Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 131 - MILITARY DEPARTMENT
Rule 131.00.19-001 - Arkansas National Gaurd Tuition Waiver Program
Universal Citation: AR Admin Rules 131.00.19-001
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024
Chapter 1 General
1-1.
Purpose This rule
establishes policy, procedure, and eligibility requirements for administration
of the Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver Program (NGTW).
1-2.
Entitlements The NGTW, as
established by Act 471, as amended by Act 535,located in Arkansas Code §
6- 60- 214, allows all eligible Guardsmen (see Chapter 2) to attend a
state-supported institution of higher education tuition-free. This benefit will
waive tuition for a maximum of 120 semester credit hours, The NGTW can only be
used to obtain an undergraduate degree, up to a bachelor's, and cannot be used
by Guardsmen who have previously been awarded a bachelor's degree. The cost of
a Guardsman's mandatory fees charged by an institution of higher education that
the soldier or airman is attending may be paid for with available funds
allocated by the Division of Higher Education for the tuition-free program.
Payment of mandatory fees, if any, will not exceed actual cost of mandatory
fees.
1-3.
Policy In
an effort to improve necessary strength and readiness levels in the Arkansas
National Guard, the NGTW is authorized under state law as a benefit for
qualifying Guardsmen and is based on eligibility criteria detailed in Act 471,
as amended by Act 535, this regulation, and by the Arkansas Division of Higher
Education (ADHE).
1-4.
Responsibilities
a. ADHE is
responsiblefor:
(1) Coordinating with the
Arkansas National Guard regarding regulation changes or
modifications.
(2) Administering
receipt and disbursement of funds to the institutions and maintaining fiscal
records of the NGTW
(3) Approving
or denying applications and submitting results to the Arkansas National Guard
Education Services Office (ESO). the institution, and the Guardsman.
b. The Institution of Higher
Education is responsible for:
(1) The
Institution's NGTW Representative will serve as the liaison between the
respective institution, the ESO, and ADHE.
(2) Verifying the Guardsman is considered by
the institution to be in "Good Standing," is enrolled in a program of study
that leads to an undergraduate degree, does npt already possess a bachelor's
degree, has submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and
the Arkansas YOUniversal Financial Aid Application.
(3) Providing to ADHE all hours and dollars
waived at the conclusion of each semester.
(4) Informing ADHE if the Guardsman's
academic status changes.
(5)
Defining "mandatory fees."
(6)
Determining the amount of funds available and the allocation method to pay
mandatory fees,
c. The
Adjutant General (TAG) is responsible for:
(1)
Coordinating with the ADHE in promulgating rules for the implementation of the
NGTW, including without limitation rules for the eligibility of
Guardsmen.
(2) Making final
decision regarding recoupment of all benefits paid on the Guardsman's behalf
for reasons including, but not limited to absence without leave (AWOL),
substance abuse violations, or any other serious misconduct (see Paragraph
3-6).
d. The Arkansas
Army National Guard Education Services Office (ESO) is responsiblefor:
(1) Coordinating policy changes with the
ADHE.
(2) Monitoring and verifying
eligibility status of participating Guardsmen for the Arkansas Army National
Guard.
(3) Maintaining
records/database and serving as point-of-contact for verification and
discrepancies for institutions and ADH E.
(4) Coordinating with ADHE, the institution,
and the Guardsman to resolve any Exception to Policy (ETP) requests or
grievances.
(5) Educating Guardsmen
on the process established by ADHE regarding mandatory fees.
e. The Arkansas Air National Guard
Representative(s) is responsible for:
(1)
Working directly with the ESO in executing and administering NGTW for the Air
National Guard.
(2) Maintaining
records/database and serving as point-of-contact for verification and
discrepancies for institutions and ADHE.
f. The Guardsman is responsible for:
(1) Meeting and maintaining eligibility
criteria (see Cliapter 2) and submitting application to the ESO before the
deadline date each semester.
(2)
Maintaining eligibility criteria established by the institution in which they
are enrolled, the Arkansas National Guard, and ADHE, and otherwise successfully
complete the semester and all hours for which the tuition waiver is
awarded.
