West Virginia National Guard Education Services Office

The West Virginia National Guard Education Services Office mission is to support the strategic objectives of the West Virginia National Guard by providing world-class educational opportunities to enhance recruiting and retention capabilities and increase the readiness of the force through education.

Step-By-Step Guide to State and Federal Tuition Assistance Application

Confused or nervous about applying for Tuition Assistance (TA) as you begin school or training? The WVNG EEP Office has released a step-by-step guide to applying for State and Federal Tuition Assistance specifically for WVNG Soldiers and Airmen. The slideshow is a great way to troubleshoot registration issues as well as a detailed explanation of the process, forms, websites and contacts. CLICK HERE for PDF.

West Virginia Educational Encouragement Program (WVEEP State Tuition Assistance)

WVEEP will pay up to 100% of tuition and allowable fees as approved by TAG and noted on the application to an accredited college/university located within West Virginia. The current cap is $9,000 per year.

Fiscal Year - July through June; Payment will not exceed tuition and fees.
Open to all members of the WVNG, who have completed Basic Combat Training/ Basic Military Training.
Must apply by 1 May for the fall term, 1 November for the spring term or 60 days prior class start date for non-traditional programs and/or the summer term.
Must meet all other service requirements.
Effective 1 January 2023, all Army and Air National Guard Service Members are required to utilize Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) and U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Education benefits, such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill or any other program that pays tuition or fees directly to the institutions of higher education for payment prior to the use of state funds under WVEEP. This guidance is applicable for all higher education (certification, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree) as federal programming availability allows.

For information, contact the Education Services Office at 304-561-6361.

View the WVEEP Joint Pamphlet 141-83 (15 Dec 2022 updated)

FY22 Army National Guard Education Handbook

To Register and Apply please go to: State Tuition Assistance Website.

FOLLOW WVNG Education Office to get latest updates and reminders:

FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM LINKEDIN YOUTUBE TWITTER PODCAST

GI Bill

Chapter 1606- 6-year contract, completed IADT/OBC, High School Diploma or equivalent.
Chapter 30- Minimum of 2 years active-duty service or AGR, paid the $1,200 contribution.
Chapter 33 – 90 days of aggregate Active-Duty service after 9/11/01. Can be transferred to dependents of Soldiers with at least 6 years of service. Soldiers must have 4 years retainability. Offers a tuition payment to school, as well as stipends for books, supplies, and housing. (E-5 BAH with dependents).
- COVID-19 Chapter 33 GI Bill information

* Current FY rates can be found at here.

* To apply for GI Bill Benefits go to:https://www.vets.gov/education/apply-for-education-benefits/application/1990/introduction

Federal Tuition Assistance

Receive 100% of tuition cost up to $250 per semester hour
Up to 16 semester hours per fiscal year
One degree at each level: Associates, Bachelor's and Master's
Fees may not be funded
May apply within 60 days prior of course start date (NLT 7 days prior to course start date)
Must be serving in good standing in the ARNG and have a Common Access Card (CAC)
Not flagged or pending unfavorable action
Service Obligation/Requirement:
- Officers/Warrant Officers - Subject to a two-year active duty service obligation (ADS)) or four-year reserve duty obligation (RDSO)
- Enlisted - Have an ETS or MRD after completion of FTA funded course(s)
- Maintain 2.0 GPA for undergraduate or 3.0 for graduate courses
- Career semester hour limits apply
- Can be recouped for failing grades
Apply at ArmyIgnitEd.

Helpdesk 1-866-ARNGEDU (276-4338)

Incentives and Student Loan Repayment Program

Reenlistment Extension Bonuses (REB) 6 years, $20,000, Payments 50%/50%
Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) 6 years up to $50,000

Student Loan Repayment Program Instructions | DD2475 for Service Member signature

For information on eligibility requirements contact our office at 304-561-6361.

Testing – APT

Standardized tests provided to determine eligibility for specialized training and to support the Army’s personnel section and classification process, including language proficiency testing
Must be an actively drilling member of the Army National Guard.
DLPT and AFCT exams available. Contact our office for test dates at 304-561-6361.
Soldiers are eligible to take DANTES tests with reimbursement.

For more information or to apply, contact our office at 304-561-6361.

Education and Career Counseling

The Education Services Office provides a wide variety of counseling options to assist our Service Members with education and/or career planning.

College transcript evaluations
Joint Services Transcript (JST) and Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) evaluations
Degree planning
Scholarships
Career Focus
Resources available upon request

Students Rights Flow Chart

ARMY AGR Information

New AGR Soldiers are required to undergo the process for election/declination of The Active Duty GI Bill (Title 38, US Code, Chapter 30). This is an entitlement offered to all active duty service members (AGR) upon initial entry on Active Duty and is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).

