Federal Tuition Assistance Program

Iowa Army National Guard Education Services Office

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Table of Contents

Chapter Page

Chapter 1-Introduction 9

Chapter 2-Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Program

2.0 – Overview 10

2.1 – Who Can Use Federal Tuition Assistance 10

2.2 – What Am I Eligible For? 11

2.3 – FTA Eligibility Requirements 11

2.4 – Setting Up Your Go Army Ed Account 12

Chapter 3 – Federal Tuition Assistance Requirements

3.0 – Overview 13

3.1 – ADSO/RDSO Requirement 14

3.2 – FTA Recoupment 14

3.3 – Duplication of Education Benefits 15

3.4 – FTA Use With The GI Bill 15

3.5 – FTA Use With The National Guard Education Assistance Program (NGEAP)

16

Chapter 4 – Getting the Most Bang For Your Bucks

4.0 – Using FTA, NGEAP, & the G.I. Bill 17

Chapter 5 – Required Documentation for FTA Approval

5.0 – Overview 18

5.1 – Required Documentation for FTA Approval 18

5.2 – Class Schedule 18

5.3 – Cost Verification Document 19

5.4 – Degree Plan 20

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Chapter Page

Chapter 6 – Request Federal TA and Enroll In A Class 21

Chapter 7 – What Happens After I Submit My FTA Application

7.0 – Overview 24

7.1 – Why Having An Email Account You Check Daily Is Important 24

7.2 – If Your Application Is Approved 25

7.3 – Printing Your TA Authorization Form 25

7.4 – When Is The Army Going To Pay My School? 26

7.5 – How Will My Grade Get Posted In GAE? 26

Chapter 8 – Withdrawal For Military Reasons

8.0 – Overview 27

Chapter 9 – Dropping Federal Tuition Assistance Requests

9.0 – Overview

27

9.1 – Avoiding Recoupment Due To Dropping A Class After The Start Date

28

Chapter 10 – Withdrawal For Military Reasons

10.0 – Overview

29

10.1 – Valid Reasons For Requesting A Withdrawal For Military Reasons 29

10.2 – Invalid Reasons For Requesting A Withdrawal For Military Reasons

29

10.3 – Who To Contact Regarding A Withdrawal For Military Reasons 29

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Chapter Page

Chapter 11 – Course Planner Requirements

11.0 – Overview 30

11.1 – Creating the Course Planner 30

11.2 – How to Use the Course Planner: Step-By-Step Instructions 30

11.3 – Getting Started Creating The Course Planner 30

11.4 – Semester Hours Needed to Graduate 31

11.5 – Unit Type 31

11.6 – Course Planner Courses 31

11.7 – Home School 31

11.8 – Adding Electives To The Course Planner Not Listed In The Degree Plan

32

11.9 – Requesting TA For A Course You Are Enrolled In Other Than Your Home School

33

Chapter 12 – Working With Rejected FTA Request

12.0 – Overview 34

12.1 – Missing Cost Verification & Class Schedule Documents 34

12.2 – Missing Course Schedule 34

12.3 – Missing Itemized Bill 34

12.4 – Class Schedule Document Does Not Meet FTA Policy Requirements

35

12.5 – Cost Verification Document Does Not Meet FTA Policy Requirements

35

12.6 – Degree Plan/Student Agreement Does Not Meet FTA Policy Requirements

35

12.7 – Rejected in Course Planner 36

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Chapter Page

Chapter 13 – Working With ACES Holds

13.0 – Overview 36

13.1 – ACES Degree Plan/ Student Agreement Hold 36

13.2 – ACES Flag Hold 37

13.3 – ACES GPA Hold 37

13.4 – ACES Incomplete Grade Hold 37

Chapter 14 – General Questions & Answers Army Federal

Tuition Assistance & GoArmyEd

14.1 – Soldier completed ALC while enlisted and then became an officer (warrant or commissioned); does this Soldier now need to complete the corresponding officer MEL 2 requirement?

38

14.2 – Army Directive 2018-09 does not make mention of a TA ADSO or RDSO for commissioned officers who use TA. Does this policy still apply?

38

14.3 – A Soldier states that he completed AIT, but GoArmyEd indicates he has not. Why is that and what should the Education Counselor do?

38

14.4 – Some Soldiers, particularly in the Reserve Component, are unable to attend advanced military education training due to the lack of training seat availability. Will these Soldiers be able to obtain a waiver or ETP so they can use TA?

38

14.5 – Some military training courses did not exist or had different titles at the time a Soldier completed the course. How will this affect these Soldiers’ TA eligibility?

38

14.6 – Due to MOS end-strength caps Soldiers in some MOSs do not have the same opportunity for promotion as others and therefore may be disadvantaged because they may not be able to meet Tier 2 MEL standards. This is especially a concern among the Reserve Components. How will this new policy address this?

38

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Chapter Page

14.7 – Will Soldiers currently using TA be “grandfathered” under current TA policy?

39

14.8 – What impact does the Army anticipate this change may have on the number of Soldiers who use TA?

39

14.9 – Some Soldiers, particularly in the Reserve Component, are unable to attend advanced military education training due to the lack of training seat availability. Will these Soldiers be able to obtain a waiver or ETP so they can use TA?

39

14.10 - Some military training courses did not exist or had different titles at the time a Soldier completed the course. How will this affect these Soldiers’ TA eligibility?

39

14.11 - Due to MOS end-strength caps Soldiers in some MOSs do not have the same opportunity for promotion as others and therefore may be disadvantaged because they may not be able to meet Tier 2 MEL standards. This is especially a concern among the Reserve Components. How will this new policy address this?

39

14.12 - Some MOSs, such as 79R (Army Recruiter), JAG, and Army Band do not have an advanced course (e.g., ALC, CCC). How will this affect the Soldier’s TA eligibility?

39

14.13 - Can a Soldier who holds a doctor’s level degree use TA to pursue an academic certificate?

40

14.14 - Currently, TA requests that Soldiers submit less than five days prior to the class start date and do not get approved before the class start date are ineligible for TA, regardless of the reason the TA request was not approved. Does this rule still apply?

40

14.15 - If a Soldier completed AIT while enlisted, and then the Soldier becomes a warrant officer or commissioned officer, does that Soldier now have to complete BOLC or WOBC to meet Tier 1 or Tier 2 eligibility?

40

14.16 - How long will it take for the automatic data feed to update a Soldier’s MEL status in GoArmyEd? The civilian education level code can take between 1 week to 4 weeks or longer depending on the component’s personnel system. Can ACES Counselors defer this hold with proof of course completion while waiting for the military systems to update GoArmyEd?

40

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Chapter Page

14.17 - Will the new policy allow officers who are required to meet Tier 2 MEL standards and are attending their Captains Career Course (CCC) to use TA to enroll in a master’s degree program?

40

14.18 - What is the eligibility status for 09R / 09S? 41

14.19 - If a Soldier is under the 16 SH limit but the next enrollment would take the total above 16 SHs, will TA pay for the SHs that do not go over the 16 SH limit?

41

14.20 - Does 16 semester hours of TA – funded classes start at the beginning of the calendar year or at the beginning of the academic year.

41

14.21 - Will classes dropped for personal reasons count towards the 16 semester hour limit?

41

14.22 - Will classes dropped for military reasons count towards the 16 semester hour limit?

41

14.23 - How does the FY18 TA policy impact the special programs such as courses for establishing initial teacher certification, prerequisite courses for the AMEDD Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP) and the Inter-service Physician's Assistant Program (IPAP), DOD Strategic Languages courses and courses for a Specialized Chaplain Certificate?

41

14.24 - I have an active Go Army Ed account, what next? 41

14.25 - I have identified the class on my degree plan, how do I enroll using tuition assistance?

42

14.26 - I have selected my college and degree plan but the hourly tuition assistance rate has exceeded the semester hour cap, is there any additional financial assistance available?