(3) If denied for the
NGTW, the Guardsman may request an ETP through the ESO if they feel they have
extenuating circumstances which were beyond their control or unavoidable. The
ETP must be requested within 30 days of denial.
(4) Remaining in "Good Standing" with the
institution in which they attend, as defined by that institution.
Chapter 2 Eligibility
2-1.
Eligibility Criteria
a. The NGTW
is available to all Guardsmen cun-enlly serving in the Arkansas National Guard
and considered at the time of application to meet all eligibility
criteria.
b. Guardsman must be an
Arkansas Resident.
c. Guardsman
must have completed Initial Active Duty Training (basic training or credit for
a basic course through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps ROTC).
d. Guardsman must not currently hold a
bachelor or higher degree.
e.
Guardsman must be accepted and enrolled in an undergraduate degree producing
program at an Arkansas public institution of higher education.
f. Guardsman must have completed the FAFSA,
the Arkansas YOUniversal Financial Aid Application, and applied for grants and
scholarships with the institution in which they areenrolled.
g. Guardsman must be in "Good Standing" with
their enrolled institution, as defined by that institution.
h. Guardsmen must remain in "Good Standing"
with the ARNG.
2-2.
Arkansas Army National Guard Criteria
a. Guardsmen must be considered to be in
"Good Standing" at the time of application.
b. The ESO will verify eligibility criteria
for all Army Guardsmen.
c.
Guardsmen currently under Suspension of Favorable Action for, but not limited
to, AWOLs, substance abuse violations, or any other serious misconduct at the
time of application are not eligible for the NGTW.
2-3.
Arkansas Air National Guard
Criteria
a. Guardsmen must be
considered to be in "Good Standing" at the time of application.
b. The Air National Guard Representative will
verify eligibility criteria for each Air Guardsman through their Unit
Commander.
c. Guardsmen currently
under Suspension of Favorable Action for, but not limited to, AWOLs, substance
abuse violations, or any other serious misconduct at the time of application
are not eligible for the NGTW.
Chapter 3 Administration
3-1.
Application Process
a. Guardsmen wanting to participate will
obtain the application and Statement of Understanding through the Arkansas
National Guard Education website.
b. Applications for Army Guardsmen will be
routed to the ESQ for verification of eligibility as listed in Paragraph 2-2
above.
c. Applications for Air
Guardsmen will be routed to the Air National Guard Representative for
verification of eligibility as listed In Paragraph 2-3 above.
d. Once verified and approved, applications
are submitted to the Institutions of higher education.
3-2.
Submission Deadlines
a. Applications must be submitted for each
semester in which the Guardsman wishes to receive, theNGTW.
b. The NGTW may be applied for alt semester
and intersession courses.
c.
Applications may be submitted up to 60 days prior to the start of the course,
but must be submitted NO UVTER THAN 30 days after the start of the
course.
d. Applications received
after the deadline date may not be awarded and therefore the Guardsman would be
responsible for paying tuition to the institution. An ETP can be requested
through the ESQ in writing.
3-3.
Authorized Uses
a. The NGTW will only be awarded for programs
leading to an undergraduate degree.
b. Eligible Guardsman may use the NGTW for a
maximum of 120 semester credit hours or until completion of a bachelor's
degree.
c. The NGTW will only cover
tuition and, subject to the availability of funds, mandatory fees. The
Guardsman is responsible for all other costs, such as mandatory fees not
covered by the NGTW, additional fees, room and board, textbooks, etc.
d. The NGTW will not be applied to courses
completed in a prior semester.
e.
Guardsmen enrolled in high school and college concurrently are not eligible for
the tuition waiver.
f. The NGTW
will not be awarded for programs of study in which the courses are taken
exclusively online.
3-4.
Continuation of Eligibility
a.
