The National Guard supports your civilian educational dreams and goals, and can help you pay your tuition. Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) (as opposed to those opportunities which may exist in your state) is available through GoArmyEd and has these current caps:
In light of these caps, it’s in your best interest to work with an Education Counselor and choose your coursework wisely. Your counselor can assist you with various assessment tools to help you. (You can use the PReP assessment tool in GoArmyEd to help you decide.)
You will be required to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better to use FTA. Soldiers whose GPA falls under 2.0 (or 3.0 for Graduate students) will be placed on a funding hold until their GPA improves to the minimums. If you fail a course, you will have to pay back that FTA money.
You can use FTA with other financial assistance programs (like state waivers and the GI Bill), but there may be restrictions. For more information about tuition assistance in your state, click on your state (link will take you to U.S. map) to contact personnel in the State Education Office, or ask your recruiter. For more information about the GI Bill, talk to your GI Bill Manager.
GoArmyEd provides you with the ability to apply for FTA online and manage your education record—anytime/anywhere. To establish an account, go to GoArmyEd, click on the “New User” button on the bottom of the page and follow the instructions. Make sure to follow all the instructions, provide the necessary information, and participate in the required training.
If you’re not interested in a degree but are interested in certification—since many business fields and trades require education credits for certification, licensure or credentialing—then these courses may be eligible for tuition assistance. Learn more about testing, licensing and certification.
Additional education funding resources include grants and scholarships. These require filing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Some may provide living expenses, depending on the terms. Learn more about Additional Education Funding Resources.
Current Guard Soldiers can get information on education programs by emailing the Guard Support Center or calling 1-866-628-5999. If you would like to join the Guard and take advantage of these benefits, click Join the Guard below.
Your total enlistment period will be eight years, but you can serve as little as three or six years, and spend the remainder in IRR (Individual Ready Reserve).
Learn moreAbsolutely. Your Guard service is only part time—just one weekend per month, and one two-week period each year.
See how the Guard helps with school.Recruits need to meet certain standards of height, weight, age, fitness and education in order to enlist.
Learn about the Guard's eligibility requirements.Yes. Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas.
Learn more about about training.MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, METS stands for Military Entrance Testing Site.
Learn moreThe Guard is a military branch that serves both state and federal governments, at home and overseas.
Find out more about the Guard.Guard pay is based on your rank and the number of years you've served, along with incentives like hazardous-duty pay.
Contact a representative to learn more.Your pay depends on a few different factors, but you won't make less than $183 for every weekend you drill.
Find out more about Guard pay.Different states may offer commissioning bonuses for critical skill positions. Please check with your local Guard representative for current bonus information.
Learn more about becoming an officer.Yes, you will be paid for every day you work.
Find out about Annual Training pay.There are different ways to become an officer. If you’re heading to college, the ROTC program is the way to go.
View how to become an officer.The training period varies for each job.
Learn moreFor certain career specialties, particularly medical professions, the Guard will reimburse student loans.
Contact a Guard representative.Find jobs in your area on our Job Board.
Learn moreIn two major ways: getting promotions and activating retirement benefits.
Learn more from a Guard representative.If you've completed Army or Marine Corps Basic Training, you won't need to repeat BCT. Most other prior service personnel will need to attend BCT (except USAF and USN Special Operations personnel). Your recruiter has details.
Talk to a Guard representative.Yes, provided you can complete 20 years of total military service by age 62.
Learn more about retirement benefits.As a National Guard Soldier, you get good pay and great benefits, and continue building toward a military retirement—while serving your country in a part-time status.
Learn moreYou are eligible for this benefit only once in your career. Once it has ended, it cannot be reinstated, even with a new enlistment contract.
Learn more.Your Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefit is suspended while you are AGR. You may need to extend your enlistment to have it reinstated once you return as a traditional drilling Soldier.
Learn more.Eligibility for Chapter 1607 is based on Title 10 Active Duty periods. The Border Mission is Title 32 and not considered a mobilization eligible for Chapter 1607.
Learn more.If you are released from Active Duty prior to completing 90 days due to an illness or injury in the line of duty, you will receive Chapter 1607 benefits at a 40 percent rate.
Learn more.You cannot receive payment from more than one benefit program at a time.
Learn more.Your estimated total for the first year.
*DetailsPlease understand that these calculations are only estimates and that a recruiter will have the most up-to-date information about benefits.
Because of the broad range of pay options, the Pay Calculator does not apply to Medical Professional Officers.
[X] CloseNational Guard | Privacy Policy | Tech Support | Hide Site Map [-] | View Full Site Map
© 2012 - United States Army National Guard