43

14.27 - I went to enroll in my class, completed all of the steps and received a Warning indicating that I am required to pay for the class, what now?

43

14.28 - I started a class and decided I am unable to complete it successfully, can I drop the class?

43

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Chapter Page

Appendix A – Important Contact Information

44

Appendix B – Acronyms & Definitions

46

Appendix C – Links

48

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Welcome to GoArmyEd (GAE). I have activated your GAE account. Thanks for completing VIA on GoArmyEd (GAE). Your home school/degree plan has been updated. I am your Iowa Army National Guard Education Counselor. GoArmyEd is the system

Chapter 1 – Introduction

Soldiers use GoArmyEd to obtain Federal Tuition Assistance. Whether you are enrolled in classes at an Iowa’s regents’ universities, or at an Iowa community college, IAARNG Soldiers use GoArmyEd to obtain federal tuition assistance funding. If your school is a GoArmyEd school you will use the GoArmyEd (GAE) system to submit your tuition assistance requests for federal tuition assistance (FTA).

This is an unofficial document designed with the intent bringing all of the information regarding the Federal Tuition Assistance program and the GoArmyEd system into a comprehensive, easy to use document, and the IAARNG GoArmyEd Soldier Support web page. This page is specifically dedicated to providing IAARNG Soldiers with information that is task specific regarding the GAE system and FTA program. The IAARNG GoArmyEd Soldier Support site has a large number of Reference Documents that are specific to the tasks you must complete in your GAE account in order to obtain approval for your FTA requests. You can access the site @https://www.iowanationalguard.com/Family%20and%20Services/Education/Pages/GoArmyEd u.aspx.

You may also contact me or submit a Help Desk case if you need assistance with your GAE account.

Michael Robinson Federal Tuition Assistance Manager Iowa IANG-Education Services Office (515) 252-4422 michael.p.robinson1.civ@mail.mil

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Chapter 2 – Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) Program

2.0 – Overview

GoArmyEd.com (GAE) is a virtual system for Soldiers to request Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) online, anytime, for both classroom and distance learning college courses. It is an online portal which automates the majority of the enrollment and application process. GAE allows access to many regionally accredited colleges and universities, and over 1,000 available degree plans. GAE is used by Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve Soldiers to request FTA. Soldiers may use FTA to receive one degree/credential from each of the following levels:

Undergraduate/Graduate Academic Certificate Associate’s degree Baccalaureate degree Master's Degree

FTA cannot be used for courses or programs leading to a lower or lateral post-secondary credential that is validated in the Soldier’s official military personnel record except in the case for certificates. FTA cannot pay for first professional degrees (i.e., doctoral degrees, juris doctorates)

2.1 – Who Can Use Federal Tuition Assistance

Federal Tuition Assistance can be used by any of the following Soldiers as long as the Soldier meets the criteria as established by the U.S. Army.

Active Duty Soldiers Army National Guard Soldiers Army Reserve Soldiers Army National Guard MIL TECHS ARMY National Guard Soldiers on Active Guard Reserve Status

Army ROTC Cadets if the cadet is in the simultaneous membership program and are not under contract for commissioning. Scholarship recipients are not eligible to use federal tuition assistance funding.

Part-time or full-time students.

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2.2 – What Am I Eligible For?

Funding for required courses listed on an approved personalized degree plan.

Cost of tuition (no fees) up to $250 per semester hour.

Maximum of $4,000 each fiscal year

Up to 16 credit hours per fiscal year

Up to 130 credit hours of undergraduate coursework.

Up to 39 credit hours of graduate coursework.

2.3 – FTA Eligibility Requirements

• Tier 1 Soldiers (First Time TA Users)

o Soldiers who have not attained a bachelor’s degree (regardless of prior TA

usage) and wish to pursue a certificate / diploma, associate, or bachelor’s degree, or;

o Soldiers who have attained a bachelor’s degree using TA and wish to pursue a

certificate / diploma, or; o Soldiers who have previously attained a bachelor’s degree or higher without the

use of TA and wish to pursue a certificate / diploma or master’s degree, if eligible.

• Tier 1 Eligibility Requirements

o Enlisted Soldiers: Who Have Graduated Advanced Individual Training.

o Warrant Officers: Graduated Basic Warrant Officer Basic Course.

o Officers: Graduated Basic Officer Leaders Course.

• Tier 2 Soldiers

o Soldiers who previously used TA for any portion of their undergraduate degree, have attained a bachelor’s degree, and wish to pursue a master’s degree.

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• Tier 2 Eligibility Requirements (Previous Undergrad TA Users – Master’s Degree)

o Enlisted Soldiers: Graduated Advanced Leaders Course (or equivalent)

o Warrant Officers: Graduated Warrant Officer Advanced Course.

o Commissioned Officers: Graduated Captains Career Course.

2.4 – Setting up your GoArmyEd.com Account

• Visit www.goarmyed.com

• Select “Create/Activate Account”

• Complete the required information to create a base-role GoArmyEd (GAE) account which establishes your GoArmyEd username and password.

• The IAARNG Education Services Specialist will frequently communicate with you

through email; therefore, we recommend using a personal email account for GoArmyEd communication.

• To request TA-eligible access and register for college classes, please complete the

following additional steps:

1. Log in to www.goarmyed.com using your username and password or your Common Access Card (CAC).

2. Select the “Request TA Access” smart link; GAE will run an automatic FTA

eligibility check.

3. View the “Welcome to VIA” video.

4. Select a career goal, degree program, and home school using the VIA decision tool (self-guided).

5. Submit your request for approval. The Education Services Specialist will

email you when your request has been processed and approved.

6. GoArmyEd will prompt you to complete the GoArmyEd Common Application and to sign and submit your FTA Statement of Understanding (SOU) when you “Request TA” to sign up for classes.

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***** Please read the FTA Statement of Understanding before digitally signing your acknowledgement. *****

GAE will place a hold on your account if you are ineligible for FTA. A hold is applied to enforce Army FTA policies and regulation. Holds are removed automatically when the issue is resolved. For more information on your hold and steps to resolve the hold, click the My Education section of your GoArmyEd homepage (select the education tab and scroll down for a summary of your hold and steps required to resolve your hold).

Chapter 3 – Federal Tuition Assistance Requirements

3.0 – Overview

The FTA program has six primary requirements Soldiers should be aware of in order to successfully obtain federal tuition assistance funds. Knowing the primary requirements of the FTA program will help you immensely in your efforts to obtain FTA funding.

• Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) requests must be approved before the start date of

the class. Applications may be submitted 60 days before the start of class.

• To allow time for processing, review, and approval, Soldiers should submit FTA requests in GAE no later than five business days prior to the class start date for which FTA is being requested.

• The five day window is necessary to provide a buffer to accommodate the potential

for unanticipated delays, including (but not limited to) GAE account holds, inclement weather, or system downtime.

• Soldiers will be solely responsible for all tuition costs for FTA request submitted less

than five business days prior to the class start date for which FTA was not approved.

• Successful course completion at the undergraduate level is a grade of "C" or higher for undergraduate courses, a "B" or higher for graduate courses, and a "Pass" for "Pass/Fail" grades.

• If you earn a grade of “D” or below for undergraduate courses or a “C” or below for

graduate courses you will be required to reimburse the Army for the amount paid for your tuition.

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• No fees of any kind will be paid using FTA. Only the actual cost of tuition, not to exceed $250 per-semester hour, will be funded.

• FTA can only be approved for courses specifically listed on your degree plan -to include electives. If a course is not listed on your degree plan, contact your academic advisor to request a memo from your advisor stating the course is required for degree completion.

3.1 – ADSO/RDSO Requirement

• All officers and commissioned warrant officers receiving TA for college degree programs incur a two-year ADSO commencing on the ending date of the last class for which TA was received.

• Selected Reserve officers and commissioned warrant officers incur a reserve duty

serve obligation (RDSO) and must have at least four years of Selected Reserve service remaining from the date of completion of the course for which TA was provided.

