Membership in the Missouri National Guard offers a wealth of educational benefits and incentives to it’s members. Alongside the specialized training and experience gained in the military, our programs support you in reaching your personal and professional career objectives.
 
 

The Education & Incentives Branch educates, advises, and counsels to provide for the well-being and development of our Service Members. Their significance influences everything we do.
 
 

We educate, advise, and counsel to ensure Service Members of the Missouri National Guard have a clear understanding of incentives and continuing education benefits available to them.
 

1. Provide educational services that enhance the readiness and leadership capabilities of the Missouri National Guard.

2. Enhance Service Members’ opportunities for advancement and leadership by providing academic services, educational assistance, testing, and educational counseling.
 
3. Ensure timely and accountable incentives payments to improve Service Member satisfaction and bolster recruiting and retention efforts within Missouri National Guard.

4. Establish relationships and interagency partnerships to enhance Service Members’ quality of life by providing education and self-development opportunities.  
 

As a member of the Missouri National Guard, you’ve earned your way to higher education, a bolder career and a brighter future. From ASVAB improvement, qualifications and approvals to tuition assistance, GI Bill and stipends, the path forward isn’t always clear. Thankfully, we are here to help you fund your future and take the hassle out of using your benefits so you don't have to do it alone. Whether you are just beginning your journey, approaching graduation or somewhere in between, Education Services will guide you toward your best future. Contact us to request an education consultation.
 
 

Joint Services Transcript (JST):
The JST is an academically accepted document approved by the American Council on Education (ACE) to validate a service member's military occupational experience and training along with the corresponding ACE college credit recommendations. Service Members can download their JST at: www.jst.doded.mil
 
 

Choose a Field of Study:
Choosing a field of study can be difficult, especially with so many different options. Below are a few free resources that can help you determine the best path for you:
https://careerpathdecide.usalearning.gov/career-planning/quick-match
https://dantes.kuder.com/landing-page
https://www.onetonline.org/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
https://milgears.osd.mil/
 
 

As difficult as it is to choose a field of study, choosing a school can be even harder. Below are a few resources to help  make an informed choice:
https://www.careerpathdecide.org/career-planning/build-your-target 
https://www.dodmou.com/TADECIDE
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
https://www.vets.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
https://app.collegerecon.com/
http://coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/
https://www.degreequickly.com/nationalguard.html
 
 

There are numerous education programs and services available to National Guard Service Members. The Education and Incentives team will assist you in researching the financial recourses available when you schedule an Education Consultation. Or click on the Tuition Assistance link for more information.

https://youtu.be/3P-gK2oPWQo
 

 
 

Education Programs & Services (01)
Education Support Programs (02)
College Planning and Assistance (03)
Joint Services Transcript (16)
Spouse Education Support (20)
ArmyIgnitED 101 Training

 

The Missouri Returning Heroes Act, Section 173.900, RSMo, provides reduced tuition for certain combat veterans attending public institutions of higher education. Go to returningheroesact (mo.gov) to determine eligibility and educational benefits.
 
 

FTA is financial assistance provided for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a Soldier’s professional and personal self-development goals.
1) FTA will pay up to $250 per semester hour and up to 16 semester hours per fiscal year (restarts 1 OCT each year).

2) FTA provides lifetime limit of 130 undergraduate semester hours, 39 graduate semester hours, and up to 21 additional semester hours for a certificate. 

3) To qualify you must be currently serving in the ARNG, not be flagged, and have a CAC.

4) An evaluated degree plan in ArmyIgnitED is required after 2 classes are completed. 

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

6) 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) if AGR.

7) Deadline to apply is 8 days prior to the start of classes. You can apply as early as 60 days prior to classes starting.

8) Use your CAC to login at ArmyIgnitED to apply for FTA.
 
 

The Missouri Educational Assistance Grant, Section 173.239 RSMo, provides tuition assistance for Service Members of the MONG meeting the eligibility requirements outlined in 11 CSR 10-3.015. 
1) Pays 50—100% of the amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident at the University of Missouri for attendance.

2) Pays up to 15 semester hours for Fall and Spring, and up to 9 semester hours for Summer. Lifetime of 150 semester hours.

3) Must use FTA before STA will be applied.

4) May only be utilized for first undergraduate degree (up to a Bachelor’s).

5) Submit applications NLT 1 day prior to the start date of the classes. Best if submitted NLT 10 days prior to allow ample time to resolve any issues. Applications can be submitted up to 60 days prior.
    a) Army STA email: ng.mo.moarng.mbx.per-inc-stateta@army.mil
    b) Air STA email: ng.mo.moang.mbx.ang-ta.mail@army.mil

6) Subject to appropriations made available by the State for the State Fiscal Year (restarts 1 July each year).

 

CA is an Army program. All ranks and components may participate if eligible.
1) Soldiers have a $4000 funding limit per fiscal year for FTA and CA combined.

2) Pays tuition, fees, books, and examination cost(s) for over 1600 professional licensures, certificates, and credentials.

3) Soldiers can pursue any credential found in Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL).

