Education Benefits
The Georgia National Guard Service-Cancelable Loan (SCL) pays up to 100% of the undergraduate tuition rate, for up to 120 semester hours, at any Georgia public college or university, but you can apply that money to any degree at that school (Certificate, Diploma, Associate’s, Bachelor’s, First Professional, Master’s, or Doctorate), regardless of prior degrees. (Some private schools also participate, with funding limits.)
Can combine SCL, FTA, GA HOPE Scholarship, GA HERO Scholarship, and a GI Bill.
2 years of service in good standing with the Georgia National Guard cancels the loan; no cost to you. All Georgia Guardsmen can apply (Army/Air, M-Day/DSG, officer/enlisted, AGR/Tech).
Must maintain good grades and turn in a Verification of Status (VOS) form every year (and for 2 years after you last use it), or SCL will convert to a regular student loan.
More info: Here
As of 1 Oct 2024, this chapter of the GI Bill pays up to $481/month (pro-rated based on part-time/full-time, online/in-person, etc.) directly to you, not to the school. Soldiers eligible for the ARNG Kicker incentive have access to an additional $200-$350/month (also pro-rated).
Can combine SCL, FTA, GA HOPE Scholarship, GA HERO Scholarship, and a GI Bill.
GI Bill programs can also be used for: certificate programs, co-op tng., tech./vocational courses, flight tng., apprenticeship/OJT, high-tech tng., license/certification tests, entrepreneurship tng., entrance exams, correspondence courses.
Requires 6-year enlistment/reenlistment (DD Form 4), extension (DA Form 4836), or Officer Service Agreement (DA Form 5447) in the Selected Reserve (the actively drilling Guard and Reserve).
Upon confirmation of eligibility, the GI Bill Manager will produce a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) and place it in iPERMS. To use a GI Bill, you’ll need to apply at va.gov to obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to give to your school’s certifying official.
More info: Here
Pays up to $250/semester hour, for tuition only, towards one Bachelor’s and one Master’s degree. Max 16 hours/year. Max 130 hours toward Bachelor’s degree, 39 hours toward Master’s degree.
Can combine SCL, GA HOPE Scholarship, GA HERO Scholarship, and a GI Bill (including Ch.1606 as of 4 May 2021, so long as your “rate of pursuit” (how many classes you’re taking) is considered half-time or more).
Must maintain good grades or the funds will be recouped.
Your FTA request must be submitted at least 8 days prior to class start date, and it must be approved by the FTA Manager before classes start. This is not a simple or one-day process. (Window opens 60 days before classes start.)
More info: Here
Pays up to 100% of tuition (depending on months of qualifying active duty), plus fees and a housing stipend (unless you are part-time or already receive BAH on a set of orders that also qualifies for Ch.33). The payments go to both the school and to you.
Can combine SCL, FTA, GA HOPE Scholarship, GA HERO Scholarship, and a GI Bill.
90 cumulative days of qualifying service = 50%; 6 mo. = 60%; 18 mo. = 70%; 24 mo. = 80%; 30 mo. = 90%; 36 mo. = 100%.
Some of the qualifying missions include: 12301(h) missions like Sinai and certain 502(f) missions including Operation Noble Eagle, Southwest Border (depending on dates), COVID-19, and Inauguration support.
GI Bill programs can also be used for: certificate programs, co-op tng., tech./vocational courses, flight tng., apprenticeship/OJT, high-tech tng., license/certification tests, entrepreneurship tng., entrance exams, correspondence courses.
To use a GI Bill, you’ll need to apply at va.gov to obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to give to your school’s certifying official.
You can transfer your earned months of benefit to dependents (TEB) via DMDC milConnect. Requires 6 yrs of service already served, plus agree to serve 4 more. Dependent children can use it once they reach college age and after you have served at least 10 yrs
The GA HERO Scholarship can pay up to $2,000 per year for 4 years for Soldiers with a combat deployment with the GA Guard following September 2001.
Can combine SCL, FTA, GA HOPE Scholarship, GA HERO Scholarship, and a GI Bill.
Payments go directly to the school via the student's account. This includes tuition, fees, and other costs.
This benefit is eligible for use at public colleges. Some private schools in the state also participate. This benefit must be used before separating from service if the Service Member is using the benefit for self. Dependent children who were born before the end of the deployment are eligible for this scholarship once they are college-aged; each child earns one year of the scholarship, for a maximum of 4 years, for every 181 days you were in theater drawing hostile fire/imminent danger pay. A spouse can only use this benefit if the service member is killed or disabled from combat.
University of North Georgia Military Scholarship Loan Program
The "Georgia Military Scholarship" or "North Georgia Scholarship" covers room and board, tuition, fees, uniforms, and books for up to 4 years at University of North Georgia (UNG). (Total $76,000).
Georgia Military College State Service Scholarship Loan Program
The "State Service Scholarship" or "GMC Scholarship" covers room and board, tuition, fees, uniforms, and books for up to 2 years at Georgia Military College. (Total $40,000).
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