• Officers and commissioned warrant officers who are in AGR status and receive TA incur a two year ADSO.

3.2 – FTA Recoupment

Course costs will be recouped from a Soldier’s military pay account for:

Receiving a course grade lower grade than C for undergraduates or a course grade lower than B for graduate students.

Failing to resolve an incomplete (“I”) grade within 120 days.

Dropping courses for personal reasons on or after the course start date.

Transferring to Inactive National Guard (ING) or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) prior to the course end date.

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3.3 – Duplication of Education Benefits

Soldiers may not receive a duplication of federal funds in contradiction to U.S. Laws, Army Regulations, and NGB guidance. SMs may use FTA in addition to other funding sources (i.e. ARNG State-funded programs, loan programs, scholarships etc.) to fund their educational expenses based on the following limitations:

The Iowa National Guard Education Assistance Program (NGEAP) may be used

concurrently with FTA. There is no reduction in either FTA or NGEAP funds.

The ARNG’s Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), Health Professional Loan Repayment Pro- gram (HPLRP), and Chaplain Loan Repayment Program (CLRP) are education incentives and have no impact on receiving funds from the FTA program.

In the case where an applicant is eligible for both FTA and a Pell Grant, it is

recommended that FTA be applied first to allow maximum use of Pell Grant funds.

Applicants receiving an ROTC scholarship under USC 2107 or USC 2107a are not entitled to FTA.

3.4 – FTA Use With The GI Bill

If a student receives education benefits from DVA and receives FTA benefits from the military, duplication of benefits may be an issue. The issue might involve DVA regulations, DoD regulations, military branch specific regulations, or all three since DVA, DoD, and the military branches all have regulations and guide- lines regarding receiving DVA benefits and FTA at the same time. Potential duplication issues are outlined below.

MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606). Effective in FY15, FTA may not be used concurrently

with MGIB (SR) (Chapter 1606) for the same course or courses. Soldiers may use FTA and Chapter 1606/1607 benefits during the same semester, but may not use those benefits for the same courses.

Chapter 33 Recipients. Active duty, National Guard, and Reserve Service Members may receive Chapter 33 benefits for the same courses for which they receive FTA from the military. Depending on their mobilization time, National Guard and Reserve Service Members may have varying percentages of Chapter 33 benefits ranging from 40 to 100%. Schools must deduct FTA benefits from the net tuition and fees submitted to DVA, and Chapter 33 is used to pay toward the remaining out-of- pocket costs.

Chapter 30 Recipients. Active duty Service Members and National Guard and

Reserve AGRs may not receive standard Chapter 30 benefits for the same courses for which they receive FTA from the military (with the exception of Top-Up). If a student takes several courses, the student cannot receive Chapter 30 benefits for the courses for which FTA is paid. The student may, however, receive Chapter 30 benefits up to the cost of the tuition for courses for which FTA has not paid.

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Former Active duty Service Members, who earned Chapter 30 benefits while on Active duty and are currently M-day members of the National Guard or Reserve, may receive standard Chapter 30 benefits for the same courses for which they receive FTA from the military National Guard and Reserve.

Chapter 30 and “Top-up” Service Members who are serving on Active Duty or AGR

and are eligible for Chapters 30 and approved for FTA are eligible for Top-up. Top-up allows DVA to pay the difference between what FTA pays and the cost of the course. The law prohibits Active duty or AGR students from receiving regular Chapter 30 benefits and FTA for the same course.

3.5 – FTA Use With The National Guard Education Assistance Program (NGEAP)

NGEAP & Federal Tuition Assistance can be used together. NGEAP is a state of Iowa non-tuition specific grant. The Federal Tuition Assistance program is a federal program that is a tuition specific program.

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Chapter 4 – Getting Biggest Bang For Your Bucks

4.0 – Overview

Many IAARNG Soldiers enrolled in courses have not deployed and are only eligible for Chapter 1606 of the GI Bill. As stated previously Chapter 1606 cannot be used for courses that you are funding with FTA. However all IAARNG Soldiers other than Dual-Role Technicians and AGR Soldiers are eligible for the state of Iowa National Guard Education Assistance Program (NGEAP). NGEAP can be used with FTA at the same time. This is due to the fact that NGEAP is an education assistance program that can be used to pay for other costs IAARNG Soldiers incur while attending college. Figure 1 below shows how to advantage your educational benefits. Chapter 1606 of the GI Bill and NGEAP can also be used together concurrently.

To take full advantage of Chapter 1606, FTA, and NGEAP requires planning on your part. You are strongly encouraged to apply for and “burn up” your annual FTA funds first. This helps conserve your Chapter 1606 benefits. Unlike the FTA and NGEAP programs, the GI Bill can be used to help pay for advanced degrees, apprenticeships, and even a second associate’s degree.

Figure 1

Fall Semester Spring Semester GI Bill Ch. 1606

& NGEAP FTA & NGEAP

GI Bill Chapter 1606

Summer Session

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Chapter 5 – Required Documentation For TA Approval

5.0 – Overview

There are three documents that are required in order for you to successfully submit TA requests and have the TA requests approved. All three documents along with all supporting documentation must be uploaded to the Efile of the Soldiers GAE account in a PDF format.

5.1 – Required Documentation For FTA Approval

Class Schedule

Cost Verification Document

Degree Plan (not required until you have completed six credit hours of course work using federal tuition assistance funding)

The class schedule and cost verification documents are mandatory documents that you must provide each semester you are requesting federal tuition assistance.

5.2 – Class Schedule

The class schedule is a document that lists all of the courses you are enrolled in for a semester, quarter, or term. You must submit by uploading to the Efile in your GAE account a new class schedule each semester you are submitting requests for FTA. If you are in enrolled in a school that has accelerated courses that are for example eight weeks long, you may submit a class schedule that shows the courses over two terms.

The following information must be listed in the mandatory class schedule:

School name

Soldier’s first and last name

Class name

Class education code

Catalog/class number

Number of credit/semester hours associated with the class

Start & end dates for the courses

Meeting times of the courses

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The courses listed in the class schedule you are submitting MUST be listed as a graduation requirement on your degree plan. (Example: HIST 101, American History I, 3 SHs).

The following are acceptable documents can be used to meet the Class Schedule Document requirement.

Class schedule obtained from your school’s student information system

Class schedule obtained from the registrar’s office

Class schedule obtained from the VA Certifying official

5.3 – Cost Verification Document

The cost verification document is a mandatory document you must provide each semester you are requesting FTA. You need to provide an official itemized bill that is yours and attach it to each application. The itemized bill must have the school's name and your name on each document and be in a PDF format that cannot be manipulated. The itemized bill must specifically show the cost of your tuition for the classes you're enrolled for the upcoming semester.

The following information must be listed in the mandatory cost verification document:

School’s name

Soldier’s first and last name

Semester or school term

Tuition cost separated from fees

Fees that are separated from the tuition

The following are acceptable documents can be used to meet the Cost Verification Document requirement.

Tuition statement obtained from your school’s student information system

Cost verification document obtained from the school billing office

Cost verification document obtained from the VA Certifying official

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5.4 – Degree Plan

In order to receive federal tuition assistance, you must have an approved student agree/degree plan. This is a document you receive from your academic advisor, or a student information system at your school that is a list of all of the required classes you are required to complete in order to graduate, even if it is an associate’s degree in general studies. Some schools call the document a SOCAD, degree plan, DARS, student agreement and if you are an ROTC cadet it is your CC FORM 104R. If you are unsure of what your school calls the degree plan if you use the term degree audit when requesting a degree plan, registrars will automatically know what you are asking for. Many electronic student information systems have the degree plan listed as a degree audit. Once you get the document, scan it to your computer and save it as a PDF or non-manipulative file to your desk top. Then upload the document to the Efile in your GoArmyEd.