4) May work on multiple credentials simultaneously or sequentially.

5) Failure to submit grades (completion certificates) will create a hold on the Soldier’s account, preventing further requests from being submitted.

6) Use your CAC to login at ArmyIgnitED to apply for CA.
 
 

The MGIB-SR is a benefit administered by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) that provides basic educational assistance for traditional/M-day Soldiers actively serving in the Selected Reserve.
1) Must sign six-year enlistment contract or Officer Service Agreement (OSA), have a high school diploma or GED, and complete IADT or BOLC.

2) $466 per month for full-time enrollment paid directly to the Solider each month.

3) Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at  www.va.gov.
 
 

The Kicker is an incentive given upon enlistment/reenlistment that adds an additional education payment to attract Soldiers to specific units, skills, or positions to meet and sustain ARNG readiness requirements.
1) To qualify you must be eligible for either Chapter 1606 or Chapter 30 GI Bill.

2) Sign a six-year service obligation (Enlistment contract, extension, or Officer Service Agreement)

3) Depending on your category and date of contract, either $200 or $350 per month added to your basic GI Bill Payment.
 
 

An education program that applies to veterans who served on active duty or AGR, served two or three years, had pay reduced by $1,200, and received an honorable discharge.
1) $2,358 a month for three or more years of active duty.

2) $1,913/month for two-three years of consecutive active duty.
 
 

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an education program for Service Members who served at least 90 days in a period of qualifying active duty on or after 11 September 2001 and receive an honorable discharge.
1) All payment benefits are based on qualifying active duty served/tier percentage.

2) Pays up to 100% tuition and fees at public schools. 

3) Max payment of $27,120.05 per year for private or foreign school

4) Up to $1,000 per academic year for Book and Supply Stipend.

5) Monthly Housing Allowance up to BAH rate for E-5 with dependents.

6) Option to transfer benefits to dependents.
    a) Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) is an incentive for continued service offered to Service Members who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. All ARNG Soldiers considering TEB should initiate the TEB process as soon as they meet the requirements. The Soldier still has complete control over Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Soldiers can go in and move months back to themselves and still use the benefit. To qualify you must meet the following minimum requirements:

    b) Must have completed 6 years of service.

    c) 4 years remaining on contract and agree to a 4-year service obligation from the date of your transfer request.

    d) Spouses may use TEB immediately, but Service member must have completed 10 years of service before children can use TEB.

    e) Complete the online application at https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/.
 
 

Students receiving GI Bill benefits must verify their enrollment every month. If you do not verify your enrollment for two consecutive months, your payments will be placed on hold. You must call the Education Call Center (ECC) to release your payments.  You can call the Education Call Center at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
1) Call the ECC to opt into text verification, verify your enrollment, make changes to your enrollment and check the remaining months of your GI Bill benefits. 

2)  If you are unable to verify enrollment by text or don’t have a U.S. mobile phone number or opt out of verification via text, you will automatically be enrolled in email verification.

3) Post-9/11 GI Bill users going to a non-college degree (NCD) facility (apprenticeship, on-the-job, flight or correspondence training) can verify their enrollment on the internet using the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE).

4) All other GI Bill users are encouraged to verify enrollment via text message.
 
 

GI Bill Comparison Chart (13)
GI Bill CH 1606 (06)
GI Bill Kicker (07)
GI Bill CH 30 (08)
GI Bill CH 33 (09)
GI Bill TEB (10)
How to Apply for GI Bill Benefits (12)
How to Verify Enrollment for GI Bill (13)
GI Bill-Fry Scholarship (11)
GI Bill VETTEC (15)
 
 

In addition to the educational benefits of service, the Missouri National Guard offers a number of incentives for current and prospective members. 

Based on critical vacancies within the organization and the skills required to fill those positions, these incentives may include lump sum or structured payments to service members.  

We also offer loan repayment programs for qualifying educational student loans as well as health professional incentives for qualifying loans and expenses associated with medical school. 


 

Incentives are subject to the eligibility and funding policy established in National Guard Bureau's Selected Reserve Incentives Program (SRIP).  This program is published annually and may include periodic updates to amounts, payment schedules, and eligibility.  For the most up to date information on available incentives and qualification, please contact a member of our Recruiting and Retention staff if you are considering joining the organization or your unit Retention NCO if you are a currently serving member.
 

Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) is available to Soldiers and Officer Candidates (09S) who have one or more qualifying and disbursed Title IV federal loan(s).
1) 1) The loans must be listed on the Department of Education National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) aid summary website found at NSLDS: National Student Loan Data System (ed.gov).

2) Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) that are in the name of anyone other than the Soldier applying for the SLRP program are not eligible for repayment.

3) State and private loans are not eligible for repayment under the SLRP.

4) Loans cannot be in a default status.

5) Payments for SLRP/09S incentive contracts issued under this policy will not exceed $50,000 with annual repayments not to exceed the maximum amount established by law.

6) Anniversary SLRP payments will not exceed 15 percent or $1,000 (whichever is greater) of the initial disbursed amounts that were approved upon the date of enlistment, affiliation, re-enlistment or extension, to include accrued interest.

