Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
What Is It?
FTA is financial assistance provided for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a Soldier’s professional and personal self-development goals. (Reference: AR 621-5, RAR, 28 October 2019, Army Continuing Education System).
How Do I Qualify?
Tier 1:
- Be currently serving in the ARNG and completed either Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC), or Basic Officer Leaders Course (BOLC).
- Have not attained a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue an undergraduate academic certificate, associate’s or bachelor's degree or
- Have attained a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue a graduate academic certificate or
- Have attained a bachelor's degree without the use of FTA and wish to pursue a master’s degree.
Tier 2:
- Be currently serving in the ARNG and completed either Advanced Leader’s Course (ALC), Warrant Officer Advanced Course (WOAC), Captain’s Career Course (CCC), or equivalent
- Have attained a bachelor's degree with the use of FTA and wish to pursue a master’s degree.
Service Requirement/Obligation:
- Have an ETS or MRD after completion of FTA funded course(s).
- 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).
Additional Criteria:
- The college is regionally or nationally accredited AND is a participant in GoArmyEd (GAE).
- The funded course(s) meets a requirement listed in your personalized degree plan provided by the school (this can include prerequisite courses).
- You maintain an undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or a graduate GPA of 3.0 for FTA-funded courses.
- You must submit your FTA request at least 5 business days prior to course start date.