The degree plan/student agreement MUST contain the following information:

• Your name

• School name

• Degree name or names (double majors)

• Academic advisor’s name

• List of ALL the courses you must complete in order to graduate including electives.

Some degree plans do not list specific electives. If this is something your degree plan does not list then contact me for specific information regarding the solution to such situations.

First time users of the Federal Tuition Assistance program are not required to upload a degree plan until completing six credit hours of coursework. Soldiers that transfer to a new home school are required to upload a degree plan to the Efile in their GAE account and have the degree plan approved. In order to have the degree plan approved Soldiers must submit a HELPDESK Case requesting the Degree Plan be approved. Failure to have the degree plan approved will result in an ACES DEGREE PLAN HOLD being placed on your GAE account.

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Chapter 6 – Request Federal TA & Enroll In A Class

Depending on the GoArmyEd (GAE) school classification (LOI or Non-LOI) and the degree you pursue, GAE will present you with one of several enrollment paths. The Army will pay all approved FTA amounts directly to your school. If you are required to complete the GAE Course Planner, the course planner must be approved prior to requesting FTA.

You

School

Army Education Counselor

• Decide and apply to the school of your choice • Decide on your college major (also known as degree name • Activate your GoArmyEd (GAE) account • Complete the GAE VIA Decision Tool; select GAE home

school/degree plan • Enroll in classes with your school • Request FTA in GAE

• Provides your college admission application status • Provides your Student Agreement/Degree Plan (Academic

Advisor) • Provides your detailed class schedule • Provides your itemized invoice/bill • If you are requesting TA assistance & you are enrolled at a Non-

LOI School, you must upload the class schedule, the itemized invoice/bill, and your degree plan.

• If GoArmyEd LOI School: School approves FTA Request • If GoArmyEd Non-LOI School: Army Education Specialist

approves FTARequest

• Processes your GoArmyEd account activation request • Answers GoArmyEd Helpdesk Cases/TA Request • Provides GoArmyEd policy clarification • Provides GoArmyEd training and assistance

Tip: When you submit your GoArmyEd Tuition Assistance Request, GoArmyEd will automatically route your request to the school (LOI School) or the Army Education Services Specialist (Non-LOI School). You will receive an email when the application is processed

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Requesting FTA For Non-LOI Schools Process 1st Time User

The vast majority of colleges and universities through-out the United States are Non-LOI Schools. Non-LOI Schools are not required to have their classes, degree plans, cost verification documents, class schedules loaded in GAE. In Iowa all three public universities, private non-profit, and public community colleges are Non- LOI schools. The following flow chart illustrates the tasks Soldiers must complete in order to receive Federal Tuition Assistance funding for courses they are enrolled in at, Non-LOI Schools the first time they use FTA.

Create GoArmyEd Account

Soldier Obtains Class Schedule & Cost Verification

Documents From School

Soldier Uploads Class Schedule & Cost Verifications Documents in PDF to Efile in

Your GAE Account

Soldier Creates & Submits A Separate TA Form For Each Course Listed In Your Class

Schedule Using GAE

TA Requests Approved TA Requests Reviewed By

Army Education Counselor

TA Requests Rejected

Soldier Correcta Errors to Rejected TA Requests

Soldier Moves Rejected TA Requests Back Into Pending Status & Submit TA Form

Again

Soldier Provides TA Form To School GAE Billing Official

TA Requests Approved

TA Requests Reviewed By Army Education Counselor

Please review the following documentation checklist for degree plan, course schedule,

and itemized bill requirements before resubmitting your request!

-All Documentation Must Be Systems Generated-

Was your Degree Plan or FTA Authorization Request Rejected?

Degree Plan

• • • • • •

•

Your Name Official School Name Degree Title and Degree Level Course Subject Code Course Number Semester/Quarter/Clock Hours For Each Course Document saved in PDF format

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Class Schedule

• Your Name • Official School Name • Course Subject Code • Course Number • Course Name • Semester/Quarter/Clock Hours For Each Course • Class Start Date • Document saved in PDF format

Itemized Bill/Invoice

Your Name Official School Name Itemized list of Tuition Itemized list of fees Computer/system generated documents Tuition and fees MUST be listed separately Document saved in PDF format **Manually created invoice will not be accepted

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Chapter 7 – What Happens After I Submit My FTA Application?

7.0 – Overview

The Iowa Army National Guard Education Services Specialist reviews nearly 1,000 FTA requests each fiscal year; many of those request are reviewed more than once due to errors. FTA request are usually processed within 3 business days; request are reviewed in the order they are received. You may check your FTA request status by:

• Logging in to your GAE account.

• Select the “My Education Record.”

• Select the “Education” tab.

• Scroll toward the bottom of the page to view previous and pending FTA request.

7.1 – Why Having An Email Account You Check Daily Is Important

• GoArmyEd will generate an email when your application has been approved or rejected.

• If your application is rejected, the Army Education Services

Specialist will provide the reason your application was rejected, the steps/documents required to correct the application, and instructions on how to return your application from a rejected status to a pending status.

FTA

Request Status

FTA Approved: Request processed

FTA Pending: Request submitted

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7.2 – If Your Application Is Approved

• The “Request Status” will denote “Approved.” You will also receive an email from GoArmyEd stating your application has been approved with instructions on how to print your FTA authorization form.

• It is the Soldier’s responsibility to ensure the approved FTA Authorization form is

submitted to the school. You are required to provide your school’s billing department a copy of the approved FTA Authorization form immediately. This is your proof the Army has approved FTA for your course.

7.3 – Printing Your TA Authorization Form

• It is the Soldier’s responsibility to email or hand deliver the FTA authorization form to the billing official that handles GoArmyEd program for the school’s billing department.

• The point of contact name, phone number, and email address is located in section

2C of the TA form. Verify the correct amount has been approved before you provide the FTA form to the school. If the amount is incorrect, contact your IAARNG GoArmyEd Education Services Specialist immediately.

1) Click on "Other Links"

2) Select the category "After You Enroll in a Class" (Click on the + mark)

3) Click on “View all TA Requests” and then click on “Search”

4) Select the course you want to print the TA Authorization Form

5) Place a check mark in the appropriate blocks and select the "Print TA Form"

6) A message will appear: "Report is Running..."

7) Print the TA Authorization Form

8) Provide the form to your school’s billing department and specifically give

it to the GoArmyEd Invoicing Official listed in section (2) of the form. The school point of contact’s name, phone number, and email is provided.

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7.4 – “When is the Army Going to Pay My School?”

• There are over 3,500 schools (nation-wide) using GoArmyEd. Every school is scheduled to submit their invoice to the Army on a minimum of a quarterly basis. Before a school can submit their invoice to the Army, (4) things must occur.

1) The Soldier must provide the school with the FTA Authorization form

2) The Soldier must remain in the course beyond the school’s published deadline

3) The Soldier must complete at least 19% of the course

4) The School submits the invoice after steps 1-3 have occurred

7.5 – How Will My Grade Get Posted In GAE?

• GoArmyEd participating schools are required to post your final grade, for each course, no later than 14 days after the course end date.

• Although you are not required to provide your semester transcripts to the

education center, it is your responsibility to ensure the school posts the correct final earned grade to GoArmyEd.

• If the grade is incorrect, contact your school to request the correction. If the

school does not input a final grade, a hold will be placed on your GAE account and you will remain ineligible for FTA until the final grade is posted.

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Chapter 8 – Changing Home School/Degree Plan 8.0 – Overview

When a Soldier transfers to another school and intends to use FTA, the Soldier must change his or her degree plan in GAE. Refer to the following procedure to accomplish this required task.

• Access VIA in GAE. VIA can be accessed in your GAE account by locating and click

the Access VIA button located on your GAE account home page.

• If you have already completed the 60 question assessment you do not have to complete the assessment again.

• If you have not completed the VIA assessment, you must complete the assessment

then in the final two or three steps of the VIA process you can then change your degree plan and home school.

