Army College Fund

The Army College Fund (ACF) is an enlistment incentive option designed to aid in the recruitment of highly qualified Soldiers for critical or shortage Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). The ACF supplements the basic Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) entitlement.

References

Montgomery GI Bill Army College Fund Era

MGIB ACF Eligibility Criteria

The MGIB was enacted, under U.S. Code, Title 38, Chapter 30, on July 1, 1985. It is an educational entitlement earned by Soldiers who serve on active duty. The ACF, which is linked to the MGIB, is an enlistment incentive option, which must be included in a Soldier's initial enlistment agreement. The ACF is not a program for which an individual becomes eligible after entry on active duty. The program is not authorized for officers.

Soldiers offered the ACF as an incentive to enlist should have received documentation verifying entitlement to ACF on Department of Army (DA) Form 3286-66 which is part of the enlistment contract. Only certain MOS are authorized the ACF. The ACF has been available for two- to seven-year enlistments.

ACF must be earned. It is accrued monthly as long as the servicemember obtains and remains qualified for the MOS for which originally enlisted. As with the MGIB, the ACF will expire ten years after the servicemember's last discharge or release from active duty.

The ACF is an enlistment incentive. Anyone offered the ACF must meet the eligibility criteria listed below:

• Have no prior service.
• Enlist in the active Army from July 1, 1985 to present.
• Have a high school diploma at time of entry to active duty.
• Have an Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score of 50 or higher.
• Enlist in a specified MOS designated under the ACF program offered at the time of enlistment.
• Enroll and participate in basic MGIB.
• Enlist with ACF as part of the enlistment agreement.

Servicemembers forfeit ACF eligibility for:

• Failing to obtain and remain qualified in the MOS for which individual enlisted.
• Failing to complete the minimum time-in-service requirements.
• Note: Anyone separating prior to completing his/her initial enlistment, provided that he/she meets the eligibility criteria for MGIB, will receive a pro-rated portion of the ACF.

MGIB Era ACF Benefits

The ACF amounts that are offered during the MGIB era vary depending on the time period in which the individual entered active duty.

• From April 1, 1993 - October 1, 2004, ACF amounts listed on the servicemember's enlistment contract were combined with the MGIB.
• ACF amounts are fixed at the date of entry to active duty. Any future cost-of-living increases will be added to the basic MGIB portion only.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) Era

VEAP ACF Eligibility Criteria

The VEAP ACF was initiated in 1979 as a test program. The test program ran through FY80 and became permanent on October 1, 1981. The VEAP ACF remained in effect through June 30, 1985 (expiration of VEAP era); VEAP ACF was no longer offered after June 30, 1985.

The ACF is additional money (also known as a "kicker") added to the basic VEAP.

The ACF was an enlistment incentive. Any VEAP era servicemember who was offered the ACF as an incentive to enlist must have met the eligibility criteria listed below:

• Enlist in the Army as a non-prior service accession.
• Enlist in the active Army during the incentive test program period 1979 - 1981 or during October 1, 1981 - June 30, 1985.
• Have a high school diploma at time of entry to active duty.
• Have an AFQT score of 50 or higher.
• Enlist in a specified MOS designated under the ACF program at the time of enlistment.
• Enrolled and participated in basic VEAP.
• Enlist with ACF as part of the enlistment agreement.

Servicemembers forfeit ACF eligibility for:

• Failing to obtain and remain qualified in the MOS for which the individual enlisted.
• Failing to participate in VEAP for 12 consecutive months.

VEAP Era ACF Benefits

Withdrawals of personal VEAP contributions are authorized while serving on active duty. Any earned ACF will be lost with any withdrawal; however, the ACF can be reinstated if the individual re-enrolls. In accordance with AR 621-202, Chapter 4-8b, the lump sum must be used for this purpose.

There are many ways to contribute to VEAP that will affect the accrual of ACF and monthly payment rates. Refer to AR 621-202, Table 5-2, or an Army Education Center for examples or counseling.

Education and Training

Education programs and schools that are approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) include:

• Colleges courses
• Technical/Business/Vocational Schools
• Tutorial assistance, remedial and refresher training
• Residence/correspondence courses
• Apprenticeship and on-the-job training (OJT)
• Work-study programs
• Cooperative programs
• Flight training. (Must have private pilot's license first.)
• Use veterans education benefits for licensing and certification testing. NEW!

Note: Check www.gibill.va.gov to verify course eligibility.