Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) is financial assistance provided for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a Soldier’s professional and personal self-development goals.

• Be currently serving in the ARNG
  
• Not be Flagged
• Evaluated Degree plan is required after 2 classes are completed in ArmyIgnitED

·  Officers and Commissioned Warrant Officers are subject to a four year Reserve Duty Service Obligation (RDSO) or a two year Active Duty  Service Obligation (ADSO).

·  The college must be regionally or nationally accredited AND is a participant in ArmyIgnitED.

·  The funded course(s) meets a requirement listed in your personalized degree plan provided by the school (this can include prerequisite courses).

·  You maintain an undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or a graduate GPA of 3.0 for FTA-funded courses.

·  Soldiers must request TA up to 60 days before the term start date but no later than 7 days prior to the term start.

·  If the Supervisor Review has not been completed 5 calendar days PRIOR to the Term Start Date, the TAR is deleted and the Soldier may not be eligible to resubmit.

• FTA will pay up to $250 per semester hour and up to 18 semester hours per fiscal year (restarts 1 OCT each year).
• Lifetime limit of 130 undergraduate semester hours and 39 graduate semester hours.
• Up to 21 additional semester hours for a certificate.
• FTA will pay toward one credential at each of the following levels:
  • Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Master Degree, Undergraduate/Graduate Certificate
  • First Professional degrees are NOT eligible (i.e. doctorate degrees, Juris doctorates)
• Can be combined with State Tuition Assistance (TN STRONG Act). STRONG Act can cover fees and be used as a top up to tuition rates exceeding the $250 per semester cap. 
• Effective 4 May 2021, FTA is authorized to be used simultaneously with CH 1606 MGIB-SR for the SAME course.

• Courses leading to a credential that are lower or lateral to the highest credential you have already earned.
  • Example: if you have a bachelor’s degree (even if you came in the ARNG with one), you cannot use FTA to pursue a second bachelor’s or an associate’s degree.
  • Any program that bundles tuition and fees together into a lump sum charge.
  • Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or courses that do not meet a degree requirement.

This is the website to login with your CAC card and request FTA: https://armyignited.cce.af.mil/student/account/login 

Any Issues accessing the site please contact the Helpdesk Phone Number: 276-231-0938 or email: ArmyIgnitEDHelp@army.mil

You have 60 days prior to the start date to request up to the week prior to the start date. You must request TA no later than 7 days in advance of your course start date.  If the courses start within 7 days, it is too late for FTA. You will need to secure other funds for the term.  

1. All Soldiers who have not previously used ArmyIgnitEd to request FTA must complete ArmyIgnitED 101 & Kuder Journey training. This new requirement does NOT extend the request window. NO EXCEPTIONS will be given for not having all FTA requirements completed BEFORE the 8-day policy deadline. Create a message in ArmyIgnitEd for further guidance.
2. Enrollment requests must be submitted through ArmyIgnitEd 8 days prior to the course start date.
3. TA is requested on a course-by-course basis, and each course must be part of an approved degree program.
4. ArmyIgnitED will notify the Soldier whether the TA is approved or not. If the TA request is not approved, ArmyIgnitED will advise the Soldier of the reason and next steps.
5. All drops/withdrawals must take place through ArmyIgnitED. Soldiers who do not successfully complete a class will be required to repay the TA. Soldiers who are unable to successfully complete a class due to military reasons must request a Withdrawal for Military Reasons.

FTA can be a huge help in driving down the cost of your education, but also be sure to ask your state education office for other benefits and programs they provide National Guard Soldiers—some include full in-state tuition.