• Do not rush through the VIA assessment. Just clicking through the process will

result you being unable to find your degree plan and home school.

Chapter 9 – Dropping Federal Tuition Assistance Requests

9.0 Overview

All tuition assistance requests must be dropped the day before the start date of a course or courses. This means Soldiers who drop the tuition assistance request associated with a class either on the start date or after the start date will be automatically recouped for the FTA funds that were approved. When a Soldier drops a TA request after the start date in the GAE system a recoupment is automatically generated. The best way to avoid dropping a tuition assistance request after the start date is to commit to long term planning by working with your academic advisor and also by fully completing the required GAE Course Planner.

Not only must the Soldier drop a course in the school’s student information system, but must also drop the TA request associated with the course that has been approved for FTA funds in the GAE system. Failure to do this in GAE will result eventually in a grade of W being reported to GAE. When a grade of W is reported into the GAE system a recoupment action will occur in GAE. The recoupment will be for the amount of FTA funds that were approved for TA request associated with the course you dropped in the school’s system.

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9.1 – Avoiding Recoupment Due to Dropping A Class After the Start Date

Soldiers that drop a course (TA request) after the start date can prevent recoupment from occurring. To avoid being recouped for dropping the course after the start date Soldiers must take quick action to avoid the recoupment. Soldiers should know what the date that has been established by the school to drop a course with a full refund. Once a Soldier moves beyond the last day to drop a course with a full refund, the cost rises each day you wait to drop the course. Dropping a course two-thirds of the way through a school term will result in you owing either the school or the Army.

If you do drop a course from the GAE system after the start date it is of critical importance that you contact the school billing official that handles the billing for GAE quickly. Remember when you drop a course from the GAE system after the start date of a course the GAE system will automatically start the recoupment process.

The following steps should be taken by the Soldier to stop the recoupment from occurring:

You must drop the TA request associated with the course in your GAE account.

Once you have dropped the course in your GAE account, then contact the

school billing official who handles the GAE billing. This person is usually located in the business office.

Ask the school billing official to reject the course associated with the TA

request you dropped in the GAE system.

By having the school’s billing office reject the class in the GoArmyEd system the recoupment is automatically cancelled.

Once the course is cancelled by the school rejecting the course in the GoArmy

system the Army is no longer billed and the Soldier will not be recouped.

The exception to this rule is when a TA request associated with a course is dropped in the GAE system by the Soldier and the Soldier is dropping a course after the last day to drop for a full refund as established by your school. Once this date has passed the longer the Soldier waits to request a school reject the tuition assistance request associated with the course, the Soldier will then end up paying either the Army or the school money.

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Chapter 10 – Withdrawal For Military Reasons

10.0 – Overview

Soldiers may request a Withdrawal for Military Reasons when events beyond his or her control prevent successful completion of a class or classes.

10.1 – Valid Reasons For Requesting A Withdrawal For Military Reasons

• Unanticipated deployment such as mobilization for flood duty, natural disasters, or to fill a slot in a deploying unit due to the needs of the Army

• Emergency leave

• Unanticipated reassignment

• Unanticipated illness or hospitalization

• Death of a family member

10.2 – Invalid Reasons For Requesting A Withdrawal For Military Reasons

Deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism when units have been informed of deployment well in advance of the actual deployment.

Annual training is not a valid reason for a military withdrawal. IAARNG units

are provided at the beginning of the fiscal year (01 OCT) of the date when annual training will occur.

10.3 – Who To Contact Regarding A Withdrawal For Military Reasons

Contact Michael Robinson regarding a military withdrawal if you think you have a valid reason for requesting a military withdrawal. If you do have a valid reason for requesting a military withdrawal, you will be provided with information regarding what you must do in order to submit a request for a military withdrawal.

All military withdrawals must be approved by the IAARNG Education Services

Officer

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Chapter 11 – Course Planner Requirements 11.0 – Overview

All Soldiers using FTA must create a Course Planner after completing six credit hours of course work using FTA. The Course Planner is developed in your GAE account and is not the same thing as the degree plan. You will input the courses you are required to complete in order to complete your degree. Only input the remaining courses you are required to complete into the Course Planner. Remember the courses you are inputting into the Course Planner must be listed in your degree plan. Failure to complete the Course Planner and the GAE system will prevent you from submitting TA requests.

11.1 – Creating the Course Planner

• In order to prepare a course planner, you must upload a new degree plan if you have not uploaded a degree plan previously.

• The degree plan may be uploaded directly to the Efile or you may use the Course

Planner to upload the degree plan.

• If you do upload the degree plan to the Efile it is of critical importance to use the correct ‘Transaction Type.’ The ‘Transaction Type’ that is used any time a degree plan is uploaded to the Efile is ‘Course Planner Student Agreement/Documented Degree Plan.’

11.2 – How to Use The Course Planner: Step-By-Step Instructions

A reminder that a step-by-step tutorial with detailed graphics is available at IAARNG Education Services Office GoArmyEd page at: https://www.iowanationalguard.com/Family%20and%20Services/Education/Pages/GoAr myEdu.aspx.

11.3 – Getting Started Creating the Course Planner

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11.4 – Semester Hours Needed to Graduate

• In the box “Units Remaining to Graduate” - put the total number of hours remaining to complete your degree. If your program is 120 semester hours and you have completed 50 semester hours than you still need 70 semester hours to complete your degree. Put 70 semester hours in the box. This can be changed if you change degree plans or schools.

11.5 – Unit Type

• Most schools are semester hours; however, please verify your unit type

with your school. Some schools use quarter hours or clock hours. Select the drop down arrow and select the unit type.

11.6 – Course Planner Courses

• This is where you list the remaining courses to complete your degree

requirements. You may list all the courses at once but you must list at least 50% of the remaining courses. Please do not list courses you have already completed.

11.7 – Home School

• The home school listed on your Student Record will pre- populate in the “School

Name” field.

• If your school uploads courses in GAE, you can search by subject/name then select, “ADD TO PLANNER BOX.” Please note: the course planner is for the required courses remaining to graduate. Please do not list courses you have already complete.

• If your school does not upload your courses in GAE, you must manually fill

out all the information requested on the course planner and the information you submit must match your approved degree plan. If the course is not listed on your degree plan, I cannot approve the course in your course planner (this includes electives).

• THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: The course information in your course planner will

populate in your FTA request. If this information is incorrect, your FTA request will not be paid. You must select the school each time you enter a course manually. If you enter 12 courses, you will select “school” 12x for 12 courses.

• The GAE system will send an auto generated message stating either courses you

have input into the Course Planner have been approved or rejected. The Army Education Services Specialist will also send you an email indicating your course planner has been approved or rejected. The email will include instruction on how to resubmit corrections until your degree plan/course planner is approved. If the course planner is required, you will not be able to request FTA until your Course Planner is “Approved.”

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• Input all of the remaining courses that are listed in your degree plan that you have not completed into the Course Planner. The exception to this rule may be electives that are not listed in your degree plan.

• Do not input only the courses you are enrolled in for the next semester, input all of

the courses. By inputting all of the courses you are required to complete for your degree you avoid last minute Course Planner updates.

• Once your Course Planner has been approved you will then use the Course

Planner to submit your TA requests.

11.8 – Adding Electives To The Course Planner Not Listed In Degree Plan

It is not unusual for electives not to be listed in the degree plan. In such situations the elective can be approved, however you are required to take the following additional steps.

o Contact your academic advisor or the director of the program that you are in

and obtain a memo from your academic advisor.

o The memo from your academic advisor must state the specific course name, education code, and catalog number of the course or courses you are attempting to input into the Course Planner.

o The memo must state that the course or courses you are attempting to have

approved in the course planner.

o Once the memo has been received by either you or me, it must be saved in PDF format and uploaded to the Efile.

o Inform me that this has been accomplished so when I review your Course

Planner I know to look for your academic advisor’s memo.

o Add the course in the course planner or if has been rejected move it back into pending status so it can be approved in your Course Planner.

