National Guard Educational Benefits Remain Strong Despite Suspension of FTA
By: News Release -- Arkansas National Guard
Updated: March 18, 2013
CAMP ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ark. - The recent suspension of Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) across the Services directly impacts approximately 1,000 Arkansas National Guardsmen who take advantage of the benefit annually.
The Secretary of the Army approved suspension of the benefit across all components of the Army effective Friday, March 8, 2013. All branches of the military suffered a similar fate as the Department of Defense focuses on surviving the current fiscal challenges, while maintaining a priority of readiness.
Soldiers already approved for tuition assistance prior to the program's suspension are allowed to complete those current course enrollments, but no new requests for FTA are permitted at this time. But while the issue has sparked hot debate across the nation, there is somewhat of a silver lining in the Guard's Tuition Incentive Program (GTIP) among other remaining benefits.
GTIP is a state funded program offering up to $5,000 per year for eligible members of the Arkansas Army National Guard who are attending accredited Arkansas state institutions of higher learning. Up to $2,500 per semester may be applied to tuition, mandatory fees, and books in the spring and fall terms. All benefits are subject to the availability of funds.
Eligible Soldiers include those with a total of less than 10 years of service, who are qualified in their military skill and have an Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score of 50 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
In addition to GTIP, many Arkansas schools support the Arkansas National Guard with a 25 percent waiver of college tuition. While these benefits are unique to the National Guard, Arkansas Soldiers are also eligible for various other educational benefits that remain available for all members of the military. These benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill, the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and the Student Loan Repayment Program.
The Arkansas National Guard continues to value education and encourages its members to take advantage of all available educational opportunities. For more information on these opportunities, visit the Arkansas National Guard State Education Office webpage at http://www.arguard.org/Education/index.html.
The Secretary of the Army approved suspension of the benefit across all components of the Army effective Friday, March 8, 2013. All branches of the military suffered a similar fate as the Department of Defense focuses on surviving the current fiscal challenges, while maintaining a priority of readiness.
Soldiers already approved for tuition assistance prior to the program's suspension are allowed to complete those current course enrollments, but no new requests for FTA are permitted at this time. But while the issue has sparked hot debate across the nation, there is somewhat of a silver lining in the Guard's Tuition Incentive Program (GTIP) among other remaining benefits.
GTIP is a state funded program offering up to $5,000 per year for eligible members of the Arkansas Army National Guard who are attending accredited Arkansas state institutions of higher learning. Up to $2,500 per semester may be applied to tuition, mandatory fees, and books in the spring and fall terms. All benefits are subject to the availability of funds.
Eligible Soldiers include those with a total of less than 10 years of service, who are qualified in their military skill and have an Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score of 50 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
In addition to GTIP, many Arkansas schools support the Arkansas National Guard with a 25 percent waiver of college tuition. While these benefits are unique to the National Guard, Arkansas Soldiers are also eligible for various other educational benefits that remain available for all members of the military. These benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill, the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and the Student Loan Repayment Program.
The Arkansas National Guard continues to value education and encourages its members to take advantage of all available educational opportunities. For more information on these opportunities, visit the Arkansas National Guard State Education Office webpage at http://www.arguard.org/Education/index.html.
Comments
Despite the partisan hatred previously posted, this cut hurts young men and women whodepend on it to become better. The cuts are the fault of childish behavior by our elected members of Congress REGARDLESS of party. The next time your representative thanks tthem for thier service it will be an act of hypocracy.
Peter D.
March 18, 2013 at 7:22 pm
The military education benefit cuts are projected to save $600 million, about what the Obamas spent on their vacations over the last couple of years.
Karen M.
March 18, 2013 at 2:18 pm
The military education benefit cuts are projected to save $600 million, about what the Obamas spent on their vacations over the last couple of years.
Karen M.
March 18, 2013 at 2:18 pm
