State Aid: New York Army National Guard Federal Tuition Assistance Program (ARNG FTA)

New York Army National Guard Federal Tuition Assistance Program (ARNG FTA), formerly the ACES Program, is not specifically a veterans program but offers NY ARNG soldiers from $250 per semester hour to $4,500 annually per soldier, not to exceed the cost of the course or program taken. The institution must be accredited but may include public/private colleges, universities, vocational, technical, or trade schools within and outside of NYS. ARNG also funds non-degree study at accredited institutions. While professional degrees are eligible, doctoral programs are not.

How Much Funding Can I recieve?

The New York Army National Guard receives approximately 2 million dollars in Army National Guard (ARNG) Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) each year to help our soldiers pursue their civilian education goals. ARNG FTA can be applied to a course or program taken at a regionally or nationally accredited, public or private, college, university, vocational, technical or trade school located inside or outside of New York.

The ARNG Federal TA can pay tuition costs of:

  • $250.00 per semester hour
  • $167.00 per quarter hour
  • $16.66 per clock hour

The Program can also pay for mandatory fees associated with enrollment. For example: Activity fees, lab fees, culinary fees, etc. This does not include parking fees, credit evaluations, transcript fees, textbook or medical services.

The total amount of Federal TA (including qualifying fees) for each soldier can not exceed $4,500.00 within a fiscal year (1 Oct - 30 September).

How do I apply for funding?

To apply for ARNG Federal TA soldiers must submit an appication through www.virtualarmory.com, prior to the start of their course. When the education office recieves the FTA appication, an e-mail will be sent to the soldiers AKO account to confirm reciept. The soldier will recieve another e-mail once the application is processed.

The approved FTA application will then be e-mailed or Faxed directly to the school. The school will bill the education office and payment will be made directly to the school. It is the soldier's responsibility to follow the directions provided by the Education Services Office staff.

Any changes to an approved FTA application(course information, school information or start/end dates) must be submitted in writing to the Education Services Office. Any invoice from the college/university that does not match the approved FTA application will not be processed for payment. The soldier will be liable for any tuition incurred for courses that have not been approved by the Education Services Officer.

Can I use ARNG FTA and Montgomery GI Bill benefits for the same courses?

If you are taking 6 or more credits at the same time (usually the equivalent of two courses) AND you are also eligible to receive Selected Reserve - Montgomery GI Bill benefits the following information pertains to you. Soldiers taking 6 or more credits at the same time may receive ARNG Federal TA and MGIB benefits for the same class.

For more information, visit: www.dmna.state.ny.us/education.