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11.9 – Requesting TA For A Course You Are Enrolled in Other Than Your Home School

Soldiers may request federal tuition assistance for a course or courses from a

school other than their home school. Frequently this is done when a student wants to take a course at a community college that will transfer to a university. An example would be when a Soldier wants to take a foreign language course at the community college and once completed plans on transferring the course to the university.

The same procedure must be followed that is described in the ‘Adding Electives To

The Course Planner Not Listed In Degree Plan’ section above.

The memo from your academic advisor regarding a course you are enrolled in at another school must include the following information:

o Name of the school you will be enrolled in for the course.

o Name of the course, education code and catalog number.

o Your academic advisor must state that the course from the other school will transfer and be accepted for credit at your home school.

o The advisor must also state that the course does meet your degree plan

requirements and will lead to completion of your degree.

Once the memo is obtained from your academic advisor and you have uploaded it in PDF format to the Efile, then you must enter the course into the Course Planner.

When inputting the class information for a course you are requesting FTA for that

is not your home school, you do not use your home school as the School Name. Instead you will input the name of the school you are requesting FTA for.

This option can be used during the same semester you are requesting FTA for

courses in your degree program at your home school.

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Chapter 12 – Working With Rejected FTA Requests 12.0 – Overview

It is not unusual to have FTA requests rejected. If a FTA request is rejected by an Army education counselor, this does not mean the situation cannot be corrected. To avoid having FTA requests rejected it is important to know what is required. To find out what is required from a documentation standpoint, it is important to refer to Chapter 5 of this handbook. Another valuable resources is the IAARNG GEA Soldier Support web site. You may access the site at https://www.iowanationalguard.com/Family%20and%20Services/Education/Pages/GoArmyEdu. aspx. Other than waiting to the last minute to submit FTA requests the most common reason Soldiers fail to receive FTA funds is the failure of Soldiers to submit correct documentation.

Common FTA Rejects

12.1 – Missing Cost Verification & Class Schedule Documents

• If you receive either a GAE auto generated email or an email from me stating that the cost verification and class schedule is missing, this means that you have not uploaded the documents to the Efile in your GAE account.

• Remember new class schedule and cost verification documents are required to be

uploaded to the Efile each time you are requesting FTA during a new school term or semester.

12.2 – Missing Course Schedule

• If you receive either a GAE auto generated email or an email from me stating the class schedule is missing, this means that you have not uploaded the document to the Efile in your GAE account.

• A new class schedule documents is required to be uploaded to the Efile each time

you are requesting FTA during a new school term or semester.

12.3 – Missing Itemized Bill

If you receive either a GAE auto generated email or an email from me stating the cost verification document is missing, this means that you have not uploaded the document to the Efile in your GAE account.

A new cost verification document is required to be uploaded to the Efile each time

you are requesting FTA during a new school term or semester.

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12.4 – Class Schedule Document Does Not Meet FTA Policy Requirements

If you receive either a GAE auto generated email or an email from me stating the class schedule does not meet FTA policy requirements, this means that a required item is not listed on the document. Refer to Chapter 5 of this handbook or the IARNG ESO GAE Soldier Support web site.

The official course schedule must be yours. The course schedule must have the

school's name and your name on each document and be in a PDF format that cannot be manipulated. The course schedule must include your name, the school’s name, the number of semester hours for each class, and the start and end dates of each class.

12.5 – Cost Verification Document Does Not Meet FTA Policy Requirements

• If you receive either a GAE auto generated email or an email from me stating the cost verification does not meet FTA policy requirements, this means that a required item is not listed on the document. Refer to Chapter 5 of this handbook or the IARNG ESO GAE Soldier Support web site.

• An official itemized bill and course schedule that is yours from your school for the

course or courses you are requesting FTA for. The document must have the school's name and your name on each document and be in a PDF or non- manipulative format. The itemized bill must specifically show the cost of your tuition for the classes and the course schedule must include the course number, course name, number of semester hours (units), start and end dates of each class.

•

12.6 – Degree Plan/Student Agreement Does Not Meet FTA Policy Requirements

• If you receive either a GAE auto generated email or an email from me stating the

degree plan/student agreement does not meet FTA policy requirements, this means that a required item is not listed on the document. Refer to Chapter 5 of this handbook or the IARNG ESO GAE Soldier Support web site.

• All student agreements/degree plans must be in a PDF or non-manipulative format,

have the school’s name, your name, academic advisor’s name, name of the degree you are pursuing and list all of your courses, including electives, by course name and number you must complete in order to complete your degree.

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12.7 – Rejected Course In Course Planner

• If you receive either a GAE auto generated email or an email from me stating a course or courses has been rejected in the Course Planner, this means the course is not listed in your degree plan.

• If this course is required, see your academic advisor and have your degree plan

updated and upload your new degree plan to your efile, attach it to your course planner and resubmit for approval. All courses listed on your course planner must be specifically listed on your degree plan as a graduation requirement in order to be considered for Fed TA. The course number and course name must be on your degree plan.

Chapter 13 – Working With ACES Holds 13.0 – Overview

The GAE system is programmed to automatically place holds on Soldiers’ GAE accounts for a variety of reasons. When your GAE account is on an ACES hold you will not be able to submit FTA requests. The following are common ACES HOLDS that affect Soldiers’ ability to submit FTA requests.

13.1 – ACES Degree Plan/Student Agreement Hold

• The ACES Degree Plan/Student Agreement is auto generated by the GAE system after either one of the following situations has occurred.

o The Soldier has completed six credit hours of course using Federal Tuition

Assistance funds o The Soldier has changed your degree plan and home school in the GAE system.

• Obtain a degree plan from your school. You must have an approved personalized degree plan on file which at this point in time you do not. Many times the degree plan can be obtained from the school’s student information system. Some schools require students to meet with their academic counselor to obtain the document. Another alternative is to contact the school’s registrar’s office.

• Upload that document to the Efile of your GAE account.

• Create a HELP DESK CASE requesting review and approval of the degree plan.

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13.2 – ACES Flag Hold

• Occurs when the SIDPERS system communicates once a month to the GAE system and reports that you are some type of flag hold.

• Contact your unit Readiness NCO in order to find out why you have been flagged.

• The flag on your personnel file in SIDPERS must be cleared and this must clear out

of the GAE system. This can take between 1 to 34 days for the flag hold to clear out of GAE.

• Until the flag hold clears out of GAE you cannot receive federal tuition assistance.

• This hold cannot be deferred by an Army Education Counselor

13.3 – ACES GPA Hold

• Occurs when your GAE GPA drops below 2.0 if you are an undergraduate student or 3.0 if you are a graduate student.

• The hold is auto-generated once you have completed 15 credit hours using FTA

funds.

• Create a HELPDESK Case or contact Michael Robinson if you have questions pertaining to an ACES GPA Hold.

13.4 – ACES Incomplete Grade Hold

• Occurs when your school has not reported a grade for which you have received FTA funding within 45 days of the end date of the course.

• If this hold occurs either create a HELPDESK Case or contact Michael Robinson.

• This hold can be deferred up to 120 days.

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Chapter 14 – General Questions and Answers Army Federal Tuition Assistance

14.1 A Soldier completed ALC while enlisted and then became an officer

(warrant or commissioned); does this Soldier now need to complete the corresponding officer MEL 2 requirement?

A: No, once a Soldier meets a MEL “gate” (in any branch of military service) the Soldier will remain MEL qualified for that Tier level regardless of change in paygrade or career status.

14.2 Army Directive 2018-09 does not make mention of a TA ADSO or RDSO for

commissioned officers who use TA. Does this policy still apply?

A: Yes. The 2-year ADSO and 4-year RDSO for commissioned officers (CW2/01 and above) are Title 10 mandates.

