Chapter 30) can use Army TA,

MGIB-AD, and ARNG Kicker concurrently.

d. Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD), ROTC scholarship, ARNG Kicker, and either REAP (Chapter 1607) or the MGIB-AD (Chapter 30) can be combined.

e. If eligible for both Army TA and a Pell Grant, apply Army TA first to allow maximum use of Pell Grant funds.

f. Eligible service members can combine the Dedicated ARNG ROTC Scholarship and MGIB-AD (if they previously obtained this benefit while in the Active Component).

g. Applicants receiving the tuition option of ROTC scholarship funding under reference a or reference b are not

entitled to Army TA. Those electing the room & board option are entitled to use Army TA.

h. State-funded programs (such as Georgia’s HERO Scholarship) have no impact on Army TA programs and should not be a factor in determining Army TA, subject to any state laws or directives. Army TA can be used concurrently with state tuition assistance (e.g., the Georgia National Guard Service-Cancelable Loan program) but, when combined, cannot exceed 100% of tuition costs.

i. Chapter 33 Recipients. Eligible service members may qualify to receive Chapter 33 benefits for the same courses

for which they receive Army TA. Depending on their mobilization time, National Guard and Reserve service members may have varying percentages of Chapter 33 benefits ranging from 40% to 100%. Schools must deduct Army TA benefits from the net tuition and fees submitted to VA, and then Chapter 33 can be used to pay toward the remaining out-of-pocket costs.

j. Chapter 30 Recipients.

(1) Active Component service members and AGRs cannot receive standard (full) Chapter 30 benefits for the same courses for which they receive Army TA. If a service member takes several courses, that service member cannot receive Chapter 30 benefits for the courses for which Army TA is paid, but the service member can receive Chapter 30 benefits up to the cost of tuition for courses for which Army TA has not paid.

(2) Former Active Component service members who earned Chapter 30 benefits while on active duty and are currently M-Day/TPU service members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible to receive standard (full) Chapter 30 benefits for the same courses for which they receive Army TA from the military.

(3) Chapter 30 and “Top-up.” Service members who are eligible for Chapter 30 and approved for Army TA may be

eligible for Top-up. Top-up allows VA to pay the difference between what Army TA pays and the cost of the course. The law prohibits Active Component or AGR service members from receiving standard (full) Chapter 30 benefits and Army TA for the same course.

2-2. Using GoArmyEd (GAE)

To apply for Army TA, Soldiers create an account in GoArmyEd, <https://goarmyed.com>. Some points for students to keep in mind include:

a. If you requested classes at different times, all of your classes might not show up simultaneously. Once you print the

form for the selected classes, go back and select any other approved classes that did not print off on the first form.


b. Ensure that you select and print all approved classes, even if you have to print the classes on two different

forms.

c. Upon completion of the class, your school will enter the official grade in GAE.

d. GAE will not send any information to old AKO email addresses (@us.army.mil); Soldiers must now use Army Enterprise (@mail.mil) or commercial email addresses (e.g., @gmail.com, @yahoo.com).

e. VIA. This is a decision support tool built into GAE for helping students make better-informed decisions about their education goals, encouraging degree completion rates by identifying long-term career goals, choosing degree plans that prepare students for career goals, and selecting “best fit” and “best value” schools. Best fit is based on factors such as alignment with a student’s location, learning modality preferences, and admissions criteria. Best value is based on cost factors such as tuition and fees, and quality factors such as student retention rates at that school

ATTACHMENTS: GoArmyEd Hip Pocket Guide ARNG Flyer – Army Tuition Assistance


Appendix A

References

Section I Publications

Title 10 United States Code, Subtitle A, § 2107 Financial Assistance Program for Specially Selected Members

Title 10 United States Code, Subtitle A, § 2107a Financial Assistance Program for Specially Selected Members: Army Reserve and Army National Guard

Title 10 United States Code, Subtitle E, Chapter 1609, § 16301 Education Loan Repayment Program: Members of Selected Reserve

DoDD 1322.08E Voluntary Education Programs for Military Personnel, dated 3 January 2005

DoDI 1322.17 Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), dated 15 January 2015

DoDI 1322.25 Voluntary Education Programs, dated 15 March 2011

AR 621-5 Army Continuing Education System (ACES), dated 11 July 2006

AR 621-202 Army Educational Incentives and Entitlements, dated 26 September 2017

Handbook Army National Guard Education Benefits Handbook

GoArmyEd User Guide v5.0 Helpdesk Case Action and Response Guidelines

Section II Forms (Not Used)


Appendix B

Figure List (Not Used)


Glossary

Section I Abbreviations

AMHRR Army Military Human Resource Record

SOP standard operating procedure (formerly standing operating procedure, changed by JP 3-31 and JP 1-02)

Section II Terms

Course Planner Lists all the future courses that the Soldier needs in order to earn their degree.

Degree Plan Lists all the courses that the Soldier has taken, is taking, and will take in order to earn their degree.

G1 Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel (DCSPER); the senior military personnel officer (MILPO) at division and above.

