-
State
Minnesota State Tuition Reimbursement (STR)
Eligibility:
- You must be a member of the Minnesota National Guard.
- You are eligible for STR for classes that you attend at an accredited college after completion of basic training.
- State policy requires Minnesota National Guard Soldiers - officers and enlisted - to apply for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) in GoArmyEd.com before they are eligible to apply for State Tuition Reimbursement (STR).
- You must remain in the Minnesota National Guard during the entire term of courses.
- E1 to O5, including Warrant Officers are eligible for State Tuition Reimbursement. The lifetime maximum State Tuition Reimbursement benefit is 208 quarter or 144 Semester credits.
- Eligibility is extended for a period of two years, plus the amount of time equal to the duration of that person's active service. State Tuition Reimbursement has been extended to service members who have satisfactorily completed their service contract in the Minnesota National Guard who served honorably in federal active service or federally funded state active service since September 11, 2001.
- State Tuition Reimbursement has been extended to service members who have been separated or discharged from that organization due to a service-connected injury, disease, or disability.
- Eligibility period is extended for eight years beyond the date of separation.
Rate:
The Undergraduate reimbursement rate is up to 100% of the undergraduate rate of the University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities Campus with a maximum yearly benefit of $18,000 per fiscal year (01 JUL through 30 JUN).
The Graduate reimbursement rate is up to 75% of the graduate rate of the University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities Campus with a maximum yearly benefit of $28,000 per fiscal year (01 JUL through 30 JUN).
(https://onestop.umn.edu/finances/tuition)
Reimbursement Application Procedures
To apply for State Tuition Reimbursement you MUST contact your unit full-time representative to ensure you have a current, completed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on file as well as state Direct Deposit and W9 Tax forms. Forms must correspond with the school year being applied for. [All current and legacy forms forms are available at the unit.]
FY23-FY24 Forms
STR Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (pdf)
STR Payment Request Form (pdf)
Extended STR Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (pdf)
Extended STR Payment Request Form (pdf)
Survivor STR Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (pdf)
Survivor STR Payment Request Form (pdf)
Direct deposit and IRS Form W9 (pdf)
Medical Professional STR Obligation form (pdf)
How do I get reimbursed?
Service members must complete the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and turn in to their unit prior to submitting their payment request form, grades and tuition/fees statement. This is a one-time form unless there are policy changes requiring the form to be updated.
Service members must submit the following forms and supporting documents to the unit NO LATER THAN 90 Days from the last official day of the course/term:
- STR Payment Request form
- Grade Report
- Final Fee Statement which clearly shows the amount of tuition charged, dated after course completion and provided by the institution.
- Final Fee Statement must show amount of other Federal Benefits which pay tuition costs directly to the institution (i.e. CH 33/Post 9-11 GI Bill; Federal Tuition Assistance; ROTC Scholarship).
Minnesota GI Bill
The Minnesota GI Bill program provides assistance to eligible Minnesota Veterans, currently serving military, National Guard and Reserve members who served after September 11, 2001 and eligible spouse and children. The Program provides a maximum benefit of $10,000, up to age 62. Eligible participants can use the benefit in Higher Education, On-the-job training (OJT)/Apprenticeship or License and Certification.
This program is different than the Federal GI Bill (Montgomery, Post 9-11, Veterans Education Assistance Program, Dependents Education Assistance Program, or Vocational rehabilitation).
Please go to www.mymilitaryeducation.org and select MN GI Bill, listed under Hot Topics for eligibility requirements, required application forms and associated links for each area under the MN GI Bill.
-
Federal
Federal Education Benefits
Tuition Assistance Policy changes effective 5AUG18 for all Army Soldiers:
On August 5, 2018, the Army's Tuition Assistance (TA) policy changed to allow Soldiers to use TA after successful completion of AIT or BOLC.
On February 12, 2021, the Army's TA application website will transition from GoArmyEd to Army IgnitED. Soldiers must create an account in www.armyignited.com and may begin using the new site on March 8, 2021.
Eligibility will be for up to 16 semester hour credits per military fiscal year.
Soldiers will receive up to $250 per semester hour for up to 130 semester hours for completion of an associates or bachelor's degree and up to 39 semester hours for a master's degree.
As stated in previous policy, Soldiers cannot use TA for a second equivalent degree, i.e., no second bachelor's or master's degree. All courses must be part of an approved degree plan. TA cannot be used for first- professional degrees (PhD, MD or JD). In addition to DA adverse action flags, we will continue our policy to not allow TA for Soldiers who are flagged for APFT/AWCP.
