The ESO’s Mission

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

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
The Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance for education programs in support of a Soldier’s professional and personal self-development goals.
TA policy allows Soldiers to use TA after successful completion of their first year of service after graduating from either AIT for enlisted, WOBC for Warrant Officers or BOLC for officers. Soldiers are eligible for up to 16 semester hours per fiscal year and they can use TA for a second, higher-level post-bachelor’s degree after completion of 10 years of service. The second degree time in service requirement applies to movement from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree and not from an associate’s to a bachelor’s degree. Also, the 10-year requirement only applies if Army TA was used to pay for any portion of the undergraduate coursework.
All eligible Soldiers will request TA through the ArmyIgnitED portal . Soldiers may request up to 16 semester hours of TA per fiscal year; the semester hour cap is $250.
Current Army policy limits TA to 130 semester hours of undergraduate credit or baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first, and 39 semester hours of graduate credit or master’s degree whichever comes first. The 39 semester hour limit applies to all credits taken after completion of a baccalaureate degree.
 TA requests must be submitted 60 to 5 business days prior to the class start date. 
GI Bill
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.
  • More information on this Benefit.
Post–9/11 GI Bill
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 here.
Service Member or dependents may apply for benefits at Vets.gov here.
For more information on Post-9/11 GI Bill click here.
South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program (SCNG CAP)
The SCNG College Assistance Program will pay 100% of college tuition and fees at state supported institutions up to $4,500 per year, with a lifetime cap of $18,000 per service-member.  Service Members must be in good academic with the institution to receive CAP funding.
  • SCNG College Assistance Program Application
  • After the application is received, the service-member notifies the financial aid office of their eligibility, confirmation of eligibility is made with CHE and financial imbursement is made directly to the school by CHE.
  • To determine eligibility, contact the Education Services Office.
Incentives
The following incentives are currently offered to qualified personnel:
  • Affiliation Bonus
  • Civilian Acquired Skills Bonus
  • Enlistment Bonus
  • Extension /Re–enlistment Bonus
  • Federal Student Loan Repayment Programs
  • Officer Bonus
  • Prior–Service Bonus

Helpful Links

Contact

Education Services Officer
1LT Shanekqua Holmes
Office: 803-299-4253
Email: shanekqua.l.holmes.mil@army.mil

Guidance Counselor/CAP Manager
Mr. Paul Mead
Office: 803-299-2734
Email: paul.j.mead2.civ@army.mil

Incentive Manager
Vacant
Office: 803-299-4002

MGIB Manager
SGT Christie Harris
Office: 803-299-2325
Email: christie.m.harris.mil@army.mil

Student Loan Repayment Manager
SGT Rashawn Lewis
Office: 803-299-4201
Email: rashawn.t.lewis2.mil@army.mil

Supervisory Education Services Specialist
Mr. John Berube
Office: 803-240-9507
Email: john.w.berube.civ@army.mil

Education Technician
Vacant
Office: 803-299-3372