Disqualifying factors for eligibility for this benefit include:

a. Service Academy Graduate

b. ROTC Scholarship Graduate, receiving more than $3400 during every year of an ROTC program, and/or;

c. Previously declined in writing

d. Active Component/AGR (Title 10) prior to 1 July 1985

e. AGR (Title 32) prior to 29 November 1989

You are allowed a total of 36 months of benefits for any one GI Bill program, and a max of 48 months if you are eligible for two or more GI Bill programs. You should contact the DVA at 1-888-442-4551 to verify the number of months of benefit that you have used & the number of months of benefit that you have remaining.

You must have completed at least 30 continuous months of qualifying active duty BEFORE you can collect any Chapter 30 benefits. While you are on Active Duty you can only receive Federal funding up to the cost of tuition and fees for your course/program. If you are using Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) then you can only use Chapter 30 for the same class in the form of “Top Up”. If FTA does not pay all the tuition and fees for your course/program then you can use your Ch 30 to pay the remainder owed for the tuition and fees.

In accordance with (IAW) Title 38, USC, Ch 30 and paragraph 5.3.2, Department of Defense Directive (DODD) 1322.16 dated 18 June 2002, eligible Active Duty service members must make an IRREVOCABLE election to ACCEPT or DECLINE the benefit.

An IRREVOCABLE election must be made within 30 days of hire. Service members enrolling in this benefit are required to make a $1200 contribution by a lump sum payment or monthly allotment (only current AGR). If you ACCEPT, your pay will be reduced by a monthly allotment of $100 for 12 months totaling $1200.

The Active Duty GI Bill pays for college/university courses, certificate, diploma, independent study, correspondence courses, and including flight, vocational, apprenticeship and on-the-job training.

To apply, gather the following documents and make an account/log into the State Tuition Assistance Website https://apps.wv.gov/WVEEP/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Federal tuition Assistance
1. How much does FTA pay for tuition
  
  $250 per credit hour up to 16 credit hour credit hours per fiscal year
2. What type of degree can I pursue using FTA?
  
  Associates
  
  Bachelors
  
  Masters
  
  Certificate
  
  License
  
  You must be pursuing a degree higher than the one you currently hold.
3. Is there a GPA requirement for Federal Tuition Assistance
  
  You must maintain a 2.0 GPA for an undergraduate degree, and a 3.0 for a graduate degree program. Any class that is under a C for undergraduate, and under a B for graduate courses will be recouped.
4. When should I have my FTA request submitted?
  
  Between 60 to 10 days before the start date of the course. Classes that are not approved BEFORE the start date of classes cannot be approved.
5. What is the process for applying for Federal Tuition Assistance
  
  You will need to log onto www.armyignited.army.mil and create a student account. Once that is complete, you will select your education pathway. Once the pathway is completed, you must complete a tuition assistance request (TAR) by selecting each course you are requesting and upload any documentation.
GI Bill
1. How do I apply for my GI Bill?
  You will need to go to www.va.gov and click “Apply for Education Benefits”. Click “Find your education benefits form”, under “How Do I Apply?”. Answer the questions and click “Apply Now”
2. What is the process for receiving my GI Bill and what should I do.
  
  First you need to do the online application for GI Bill. After you complete the application, you will need to contact the VA representative at your school and let them know you need them to certify your enrollment. After that, you will be required to verify your enrollment monthly at www.gibill.va.gov/wave or call 1-877-823-2378. This will trigger your monthly payment from the GI bill you are using.
3. What do I need to be eligible for the GI Bill
  
  Different chapters of the GI Bill have different requirements.
  
  Chapter 1606- HS diploma or equivalent, 6yr. Contract, completion of IADT
  
  Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill) 90 days of accumulative Active Duty service after September 11^th 2001, excluding ADOS.
  
  Chapter 30 requires at least 2 years of consecutive Active Duty title 10 time and the Soldier to buy into the GI Bill for $1200 at 100 a month.
4. Can I use GI Bill and tuition assistance at the same time?
  
  Chapter 33 and Chapter 30 can only be used to cover the difference between the cost of courses and Federal Tuition Assistance.
  
  If the Soldier is still on active duty they can only draw the money from their GI Bill up to the cost of courses.
5. I applied for my GI Bill and was denied and don’t believe I'm ineligible. What do I do?
  
  You first should contact the GI Bill manager with the WVARNG Office. Once and if you are deemed eligible, you will need to appeal the denial by applying again for the GI Bill by completing the application on www.va.gov.
6. How do I get a copy of my NOBE?
  
  The easiest way to obtain a copy of your NOBE is to check your iPERMS file. When NOBES are drafted, they are immediately placed into the Soldier’s iPERMS file. You can also contact your unit Representative who will request a NOBE from the Education Office.
7. Am I required to provide a copy of my NOBE to my school’s VA rep?
  
  No, the NOBE is merely a counseling document. VA reps at school, are simple verifying your enrollment, not eligibility. If the VA rep at the school requires a NOBE before certifying enrollment please contact he WVARNG Education Office.
8. Can my dependents use my GI Bill.
  
