Educational Benefits Summary
The Wisconsin Army National Guard enables you to pursue your education and prepares you for the future without compromising your goals. This page explains the unique educational benefits offered by the Wisconsin Army National Guard. This may be the last place you need to look for financial assistance for a college education. Contact the Wisconsin Army National Guard Education Office for further details. Don't forget to email your friends about this site.
Example of Potential Benefits
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Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant Program
All Wisconsin National Guard enlisted members and warrant officers in good standing who do not possess a bachelor's degree are eligible to receive the Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Assistance Grant. This benefit may be used towards 8 semesters of your college education. This tax-free tuition "grant" is paid as a reimbursement to the soldier / student after completing a class or semester of school. To qualify for this entitlement, you must be working towards a degree or diploma.
The Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant Program will pay a grant to soldiers the lesser of an amount equal to 100 percent of the actual tuition charged by a qualifying school or 100 percent of the rate calculated by the University of Wisconsin Madison (currently calculated as $2,627.04 per semester maximum).
Soldiers enlisting in the Wisconsin National Guard on 25 July 2003 or later may use the Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant at an extension division or any campus of the University of Wisconsin System, a public institution of higher education under the Minnesota-Wisconsin student reciprocity agreement, a public institution of higher education under a statutorily approved interstate agreement, or an accredited institution of higher education, as defined in 20 USC 1002, that is physically located within the State of Wisconsin. Soldiers enlisting in the Wisconsin National Guard prior to that date may be able to use the grant outside the state of Wisconsin.
College students currently enrolled in college, who enlist during a semester, may be eligible to have their tuition reimbursed for that semester.
For detailed information on all of these programs, contact your local Guard representative or the Education Services Office at (800) 292-9464, Ext. 4
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Montgomery GI Bill
The Selected Montgomery GI Bill, Chapter 1606 (MGIB) is a federal program administered by the Veteran's Administration (VA) which pays you up to $10,692 in tax-free financial assistance for eight semester's of college. A full-time student (12 credits or more) may receive $297 a month for 36 months.
Enlisted soldiers, commissioned officer's, and warrant officers must enlist, reenlist, or extend for six years to qualify for thirty-six months (four years of college) of educational assistance. Eligibility is for ten years from entitlement date. To receive benefits the member must be a high school graduate (or equivalent) before completing advanced individual training (AIT) and currently attending a post secondary school.
The Montgomery GI Bill will pay benefits directly to you under the following guidelines:
| |
Course Hours |
Monthly
Benefit |
 |
Maximum
Months |
12 or more |
$297.00 |
|
36 |
9 - 11 |
$222.00 |
|
48 |
6 - 9 |
$147.00 |
|
72 |
1 - 5 |
$74.25 |
|
120 |
|
|
If you have any questions, you may call the Education Services Officer (ESO) at (800) 292-9464, Ext. 4, or email questions to education@wi.ngb.army.mil. Interested officers should call the ESO.
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Army National Guard Montgomery GI Bill Kicker
Wisconsin Army National Guard members who receive the Montgomery GI Bill may also be eligible to receive the Army National Guard GI Bill Kicker. If eligible, you could receive an extra $200 a month, in addition to the MGIB entitlement.
This benefit may be worth $7,200 to a soldier. To find out how to qualify, contact an Army National Guard representative.
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Student Loan Repayment Plan (SLRP)
Wisconsin Army National Guard members in good standing who have preexisting student loans may qualify for the student loan repayment program (SLRP). This program will repay up to $20,000. After completing a qualifying year, the Guard will pay a minimum of 15% or $500.00 with a cap of $3,000.00 on principal for the years of the initial enlistment contract. To qualify, non-prior service members enlisting for the SLRP need to score 50 or greater on the ASVAB, be MOS qualified, enlist into a vacant slot and enlist for at least 3 years. Prior service members with existing loans who join the National Guard may also be eligible for this incentive.
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Federal Tuition Assistance Program
.This program provides tuition assistance to traditional officer and enlisted soldiers. Soldiers can expect to receive up to 100% or $250.00 per credit hour. Soldiers may use FTA for payment of segregated fees. This assistance is good up to $4,500 per fiscal year (1 October through 30 September). Funding for this program is limited by the annual budget. This is an “up-front” program with the funds being paid directly to the school. Soldiers need to apply online at www.virtualarmory.com prior to the last date of the late registration period for the respective coursework/school. Evidence of completion of coursework needs to be provided to the FTA Manager within 30 days of course completion.
In some cases this program may be used in conjunction with the Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant Program, not to exceed 100% of tuition. Soldiers may use their MGIB and MGIB Kicker with this program (both reserve and active duty), provided they are not using their active duty MGIB with an ARNG kicker. Soldiers interested in receiving more information on this program should contact the Education Services Office Tuition Assistance Manager at (800) 292-9464, Ext. 4.
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College Level Examination Program (CLEP Test)
"CLEP" tests are designed to assist all students with post secondary education goals. CLEP exams are offered to Wisconsin National Guard soldiers free of charge at Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) test sites located throughout the state.
DANTES test sites located in Wisconsin are:
|
Camp Douglas (608) 427-7280 |
|
|
Chippewa Falls (715) 726-9666 |
|
| Madison (608) 242-3447 |
|
| Milwaukee (414) 747-7120 and (414) 961-8658 |
| Fort McCoy (608) 388-7274 |
| Superior (715) 392-7877 |
Service members and their spouses may take more than 80 CLEP and DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) exams free of charge. Individuals interested in taking a free CLEP or DSST should contact one of the test centers for a study guide. One thing to remember about the CLEP program is to be sure that your school accepts these credits before you take one. DANTES website is http://voled.doded.mil/dantes or 1-800-482-5433.
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Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC)
"SOC" are composed of colleges throughout the state and nation that understand the difficulty you may encounter when attempting to complete a college degree. This program is designed to assist military personnel in achieving their educational goals. These colleges will recognize your military training, schools, and experience as equivalent credit toward college degrees. SOC schools will assess your military background and assign college credit whenever applicable. This can reduce the amount of time that it takes to finish school. For a list of SOC in Wisconsin call the ESO at (800) 292-9464, Ext. 4 or email questions to education@wi.ngb.army.mil.
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Army American Council On Education Registry Transcript (AARTS)
AARTS is a program designed to provide a soldier a head start in earning a college degree. Service members can earn college credit for their military experience through evaluations conduced by the American Council on Education (ACE). AARTS has been developed to properly evaluate the experience of service members for the granting of college credit.
Through this program, you may receive credit toward associate and bachelor's programs. Studies show this program is widely accepted by colleges and universities. It is important to note the individual institutions make the final determination on the number of credits that it will award. Soldiers entering the military prior to October 1981 may contact the Education Services Office for information on the METEC program. Soldiers currently in the WIARNG can receive a consultation by contacting the Education Services Office MGIB Guidance Counselor at (800) 292-9464, Ext. 4 or email questions to education@wi.ngb.army.mil.
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Free Annual College Scholarships
To go to the homepage of the college of your choice, click on the name of the college below.
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Contact Education Officer
The Wisconsin Army National Guard Education Officer may be contacted at (800) 292-9464, Ext. 4 or emailed at education@wi.ngb.army.mil. |