7) It is the responsibility of the Soldier to request their payment each year (on their anniversary date). The Soldier will submit updated (not more than 30 days old) NSLDS sheets to their unit Readiness NCO and complete necessary documents. 

8) Eligibility requirements are different depending on each applicant's status. Please contact a member of our Recruiting and Retention staff if you are considering joining the organization or your unit Retention NCO if you are a currently serving member.
 

 
 

SLRP Flyer
NSLDS SLRP Slides
 

 
 

Army Personnel Testing (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.  The following test are offered at ISTS, Fort Leonard Wood and/or Whiteman Air Force Base:

1) Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT): Soldiers who need to improve their original ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) score may be administered the AFCT via the online iCAT. The iCAT replaces the paper-based version of the Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT). Soldiers may not be given the AFCT earlier than six months after the date of their MEPS ASVAB exam. The AFCT must be administered in its entirety.  There is an AFCT Preparation Course. The Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) is designed to help Soldiers prepare for the AFCT. This course is self-paced and customized based on your answers on a pre-assessment. Lessons utilize interactive exercises such as drag-and-drop matching, video game-style multiple choice, and dynamic flash cards. Quizzes and practice problem sets also help students gauge their mastery of the material. Lessons include the following areas: reading comprehension, math, and vocabulary. The OASC is available to all ARNG Soldiers. (https://dantes.petersons.com/)

2) Section Instrument Flight Training (SIFT): The SIFT is a computer-based test battery that was developed using industry-standard scientific methods to predict the success of students in aviation training programs. The complete test battery is used as a primary selection instrument for the Army aviation program. Applicants for the aviation program must have attained appropriate qualifying score(s) on the SIFT prior to selection for the Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) program.
SIFT test prep: Helicopter Flying Handbook | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov)
 
3) Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT): The DLPT is a computer-based battery of foreign language tests produced by the Defense Language Institute (DLI) and used by the DoD to document foreign language proficiency of Service members. For DLPT test prep visit https://hs2.dliflc.edu/.

4) Testing is offered at ISTS, Jefferson City on the first Wednesday of every month. Complete the DA 4187 for the test you are requesting to take and submit to our office 7 days prior to the testing date.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) provides numerous programs and services to assist service members seeking to further their voluntary education goals and objectives. Visit the DANTES website for more information: DANTES Home.
 
 

 

Army Personnel Testing (14)
DA 4187 SLPT
DA 4187 SIFT
DA 4187 AFCT 
DANTES Programs and Services (15)
 
 

Federal Tuition Assistance, State Tuition Assistance, and GI Bill are one of the few State-level programs that can be called by the soldier at any level without following their chain of command. We encourage Soldiers, retirees, and spouses/dependents at any level to call us if they have questions or concerns about their incentives and education benefits. We do ask that if you have a Bonus or Student Loan Repayment question that you first contact your unit to see what action has been taken at that level prior to calling the state representative direct.
 
 

1. Send inquiries about LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM, BONUSES and GI BILL to: ng.mo.moarng.mbx.per-incentives@army.mil      

2. Send STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS and QUESTIONS to: ng.mo.moarng.mbx.per-inc-stateta@army.mil   
 
 

Send STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE applications and questions to: ng.mo.moang.mbx.ang-ta-mail@army.mil
 
 

https://www.facebook.com/MOARNGEducationandIncentives
https://www.moguard.ngb.mil/Programs/Education-and-Incentives/
www.facebook.com/arngeducation 
https://www.instagram.com/moangeducation?igsh=MWlmNWRtcDdsNXZoOQ== 
https://www.instagram.com/moarngeducenter?igsh=MXM5MG5ncnU1YjcxdQ== 
https://www.instagram.com/arngeducation?igsh=MWJ1cjVjdTR1NTR5bQ== 
Give us a follow and a like!
 
 

Education Services Officer (ESO):
CW4 Woods, 573-638-9500 extension 37053, alan.j.woods2.mil@army.mil

Education and Incentives (E&I) NCOIC:
SFC Kraft, 573-638-9500 extension 37051, mcconnell.dkraft.mil@army.mil

Incentives (Bonus):
SSG Malloy, 573-638-9500 extension 37690, autumn.l.malloy.mil@army.mil

Incentives (Bonus):
SSG White, 573-638-9500 extension 37052, jeremy.s.white20.mil@army.mil

Incentives (SLRP):
SPC Kempker, 573-638-9500 extension 37689, harlee.n.kempker.mil@army.mil

GI Bill:
SPC Hildreth, 573-638-9500 extension 37139, travis.s.hildreth.mil@army.mil

Federal Tuition Assistance:
Dr. Jefferson, 573-638-9500 extension 39637, theresa.m.jefferson.civ@army.mil

State Tuition Assistance:
Ms. Lister, 573-638-9500 extension 37971, jaime.r.lister.civ@army.mil

State Tuition Assistance:
Ms. Mehrhoff, 573-638-9500 extension 37023, brenella.mehrhoff2.nfg@army.mil