  You are eligible to transfer your eligibility to Chapter 33 to dependents. Information on the Transfer can be obtained, as well as performing the transfer at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect
9. Can I use my GI Bill for my Doctorate Degree?
  
  Yes.
10. How do I determine how many months I have remaining on the GI Bill?
  
  Service Members have 36 months of eligibility of any chapter of the GI Bill, with a total of 48 months available if the SM is eligible for more than one GI Bill. To determine how many months they have remaining of GI Bill benefits, they must contact he Department of Veterans affairs by calling 1888gibill1 or visiting www.va.gov
11. How much money will I make using the GI Bill?
  
  Different chapters of the GI Bill have different payment amounts. Those amounts also varies each year. The most up to date payment amounts can be found at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/comparison_tool.asp
12. What is a kicker and how do I determine if I have one?
  
  The kicker is an incentive you would have contracted for at either the time of your enlistment, reenlistment, or joining a simultaneous membership program (SMP). If is an additional amount of money paid in addition to your GI Bill. Your kicker contract should be in your iPERMS file, or on request from the Education Office.
State Tuition Assistance (WVEEP)
1. What is the application deadline?

The application deadlines are 1 May for the fall term and 1 November for the spring term. Applications for non-traditional programs and/or cohorts not operating on a traditional semester basis are due 60 days from the start of the first day of classes.

2. Where do I apply?

You apply for WVEEP at https://go.wv.gov/guardtuition

3. Which schools are approved to participate?

The list of approved institutions is extensive. Schools must be located in West Virginia, and they must be accredited. To determine if your institution is approved, contact the Education Services Office at 304-561-6361.
Counseling Services
1. What type of counseling will be available to me through the WVNG Education Service Office?
The Education Services Office can assist with academic and career planning for both the Service Member and his or her eligible dependents.

2. Is counseling required for all Service Members?
After May 1, 2018, counseling will be required for all Service Members new to the State Tuition Assistance program (WVEEP).

3. Do I have to be actively participating in the State Tuition Assistance program to receive academic or career counseling?
No. You can request assistance at any time provided you are active with the WVNG.

4. Who do I talk to in order to initiate counseling?
You can contact the Education Services Office at 304-561-6361 to begin the counseling process.

5. What is a degree plan?
A degree plan is a forecast of your future studies from beginning to end. All new participants with the State Tuition Program after May 1, 2018 will be required to submit a degree plan which has been reviewed and signed by his/her institutional academic advisor.

6. What if I change my major?
Do I have to submit a new degree plan? Yes. You must submit a degree plan applicable to your current major.

7. What is JST?
JST stands for Joint Services Transcripts. It is used by Army, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard and serves as an official documentation of military training. Each Service Member’s records are reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE) and recommended for vocational or college level credit. JST records apply to all enlisted Service Members, officers, and warrant officers.

8. How do I get a copy of my JST?
Your JST records can be retrieved at https://jst.doded.mil/smart/signIn.do or www.jst.doded.mil and you must use your CAC to sign in.

9. What are CCAF records?
CCAF refers to the Community College of the Air Force. Training records for this branch of service are retrieved at https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803247/community-college-of-the-air-force-transcripts/

10. What is PLA?
PLA refers to prior learning assessment. As a participant in the State Tuition Assistance Program after May 1, 2018, you will be required to submit your JST or CCAF records to the WVNG Education Office upon application. A counselor will review your records against your degree plan to determine if any credits earned through your military service can be utilized toward your degree plan. This option, may allow you to reduce the number of overall credits you must complete to obtain your certification or degree.
Army Credentialing
- Receive up to $4,000/fiscal year (max FTA and CA)
- Maximum of $1,000/year to pay for select aviation related credentials (Active Duty/AGR Soldiers only)
- Pays expenses for course materials, supplies, textbooks, and exam
- Can be used for any credential listed on www.cool.osd.mil/army and does not have to be related to the Soldier’s MOS
- All expenses are paid prior to course/exam start date. (Soldiers who pay out of pocket will not be reimbursed.)
- Funding for more than 1,600 credentials
- Ensure your credential is listed on Army COOL at: https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/search/CredSearchAlpha.htm
Apply at www.armyignited.army.mil.

Helpdesk 1-866-ARNGEDU (276-4338)

Education Office Contacts

Edu Services Contacts
Education Services Officer- (304) 561-6370

WVEEP Director- (304) 561-6750

GI Bill Manager/Testing- (304) 561-6359

Operations Assistant- (304) 561-6366

Operations Assistant- (304) 561-6306

Useful Links

MyVolEdPath
ArmyCool
Kuderjourney
US Dept. of Education
Financial Aid
military Onesource Voluntary Educaiton
US Dept. of Labor
Social Media
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/WV-National-Guard-Education-and-Incentives-854869024649775

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wvngeducation/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/wvngeducation

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/west-virginia-national-guard-education-and-incentives-0166481ab/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWW4E8-6G_yzwdKDGU5mKeQ

Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/4osqiYRf1J65INocHBM8Dd