G-1 The office and staff of the G1.

HR automated systems Computer programs and websites utilized by HR professionals to manage or update personnel records. These include, but are not limited to: SIDPERS (soon to be replaced by IPPS-A), iPERMS, GIMS, and RCAS.

HR work center Typically the battalion/squadron S-1 shop, this is the primary location for accomplishing human resources activities, such as input to HR automated systems and AMHRR management. It is the lowest organizational level containing human resources specialist duty positions (other than SRC-12 units).

SRC-12 A standard requirements code 12 unit, a reference to an Army unit type whose established mission is entirely HR-focused and whose personnel requirements are managed by the AG proponency, such as HR companies and postal platoons.

Unit The lowest level of military organization authorized a unit identification code (UIC), such as a company, troop, battery, flight, or detachment.

Updated: 3 October 2018

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)

1. What Is It?

FTA is financial assistance provided for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a Soldier’s professional and personal self-development goals.

(Reference: AR 621-5, Army Continuing Education System)

2. How Do I Qualify?

Tier 1: o Be currently serving in the ARNG and completed either Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Warrant

Officer Basic Course (WOBC), or Basic Officer Leaders Course (BOLC).

o Have not attained a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue an undergraduate academic

certificate, associate’s or bachelor's degree or

o Have attained a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue a graduate academic certificate or

o Have attained a bachelor's degree without the use of FTA and wish to pursue a master’s degree.

Tier 2: o Be currently serving in the ARNG and completed either Advanced Leader’s Course (ALC),

Warrant Officer Advanced Course (WOAC), Captain’s Career Course (CCC), or equivalent.

o Have attained a bachelor's degree with the use of FTA and wish to pursue a master’s degree.

Service Requirement/Obligation: o Have an ETS or MRD after completion of FTA funded course(s). o Officers and Commissioned Warrant Officers are subject to a four year Reserve Duty Service

Obligation (RDSO) OR a two year Active Duty Service Obligation (ADSO).

Additional Criteria: o The college is regionally or nationally accredited AND is a participant in GoArmyEd (GAE).

o The funded course(s) meets a requirement listed in your personalized degree plan provided by the

school (this can include prerequisite courses).

o You maintain an undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or a graduate GPA of 3.0 for FTA-funded courses.

o You must submit your FTA request at least 5 business days prior to course start date.

o NOTE! FTA is NOT authorized simultaneously with Chapter 1606/MGIB-SR or Chapter 1607/REAP for

the SAME course (Ref. DODI 1322.25).

3. What Do I Get?

FTA will pay up to $250 per semester hour and up to 16 SHs per fiscal year.

Lifetime limit of 130 undergraduate semester hours and 39 graduate semester hours. o Up to 21 additional semester hours for a Transition Certificate not previously received within the past

five years. Must apply within three years of anticipated separation.

FTA will pay toward one credential at each of the following levels: o Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Master Degree, Undergraduate/Graduate Certificate

o First Professional degrees are NOT eligible (i.e. doctorate degrees, Juris doctorates).

Updated: 3 October 2018

4. Programs NOT Eligible For FTA

Courses leading to a credential that are lower or lateral to the highest credential you have already earned. o Example: if you have a bachelor’s degree (even if you came in the ARNG with one), you cannot use

FTA to pursue a second bachelor’s or associate’s degree. Any program that bundles tuition and fees together into a lump sum charge. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or courses that do not meet degree requirement.

5. How Do I Apply?

Create a user account in GoArmyEd.com: o Go to www.goarmyed.com and establish a GAE Federal Tuition Assistance account by clicking on

the “New User” button and entering all required data.

Tips to remember when applying:

o Apply for FTA up to 60 days prior to the class start date, but no later than 5 business days prior to

the class start date (all FTA MUST be approved prior to the class start date).

o You must submit an FTA request for each individual course that you want FTA to fund.

o If your school charges by quarter hour or clock hour, GAE will automatically convert them into

semester hours on the FTA request.

o If your school’s courses are not listed in GAE (i.e. you have to physically enter your courses into each

FTA request), you must upload the following documentation into your GAE “Education Record” eFile:

Cost Verification Statement: individualized document such as a billing statement/invoice specific that

breaks out the cost of tuition and fees separately.

Class Schedule: individualized document that shows all courses to include class name, start date,

end date, course number, and number of credit hours.

All of these documents MUST have your name and the name of the school on them, and

cannot be in an editable format.

o After you complete six semester hours of FTA-funded coursework, you must provide an

individualized degree plan/student agreement to GAE.

o This document should list the courses required for completion of your degree, as well as the existing

credits already applied toward your degree.

o New FTA users and anyone who changes their degree plan are required to complete VIA (VIA is a

planning tool in GAE designed to help Soldiers identify their ‘best fit’ school).

For More Information: Apply On Line: www.goarmyed.com

Visit us On-Line: www.nationalguard.com/education Contact your Education Services Office: www.nationalguard.com/contacts/eso

Follow us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/arngeducation

http://www.goarmyed.com/

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