14.3 A Soldier states that he completed AIT, but GoArmyEd indicates he has not. Why

is that and what should the Education Counselor do?

A: Contact your Education Counselor. The Education Counselor can defer the hold based on either the Soldier’s Joint Services Transcript or the DD 214.

14.4 Some Soldiers, particularly in the Reserve Component, are unable to attend

advanced military education training due to the lack of training seat availability. Will these Soldiers be able to obtain a waiver or ETP so they can use TA?

A: No, there is presently no provision in the new policy to grant exceptions to the MEL eligibility criteria.

14.5 Some military training courses did not exist or had different titles at the time a

Soldier completed the course. How will this affect these Soldiers’ TA eligibility

A: These Soldiers will be unaffected. Soldiers who attended training courses with different names or titles will be coded in GoArmyEd as having completed the equivalent current MEL requirement.

14.6 Due to MOS end-strength caps Soldiers in some MOSs do not have the same opportunity for promotion as others and therefore may be disadvantaged because they may not be able to meet Tier 2 MEL standards. This is especially a concern among the Reserve Components. How will this new policy address this?

A: There is presently no provision in the new policy to grant exceptions to the MEL eligibility criteria.

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14.7 Will Soldiers currently using TA be “grandfathered” under current TA policy?

A: No, Soldiers currently enrolled will be able to finish the classes they are currently taking with approved TA, but will be required to meet the new standards for TA Requests submitted on or after 5 August 2018. Those who do not will be placed on hold.

14.8 What impact does the Army anticipate this change may have on the number of Soldiers who use TA?

A: We expect these changes will increase the use of TA. Eliminating the 1-year wait for new users will permit Soldiers to begin using TA sooner, thereby allowing Soldiers more time to take advantage of TA benefits during their Army service. Additionally, Soldiers who use TA for their undergraduate degree will also be able to use TA earlier toward a master’s degree because the majority of Soldiers will complete their advanced professional military education (PME) well before their 10th year of service, which was the previous requirement.

14.9 Some Soldiers, particularly in the Reserve Component, are unable to attend

advanced military education training due to the lack of training seat availability. Will these Soldiers be able to obtain a waiver or ETP so they can use TA?

A: No, there is presently no provision in the new policy to grant exceptions to the MEL eligibility criteria.

14.10 Some military training courses did not exist or had different titles at the time a Soldier completed the course. How will this affect these Soldiers’ TA eligibility?

A: These Soldiers will be unaffected. Soldiers who attended training courses with different names or titles will be coded in GoArmyEd as having completed the equivalent current MEL requirement.

14.11 Due to MOS end-strength caps Soldiers in some MOSs do not have the same

opportunity for promotion as others and therefore may be disadvantaged because they may not be able to meet Tier 2 MEL standards. This is especially a concern among the Reserve Components. How will this new policy address this?

A: There is presently no provision in the new policy to grant exceptions to the MEL eligibility criteria.

14.12 Some MOSs, such as 79R (Army Recruiter), JAG, and Army Band do not have an advanced course (e.g., ALC, CCC). How will this affect the Soldier’s TA eligibility?

A: Soldiers in MOSs/career fields that do not have a formal advanced course will receive constructive / equivalency credit based on completion of the advanced training specified for their MOS. This same logic applies to commissioned and warrant officers

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whose unique career path may prescribe alternate advanced level training / education.

14.13 Can a Soldier who holds a doctor’s level degree use TA to pursue an academic certificate?

A: Yes, as long as the Soldier has not been awarded a certificate in the previous five years.

14.14 Currently, TA requests that Soldiers submit less than five days prior to the class

start date and do not get approved before the class start date are ineligible for TA, regardless of the reason the TA request was not approved. Does this rule still apply?

A: Yes, TA requests submitted less than five business days prior to the class start date are ineligible for ETP consideration if not approved prior to the class start date, regardless of reason.

14.15 If a Soldier completed AIT while enlisted, and then the Soldier becomes a warrant

officer or commissioned officer, does that Soldier now have to complete BOLC or WOBC to meet Tier 1 or Tier 2 eligibility?

A: No. For MEL purposes, the Soldier’s education during periods of prior service counts. This applies to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 education requirements.

14.16 How long will it take for the automatic data feed to update a Soldier’s MEL status in GoArmyEd? The civilian education level code can take between 1 week to 4 weeks or longer depending on the component’s personnel system. Can ACES Counselors defer this hold with proof of course completion while waiting for the military systems to update GoArmyEd?

A: GoArmyEd refreshes nightly, however it could take as long as four weeks for GoArmyEd to receive the feed. Counselors will be able to grant a one-time deferral (up to 90 days) if the Soldier uploads their JST or DA Form 1059 verifying the Soldier completed the training.

14.17 Will the new policy allow officers who are required to meet Tier 2 MEL standards

and are attending their Captains Career Course (CCC) to use TA to enroll in a master’s degree program?

A: Soldiers (officer or enlisted) who are enrolled in a resident PME course that has an established formal partnership agreement between the PME proponent school and an EI may submit a helpdesk case requesting an ETP for the Tier 2 MEL completion requirement. The Soldier must upload to GoArmyEd a memorandum from their PME school Advisor or Registrar verifying their participation in the partnership program before the hold can be deferred.

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14.18 What is the eligibility status for 09R / 09S?

A: Soldiers with 09R or 09S MOS classification are immediately eligible to use federal tuition assistance funding once they have completed AIT/WOBC/BOLC. Such Soldiers can use TA provided they are not on any type of ROTC Scholarship.

14.19 If a Soldier is under the 16 SH limit but the next enrollment would take the total

above 16 SHs, will TA pay for the SHs that do not go over the 16 SH limit?

A: TA will pay for UP TO 16 SHs (proration applies).

14.20 Does 16 semester hours of TA – funded classes start at the beginning of the calendar year or at the beginning of the academic year.

A: The 16 semester hour is based on the fiscal year, 1 October to 30 September. TA is associated with the class start date within a fiscal year.

14.21 Will classes dropped for personal reasons count towards the 16 semester hour

limit?

A: Yes, classes dropped after the start date in which there is a cost to the Army will count towards your 16 semester hour fiscal year total.

14.22 Will classes dropped for military reasons count towards the 16 semester hour

limit?

A: If you have to drop a class due to unforeseen military reasons, those semester hours will not count towards your 16 semester hour fiscal year total. Note: Military withdrawal must be approved by your Education Services Officer to be valid.

14.23 How does the FY18 TA policy impact the special programs such as courses for

establishing initial teacher certification, prerequisite courses for the AMEDD Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP) and the Inter-service Physician's Assistant Program (IPAP), DOD Strategic Languages courses and courses for a Specialized Chaplain Certificate?

A: After completion of your AIT/WOBC/BOLC requirement you are immediately eligible to use federal tuition assistance funding for courses for establishing initial teacher certification, prerequisite courses for the AMEDD Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP) and the Inter-service Physician's Assistant Program (IPAP), DOD Strategic Languages courses and courses for a Specialized Chaplain Certificate. These special programs are exempt from the applicable undergraduate/graduate semester hour limit and Tier II requirements.

14.24 I have an active Go Army Ed account, what next?

A: Your Go Army Ed account allows you $4,000 in tuition assistance per fiscal year with a semester hour cap of $250. When your account was established, a home school and degree plan were declared. You will need to ensure the classes you select meet the degree plan as outlined in your Statement of Understanding. If your

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home school is a Non-LOI school such as one of the Iowa public universities you must upload cost verification and class schedule documents to the Efile of your GAE account. Next step is to submit TA requests. If your home school is an LOI school, you enroll in courses through the GAE portal, but you do not have to provide cost verification and class schedule documents.

14.25 I have identified the class on my degree plan, how do I enroll using tuition assistance?

A: In most instances there are two avenues you need to complete when enrolling in a class. First, you must complete the enrollment in the GoArmyEd (GAE) portal.

