To provide resources in a fair and equitable manner guiding Service Members and building strong minds for an “Always Ready” South Carolina National Guard.

• The FTA Program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty civilian education programs in support of a Soldier's professional and personal self-development goals. FTA pays up to $250 per semester hour (SH)/up to $165 per quarter hour (QH). Soldiers are eligible to receive FTA for up to $4,500 OR 18SH (whichever limit is reached first) each fiscal year. Effective 11 December 2024, Soldiers new to FTA must complete Career Path Decide or the Kuder Career Assessment and ArmyIgnitED 101 training prior to submitting an education goal. Contact the education office for information on completing the training. Key facts:
  • You must have a common access card to request funding at https://www.armyignited.army.mil/student
  • Cannot be flagged/ IPPS-A record must be updated.
  • 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). 
  • You must maintain a 2.0 GPA for an undergraduate degree and a 3.0 GPA for graduate degree in ArmyIgnitED.
  • FTA can be requested up to 60 days but MUST be requested 7 DAYS PRIOR to the start date of the term.
  • FTA is authorized for an Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree as well as ONE academic certificate.
  • FTA cannot be used for a degree already earned regardless of how it was funded or a lower-level degree.

Selected Reserve Chapter 1606

• The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Army National Guard and Air National Guard. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits.
• Who is eligible?
• To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
• Have a six–year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985. If you are an officer, you must agree to serve six years in addition to your original obligation. For some types of training it is necessary to have a six–year commitment that begins after September 30, 1990.
• Complete your initial active duty training (IADT).
• Meet the requirements to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT. You may not use 12 hours towards a college degree to meet this requirement .
• Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selective Reserve unit.

• CA can be used to pursue courses and exams for over 1,500 credentials, certifications and licenses. CA may be authorized for the payment of credentialing expenses for classroom, hands-on, online/blended training, study guides, materials, textbooks, fees, exams, and/or recertification of credentials. Soldiers can request CA funding for any credential listed in Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL):  https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/index.html. New CA users must complete MilGEARS and CA 101 training prior to submitting an education goal. Soldiers can use both FTA/CA, however, CA funds cannot exceed $2,000 per fiscal year. Key facts:
  • You must have a common access card to request funding at https://www.armyignited.army.mil/student
  • Cannot be flagged/ IPPS-A record must be updated.
  • CA can be requested up to 90 days but MUST be requested 45 DAYS PRIOR to the start date of the course or exam. Reimbursements are not allowed.
  • Credentials are limited to ONE per FY. Recertifications do not count towards the FY limit.
  • CA usage will be capped at three credentials per ten years of service. This is retroactive based on BASD.
  • Soldiers are required to take the exam associated with the Credential training. You must ensure the exam/course results are uploaded in your CA request.
  • CA for Credentials related to aviation pilots' licenses are capped at $1,000 per FY.

• The Post–9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service–connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post–9/11 GI Bill.
• The Post–9/11 GI Bill became effective for training on or after August 1, 2009. The amount of support that an individual may qualify for depends on where they live and what type of degree they are pursuing. For a summary of Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, see the benefit comparison chart.
• Approved training under the Post–9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, and vocational/technical training. All training programs must be offered by an institution of higher learning (IHL) and approved for GI Bill benefits. Additionally, tutorial assistance, and licensing and certification test reimbursement are approved under the Post–9/11 GI Bill.
• The Post–9/11 GI Bill will pay your tuition based upon the highest in–state tuition charged by an educational institution in the state where the educational institution is located. For more expensive tuition, the “Yellow Ribbon Program” exists which may help to reimburse the difference. For more information on the Yellow Ribbon Program click here.
• The Post–9/11 GI Bill also offers some Service Members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill to dependents. Service Members interested in transferring benefits can access milConnect click here.
• Service Member or dependents may apply for benefits at Vets.gov click here.

For more information on Post-9/11 GI Bill click here.

The SCNG College Assistance Program will pay 100% of college tuition and fees at state supported institutions up to $12,000 per year, with a lifetime cap of $25,000 per service-member.  Service Members must be in good academic with the institution to receive CAP funding.
SCNG College Assistance Program Application https://che.sc.gov/scngcap
After a Soldier submits the application, they will receive an automated email advising them that the application was successfully submitted.  Once approved, they will receive a separate automated email advising them of their status. The approved request is entered into the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) web portal.  The institution will pull the eligibility roster from the web portal.  The institution will then submit an invoice to the CHE requesting the funds.
To determine eligibility, contact the Education Services Office.

The following incentives are currently offered to qualified personnel:

• Affiliation Bonus
• Enlistment Bonus
• Extension /Re–enlistment Bonus
• Federal Student Loan Repayment Programs
• Officer Bonus
• Prior–Service Bonus

• Joint Service Transcripts
• Apply for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
• Apply for College Assistance Program (CAP)
• GI Bill Website
• Apply for GI Bill Benefits
• Post 9-11 Transfer Benefits
• Apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Apply for S.C. National Guard Association Scholarship
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• Army COOL - Costs and Funding - Army Credentialing Assistance (osd.mil)
• SCARNG Education Services (Public) | General | Microsoft Teams
• Participating Institutions (dodmou.com)
• MyCAA — Financial Assistance for Military Spouses (militaryonesource.mil)
• Student Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid
• Career Path Decide
• MilGEARS

Education Services Officer
SGM (ret.) Mr. Paul Mead
Office: 803-299-2734
Email: paul.j.mead2.civ@army.mil

Incentive Manager
MSG Orenthia Tompkins
Office: 803-299-4002
Email:  orenthia.j.tompkins.mil@army.mil

Education Services Specialist
Federal Tuition Assistance
Mrs. Nicole Davis 
Office: 803-299-5318
Email: nicole.l.davis56.civ@army.mil

Guidance Counselor
Ms. Sherice Watson
Office: 803-299-5311
Email: sherice.n.watson.mil@army.mil

Student Loan Repayment Manager
VACANT
Office: 803-299-2734
Email: paul.j.mead2.civ@army.mil

MGIB Manager
SPC Jazmine Squire
Office: 803-299-2325
Email: jazmine.d.squire.mil@army.mil

Education Technician
SGT Tanaysia Myers
Office: 803-299-3372
Email: tanaysia.j.myers.mil@army.mil