NOTES:
- SOLDIERS USING TA SHOULD CONFIRM THEY HAVE THE MOST UP TO DATE E-MAIL ADDRESS IN THEIR ARMYIGNITED ACCOUNT.
This may be a personal email address the Soldier frequently uses.
- E-MAILS GENERATED BY THE ARMYIGNITED.COM SYSTEM CANNOT BE REPLIED TO.
- FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH TA SOLDIERS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR LOCAL HIGHER EDUCATION VETERANS PROGRAM (HEVP) REP, THE ARMYIGNITED HELPDESK PHONE NUMBER, OR THE J1 EDUCATION OFFICE AT 651-282-4589 OR NG.MN.MNARNG.MBX.ASSETS-EDUCATION@MAIL.MIL
Monitor your e-mails for more information from ArmyIgnitED.com.
The FTA will fund up to 100% of tuition ONLY at a maximum amount of $4,000 per Fiscal Year and up to $250 per Semester Hour (SH) for degrees including Secondary School Diploma or it equivalency; Certificates (undergraduate, graduate, vocational or technical); Associates or Baccalaureate (undergraduate); Master's (graduate).
Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
The Montgomery GI Bill is a program of educational benefits available to members of the Minnesota National Guard. For eligibility and application information, go to www.GIBill.va.gov
-
Links & Resources
Education websites
American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
American Council on Education (ACE)
Army Distributed Learning System (DLS)
Army eLearning
Army Education
Army Knowledge Online (AKO)
Army School System
Army Study Guide
Army Training Requirements and Resources System (ATRRS)
Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL)
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
Financial Aid Information
General Dennis J. Reimer Training and Doctrine Digital Library
GI Bill VA Site
HEVP Map and Contacts - This lists the Higher Education Veterans Program representatives who are regional coordinators at MN colleges and universities.
Joint Service Transcripts (JST)
Lavern E. Weber Professional Education Center
Library Education Resource Center
Military OneSource
Military Publications
Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Guard
Secondary and Post-Secondary Education Resources
ACT Assessment Test (ACT)
Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
Army American Council on Education Registry Transcripts Service (AARTS)
Army Continuing Education Service (ACES)
Certification Programs
College Level Entrance Program (CLEP)
Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
Excelsior College Examinations
Free SAT and ACT PowerPrep™ software (Enter Code: FBEC92774) or call 951-256-4076
General Education Development (GED)
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Graduate Record Exams (GRE)
Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
Praxis Series Test
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
Spousal Education
Spouse Tuition Reimbursement Benefit
The State of Minnesota has authorized spouses to use the remaining balance of a Service member's State Tuition Reimbursement, not to exceed 12 semester credits per year. Service members must meet the following criteria for their spouse to be able to use a portion of the remaining balance of their State Tuition Reimbursement Grant.
- Are serving satisfactorily as defined by the Adjutant General in paragraph 1-7; and
- Have served at least 8 years of [active-drilling, non-ING] service in the Minnesota National Guard.
- Are between the ranks of E-1 thru O-5 (to include Warrant Officers). Spouses of Officers promoted to the grade of O-6 (Colonel) during the school term are eligible to use the State Tuition Reimbursement Program until the end of that term.
- Annual Cap - Spouses may use up to 12 semester/17 quarter credits annually, not to exceed the sponsoring Service member's lifetime benefit of 144 semester/208 quarter credits.
- Spouse tuition reimbursement is counted towards the Service members maximum yearly undergraduate benefit of $18,000 per year or Graduate benefit of $28,000 per year. Payment Procedures will remain the same as for the Service member, and all payments will be direct deposited into the sponsoring Service member's bank account.
State Circular Annex A-1, Annual Obligation Form (pdf)
State Circular Annex A-2, Payment Request Form (pdf)
Other links for Spouses and Families
Dependent Scholarships -
Guide to Financial Aid -
Troops to Teachers
US Dept of Education
Testing Websites
There are testing opportunities offered at National Test Centers (usually colleges) and the Education Service Office. Tests range from certification exams and college-credit-by-examination programs to language aptitude and military classification tests. Military personnel, spouses and eligible civilian employees are eligible to test.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
CLEP Sample Tests
CLEP Test Centers
DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST)
DSST Fact Sheets
Assessment Test (ACT)
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
PRAXIS
APT testing
GED
ASVAB
ASVAB and AFAST (SIFT) tests are available through our office. For more information or a point of contact to take an exam, contact our office at: 651-282-4589, or email us at: ng.mn.mnarng.mbx.assets-education@mail.mil