There are two types of enrollments in GoArmyEd; those schools that have signed a Letter of Instruction (LOI) and those that have selected to be in a non-LOI status. Iowa schools such as the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, and Iowa Community Colleges are non-LOI schools. Also private liberal arts colleges such as Drake University are non-LOI schools as well.

TIP: The Military Advisor at the school can be the deployed Soldier’s best friend when trying to manipulate the maze of higher education.

Secondly, you must ensure enrollment with the school. Each school will have their own individual methods for completing enrollments; the most comprehensive information for the deployed Soldier is contained on the school’s website.

TIP: An LOI school has agreed to maintain the GAE portal; they will upload the classes, the financial information and process all payments through the portal. A non-LOI school has agreed to the rules of tuition assistance and provides limited amount of support through the portal. The Soldier must provide the appropriate documentation in the eFile to include a fully documented degree plan and the actual invoice or cost by semester hour for the course. If either of these items are missing or unacceptable, the course will be rejected.

14.26 I have selected my college and degree plan but the hourly tuition assistance

rate has exceeded the semester hour cap, is there any additional financial assistance available?

A: If you have applied and have been approved for the Iowa Army National Guard Education Program (NGEAP), NGEAP funds can be used to pay the additional tuition costs. NGEAP funds can also be used to pay for fees. NGEAP must be applied for before the semester or school term begins. Also it is important to work with your financial aid office and make sure you are taking advantage of all possible grants such as the Pell Grant that can be used with FTA, and NGEAP.

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14.27 I went to enroll in my class, completed all of the steps and received a Warning indicating that I am required to pay for the class, what now?

A: Generally there are a couple of reasons why you would have to pay for a class. Some of them can be overcome others can’t. Typically, the cause is that your account is on hold for some reason, the class is not part of your degree plan or you have exceeded the semester hour limitation guidelines, or the cost per credit hour has exceeded the $250 per credit hours cap.

14.28 I started a class and decided I am unable to complete it successfully, can I drop the class?

A: Yes, you can drop the class but usually there are some repercussions. When you signed your Statement of Understanding, you entered into a contract with the Army stating you will reimburse the Army “if I withdraw from or fail to complete a course for academic or personal reasons to include; receipt of “F” for nonattendance, failure to remove an “I” for incomplete grade within the time stipulated by the school, or 120 days,….”

If you drop a course in the GAE system before the start date of the course no recoupment will occur. If you drop a course in GAE after the start date of the course a recoupment will occur. If this happens contact your school billing official and tell the billing official to reject the TA request in GAE associated with the course you dropped. By doing that the recoupment will be cancelled. You must quickly contact the school billing official if you have dropped the course after the start date.

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Appendix A Important Contact Information

• Michael Robinson, Education Services Specialist, Federal Tuition Assistance Manager Iowa Army National Guard, (515) 252-4422, michael.p.robinson1.civ@mail.mil

• Iowa Army National Guard Education Services Office, (515) 252-4468

• GoArmyEd HELPDESK (CONUS), 1-800-817-9990

• GoArmyEd HELPDESK (OCONUS), 1-800-861-7770

• Country Specific OCONUS GoArmyEd HELPDESK telephone numbers

OCONUS LOCATION TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER

Afghanistan **See Note Below

Croatia 0800 220111

Egypt

Cairo 510-0200

Outside Cairo 02-510-0200

Iraq **See Note Below

Japan

IDC 0066-55-111

JT 0044-11-111

Jordan 18-800-000

Kuwait **See Note Below

Macedonia 99-800-4288

Marshall Islands 1-800-225-5288

Netherlands 0800-022-9408

Russia 755-5555

Moscow 755-5042

** Note: Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Yugoslavia - Kosovo - Using a pre-programmed telephone, dial the OCONUS toll-free helpdesk number (1-800-861-7770) from your military base

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OCONUS LOCATION TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER Australia 1-800-14-3785

Belgium 0800-7-4695

Germany 0800-181-7814

Greece 00-800-11-005-2493

Italy 800-788727

Japan 00531-11-5033

Korea Republic 00308-11-0546

Thailand 001-800-11005-2493

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Appendix B Acronyms and Definitions

ACE – American Council on Education - was founded in 1918 to coordinate higher education’s response to the entrance of veterans into higher education. It’s a unifying voice for higher education, ACE aims to foster greater collaboration and new partnership within and outside the higher education community to help colleges and universities anticipate and address the challenges.

ACES – Army Continuing Education System is established in accordance with Section 4302, Title 10, USC Codes. ACES education provides for on and off duty instruction to assist Soldiers in increasing military competency, attaining leadership skills, and transitioning to the civilian work force.

ADSO – Active Duty Service Obligation-Active duty officer or commissioned warrant officer incur additional time on active duty

ARNG – Army National Guard

ESO – State education services officer is the officer in charge that supervises the implementation of NGB guidance for all education and incentives programs.

ESS – Education Services Specialist – Is the Federal Tuition Assistance Program manager for the IAARNG. Provides assistance to Soldiers regarding federal tuition assistance policy and use of the GoArmyEd system. Also provides career and educational counseling for Soldiers.

DD214 – Armed Forces of the U.S. Report of Transfer or Discharge Certificate –denotes start and end dates of training

FTA – Federal Tuition Assistance program. . GAE – Go Army Ed - Is an education website designed to be a one-stop shop for Soldiers to access ACES programs and services anytime, anywhere with a 24/7 helpdesk support. Soldiers will request all TA online through GoArmyEd.

GMAT – Graduate Management Admissions Test.

GPA – Grade Point Average

GRE – Graduate Record Examination

IMCOM – Installation Management Command

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JST – Joint Services Transcript - a synchronized transcript presenting data for the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. Each JST includes personal service member data; military course completions; military occupations descriptions; college level test scores such as the CLEP, DSST, and NCPACE; other learning experiences; and a summary page with Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Course Category Codes. The JST is accepted at more than 2,300 colleges and universities.

NGB – National Guard Bureau

SA – Student Agreement – Another name for degree plan. It is a precise listing of course/credit requirements needed to complete a degree program.

SAT – Scholastic Assessment Test

SIFT – Selection Instrument for Flight Training

SM – Service Member.

SOC -- Servicemember Opportunity College-Network of institutions recognizing and responding to Soldiers expectations for postsecondary adult continuing education. National higher educational associations sponsor this organization.

SOU -- Statement of Understanding - Summarizes those parts of the regulation the Soldier is expected to understand in reference to TA use.

TA – Tuition assistance

TABE – The Adult Basic Exam

TAR – Tuition assistance request. The electronic form used by Soldiers to submit federal tuition assistance requests for courses.

TCO – Testing Control Officer

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language

USAR – U.S. Army Reserve

WM – Military Withdrawal

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Appendix C

Links

Accreditation SearchU: https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx

AMEDDU: http://www.armymedicine.army.mil

AMEDD PA Program: www.usarec.army.mil/armypa

College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

Federal Student Aid: www.studentaid.ed.gov

Free Application for Federal Student AidU: www.fafsa.ed.gov

GoArmyEdU: www.goarmyed.com

GRE websiteU: www.gre.org

GMAT websiteU: www.mba.com/mba

Iowa Army National Guard Education Services Office: https://www.iowanationalguard.com/Family%20and%20Services/Education/Pages/Hom e.aspx

Iowa Army National Guard Education Services Office Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrobi2016/

Iowa Army National Guard Education Services GoArmyEd Soldier SupportU: https://www.iowanationalguard.com/Family%20and%20Services/Education/Pages/GoAr myEdu.aspx

Iowa Army National Guard OCSU: https://www.iowanationalguard.com/Recruiting/OSM/Pages/Default.aspx?url=OCS.htm

Iowa Army National Guard Warrant Officer ProgramsUU: https://www.iowanationalguard.com/Recruiting/OSM/Pages/Default.aspx?url=OCS.htm

Veterans Affairs GI Bill: www.gibill.va.gov