Education
MORE STUDENT. LESS DEBT.
Joining the DC Army National Guard gives you more than just the pride of serving your country. You can earn benefits to help pay for your education and expenses, and complete your education while you serve. The DC Army National Guard offers many programs for every type of student, whether you’re still in high school, attending college or working toward a vocational certification.
Education Programs and Services
Federal Tuition Assistance
Up to $250 per semester hour, up to 16 semester hours for a total of $4,000 per fiscal year (Max TA and CA).
Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL)
You can work on any credential listed in Army COOL, concurrently or sequentially up to your TA/CA fiscal year limit of $4000.
State Tuition Assistance
The total amount of DC TA each service member may receive will not exceed $15,500 per Fiscal Year (FY), if maxing all fees; $15,000 for tuition and $500 for authorized fees. Any costs in excess of the annual rate are the responsibility of the service member.
G.I. Bill Programs
The GI Bill Programs are statutory entitlements administered by the military services and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Soldiers may receive up to 36 months in any one DVA educational assistance program and a maximum of 48 months of combined benefits if eligible for two or more programs. For the most current GI Bill information, contact your local recruiter.
Army Personnel Testing (APT)
APT encompasses standardized tests used to determine eligibility for specialized training and to support the Army’s personnel selection and classification process, including language proficiency testing (Reference: AR 611-5).
DANTES Programs
DANTES which stands for Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support provides numerous programs and services. This program assists service members seeking to further their voluntary education goals and objectives.
College Planning Assistance
Education counseling services are available to ARNG Soldiers by contacting your state education services office. Education counseling services are also available by contacting the Education Support Center at 1-866-ARNGEDU (276-4338) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, or by emailing arng.esc@mail.mil. Education counseling helps Soldiers meet education goals by providing guidance, advice, and planning assistance.
Education Support Programs
The Departments of Defense, the Army, Veterans Affairs, Labor, and Education offer education counseling programs to help you decide your academic future. There are also several non-governmental programs designed to help you succeed in your educational endeavors.
Spouse Education Support
Several programs are available to military spouses to assist with furthering their education.
Financial Aid & Grants
Every year, organizations award billions of dollars in scholarships and grants to students. According to the College Board, scholarships are usually based on specific qualities (e.g., merit or ability), while grants are typically based on financial need. Government organizations, colleges, and private organizations are common sources of scholarships and grants.
College Scholarships
Many nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies offer college scholarships to service members and their spouses and children. Each scholarship has its own eligibility requirements and award amount. The funds from scholarships do not require repayment.