In the event a mobilization or deployment interrupts the enrollment of a
Guardsman currently receiving the NGTW the Guardsman will remain
eligible for a period of time equal to the semester in which they were
enrolled. It is the Guardsman's responsibility to notify the institution, via
copies of orders, of mobilization or deployment.
b. In the event of a non-medical discharge or
a medical discharge that is not caused by an illness or injury related to the
performance of duties for the Arkansas National Guard, the Guardsman is
eligible to receive the NGTW for the semester in which they are enrolled at the
date of discharge.
c. In the event
of a medical discharge or medical retirement as a result of illness or injury
incurred in the line of duty, as the result of a state or federal activation or
a terrorist action as determined by the Governor, the Guardsman is eligible to
receive the NGTW from the date of discharge or retirement and either until
completion of the degree program in which the Guardsman is enrolled or for five
years, whichever comes first.
d. To
maintain eligibility, a Guardsman must not drop more than 6 credit hours during
a course of study; however, this does not include dropping classes before the
add/drop date. A course of study is defined as the time during which a student
is continuously enrolled in pursuit of a credential.
3-5.
Termination
a. If a Guardsman is dismissed from any
institution of higher education for academic or disciplinary reasons, or drops
a course after the drop/add date, the Guardsman may be ineligible for the NGTW
and may be responsible for paying the institution directly for the semester in
which the benefit was received.
b.
If a Guardsman's service in the Arkansas National Guard is terminated, or
becomes unsatisfactory, the Guardsman will be ineligible for the NGTW and
subject to recoupment for the semester in which the Guardsman became
ineligible.
3-6.Recoupment
a.
Recoupment of NGTW is required from Guardsmen for the following reasons:
(1) Fraud or misrepresentation of the
application.
(2) Failure on the
part of the Guardsman to complete the semester for which the benefit was
awarded.
(3) Failure to maintain
eligibility status with the Arkansas National Guard for the entire semester in
which the NGTW was awarded.
b. Recoupment may be collected by the
respective institution in which the Guardsman is enrolled or by the ADHE if
funds were already paid on the Guardsman's behalf,
c. The Adjutant General may initiate
recoupment of ALL funds paid on a Guardsman's behalf using the NGTW when the
Guardsman engages in misconduct or fails to remain a satisfactory participant
in active drilling status with the Arkansas National Guard (as defined in
Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 of AR 135-178 and AFI is 36-3208 and 3209) that
governs misconduct. Any funds recouped will be returned to the State of
Arkansas.
3-7.
Exception to Policy
a. In the
event a Guardsman is denied for the NGTW, has benefits terminated, or is
ordered to repay benefits pursuant to the provisions of this regulation, the
Guardsman may appeal any such action to the ESQ, in writing, within 60 days
from the date of termination/recoupment or denial. The ESO will coordinate with
the institution and the ADHE to resolve the ETP.
b. Exceptions to Policy may be requested by
Guardsmen, in writing, to the ESO. In order for the ETP to be considered they
must include, at a minimum, ttie following information:
(1) Name of Guardsman and unit/wing of
assignment
(2) Institution of
higher education name and location
(3) Semester year/month in question
(4) Reason for request that indicates that
the situation was not due to the negligence or fault of the Guardsman and was
not within the Guardsman's reasonable control.
3-8.
Duplicate Sources of
Funding
a. Other sources of funding may
be used in addition to the NGTW.
b.
Federal and state grants and scholarships awarded to Guardsmen via FAFSA and
YOUniversal applications will be applied to tuition before the NGTW is
applied
c. Grants and scholarships
awarded by the institution in which the Guardsman is enrolled will be applied
toward tuition before NGTW isapplied.
d. Guardsmen may, but are not required to,
use the NGTW simultaneously with the Montgomery Gl Bill (all Chapters) and the
Kicker. The NGTW will be applied to tuition before MGIB funds are
applied.
e. Guardsmen may, but are
not required to use Federal Tuition Assistance with the NGTW.
APPENDIX A Accredited Institutions of Higher Education
* Current list of institutions of highier education can be found at http://www.adhe,edu//iocations
APPENDIX B
Definitions/Acronyms
ADHE - Arkansas Division of Higlier Education
ARNG - Arkansas National Guard
AWOL- Absent Without Leave
Course of Study- the time during which a student is continuously enrolled in pursuit of credential.
ESO- Education Services Office
ETP- Exception to Policy
FAFSA- Free Application for Student Aid
Guardsman/Guardsmen- active member of Arkansas Army or Air National Guard
Initial Active Duty Training- completion of basic training or credit for a basic course through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
Institution of Higher Education- any state-supported institution
MGIB- Montgomery Gl Bill
NGTW- Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver
TAG- The Adjutant General
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