The National Guard offers excellent education benefits. And your service qualifies you to cash in. Whether you want to move up in rank or advance your civilian career, education is your ticket.
In addition to funding your degree or business training, the Guard also helps you—and members of your Family—with academic counseling services and testing for school credit. And many of these benefits increase, based on factors like your time in service or days spent on Active Duty.
To make the process easier, you can now begin and manage all your Federal Tuition Assistance requests and other education records through GoArmyEd, the Army's online gateway for education support. And for answers to your specific questions, you can contact your state Education Services Officer (ESO).
Check the sections below to learn more about all the Guard’s education programs and benefits, or click this link to download the National Guard's Education Benefits Handbook.
GI Bill – Earn up to $356 monthly expense allowance—totaling over $12,000 in a four-year period. Find the version that pays the most for your service. If you qualify for the Army National Guard Kicker, you’ll add even more.
Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) – The Guard will pay up to $4,500 per year, based on in-state tuition rates. You can use FTA with other financial assistance programs to easily cover up to 100 percent of your tuition.
Academic Testing – Find information about the SAT and ACT, graduate school exams, and tests that can help you earn academic credit for civilian and military experience (the CLEP, DSST and Excelsior exams). The Guard can also help pay for many of the tests to further your education.
Counseling Services – Keeping track of credits, planning your degree and tailoring it to a career can be a challenge. The education counselors at the Guard Support Center can answer questions and point you toward the right resources.
State Education Programs – Many states offer education benefits in addition to federal and GI Bill benefits. You may be able to fund 100 percent of your education and put money in your pocket. Find out what your state has to offer.
Additional Education Funding Resources – Learn about other resources that can make a big difference in finding military-friendly schools and paying for your degree.
FAQ – Many of the questions you have may already be answered for you. Check our list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) - This program repays existing student loans up to $50,000 for qualifying new Soldiers, prior service Soldiers and officers.
Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) - For healthcare professionals joining the Army Medical and Dental Corps, the Guard may repay up to $240,000 in medical school loans.
Guard Scholarships - Army National Guard/ROTC scholarships can help you pay for college and put extra money in your pocket every month.
GED Plus - If you left high school without a diploma, you may still be able to earn your GED and join the Guard under the GED Plus Program.
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.
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