1. Arkansas National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (NGTA)
LT Kimberly Douglas
Education Services Officer

2. NGTA Policy
In an effort to improve necessary strength and readiness levels in the Arkansas National Guard, the NGTA is authorized under state law as a benefit for qualifying Guardsmen and is based on eligibility criteria detailed in Act 471 of the 91st General Assembly, Arkansas National Guard Regulation , and by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

3. Agenda Eligibility Criteria Application process Submission deadlines
Authorized uses
Duplicate funding sources
Mobilizations and discharges
Terminations and recoupments
Exception to Policy

4. Eligibility Criteria
Currently serving in Arkansas Army or Air National Guard and meet all eligibility criteria at time of application (Letters of Good Standing will not be issued for Guardsmen wishing to use NGTA)
Arkansas Resident
Completed Initial Active Duty Training (basic training or credit through ROTC)
Does not currently hold a bachelor or higher degree
Enrolled in undergraduate degree producing program at Arkansas public institution of higher education
Completed FAFSA, Arkansas YOUniversal Financial Aid Application, and applied for grants and scholarships with institution in which enrolled

5. Eligibility Criteria (cont.)
Considered in “Good Standing” with enrolled institution (as defined by that institution)
Considered to be in “Good Standing” with the Arkansas Army or Air National Guard
Verified for Army Guardsmen through Education Services Office and Air Guardsmen through Unit Commander
Guardsmen under Suspension of Favorable Action (FLAG) for, but not limited to, AWOL, substance abuse violations, or any other serious misconduct at time of application are not eligible for NGTA.

6. Application Process
Guardsman enrolls in institution of higher education
Guardsman submits NGTA application to ESO
Eligibility verified by ESO; approval list uploaded to ADHE portal
ADHE verifies hours and dollars waived at end of each semester; reimburses institutions
Guardsman denied; notified by ESO
Guardsman notifies institution and submits FAFSA and YOUniversal applications
Institution verifies eligibility through ADHE

7. Submission Deadlines Apply at ARGuard.org/Education
Application, Statement of Understanding, FAQs, and copy of NGTA Regulation
Must apply for EACH semester and intersession course
May be submitted up to 60 days prior to start of course, but NO LATER THAN 30 days prior
ETPs may be requested through ESO

8. Authorized Uses Covered Not covered
Programs leading to undergraduate degree
Maximum of 120 semester credit hours or until completion of bachelor’s degree
Covers TUITION ONLY
Courses completed in prior semester
Guardsmen enrolled in high school and college concurrently
Exclusively online programs
All other costs (fees, room and board, textbooks, etc.)

9. Duplicate Funding Sources
Federal and State grants/scholarships- applied to tuition BEFORE NGTA
Grants/scholarships awarded by institution- applied to tuition BEFORE NGTA
Montgomery GI Bill (all Chapters) and the Kicker- may, but not required to, use NGTA with; NGTA will be applied BEFORE any GI Bill benefits/funds
Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)- may, but not required to, use with NGTA
NGTA REPLACES GTIP- few grandfathered Guardsmen already notified; no new applications will be accepted

10. Mobilizations/Discharges
Responsibility of Guardsman to notify institution immediately
Mobilization or deployment
Remain eligible for period of time equal to semester in which enrolled
Discharge (non-medical or medical not related to duties for Arkansas National Guard)
Remain eligible for semester in which enrolled at date of discharge
Medical Discharge
May remain eligible from date of discharge and either until completion of degree program in which enrolled, or for 5 years, whichever comes first

11. Terminations/Recoupment
Guardsman dismissed from institution for academic or disciplinary reasons, or drops course after the drop/add date- may be ineligible for NGTA and responsible for paying institution directly
Guardsman must not drop more than 6 semester credit hours while receiving benefit (unless due to mobilization/medical discharge)
Recoupment may be required for the following reasons:
Fraud or misrepresentation of application
Failure on part of Guardsman to complete semester in which benefit is awarded
Failure to maintain eligibility status with National Guard for entire semester in which NGTA was awarded

12. Exception to Policy
Guardsman may request ETP if denied for NGTA, has benefits terminated, or ordered to repay benefits
Guardsman must submit to ESO, in writing, within 60 days from date of termination/ recoupment or denial
ESO will coordinate with the institution and ADHE to resolve all ETP requests

13. Questions? Arkansas Army National Guard Education Services Office
Education Services Officer (501)
Education Assistant (501)
Educational Counselor (501)