Are you a resident of Oklahoma City and you’re looking for how you can afford college expenses without taking thousands of dollars out in loans? Are you looking for information on whether the National Guard pays for college? Well, if you’re finding answers to these questions, you’re reading the right post. This post analyzes the basic things you need to know about Oklahoma National Guard payment eligibility and policies. Let’s start with Does Oklahoma National Guard Pay For College?
In general, the National Guard, like other arms of the US military, offers financial support to help with college costs more than many other branches in the U.S. Military. About a few months ago, the Oklahoma Senate approves a bill that would help the residents to enroll in 18 hours per semester, which is subject to the availability of funding.
The amount of support for qualified residents pursuing an associate’s degree will be capped at 120 hours, while graduate’s programs will be reimbursed for up to 40 hours.
Ways the Oklahoma National Guard Can Help Pay for College
Many US citizens do seek after the National Guard because it allows you to go to school or work while serving the country part-time. The National Guard pay programs are wonderful because it covers tuition, housing, and graduate schools in some cases.
However, the Oklahoma National Guard payment policies include:
- College tuition assistance
- The Reserve Officer’s Training Corps
- The Montgomery GI Bill
- Post 9/11 GI Bill
- Army National Guard Kicker
College Tuition Assistance
College tuition assistance is the first way on the radar. The National Guard may be able to cover all your college tuition. This paid program depends on your choice of college but the National Guard will commit up to $18,000 for four years. When calculating based on annual commitment, that’ll make up to $4,000.
However, if you’re only having the challenge of the tuition fee with no other added expenses, this pay program can cover all your tuition provided your choice of college is not too expensive.
The Reserve Officer’s Training Corps
Despite that this is a scholarship program, members must earn the award. It provides financial assistance to its members to help them pay for education once they’ve earned it
The Montgomery GI Bill
After providing financial aid for tuition, the National Guard can go the extra mile to offer the Montgomery GI Bill to its member. This is a means of assisting its member by giving out a monthly allowance of up to $333 for general college expenses. For four years, it’s approximately $11,000.
The interesting part of this payment is that it is paid directly into your account, unlike the tuition assistance program that directly involves your school. Hence, you can use the money to purchase books, take courses relevant to your program, supplies, etc.
Post 9/11 GI Bill
This program does not come so easy, it requires you to be a member of the National Guard for at least 90 days. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is only available to those who have served the state for at least three months. As a result, if you’ve completed the requisite service time, the state statute allows you to receive up to 100 percent tuition.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill, unlike the Montgomery GI Bill, promotes advanced secondary education such as medical school and graduate schools. Furthermore, in some situations, this program provides a $1,000 annual stipend for books and supplies.
Army National Guard Kicker
The Army National Guard Kicker is devised to support the Montgomery GI Bill. The Army National Kicker, in this example, pays its troops up to $350 per month in living expenses. The program can run through 36 months and cover as much as $12,600.
However, you should be informed that this program requires members to fulfill some requirements before they can benefit from the program. These requirements include:
- Initial Active Duty For Training (IADT) must be completed by the Member. Oklahoma believes that it’s inappropriate to receive Kicker payments while on active duty. Therefore, you must complete your IADT before benefiting from this program.
- Member must be eligible for the Montgomery GI bill’s benefit. In a nutshell, this means that the member must have a high school graduation and be on the reserve list. How to Get the Oklahoma National Guard to Pay for College:
To apply for the Oklahoma National Guard program, you’re advised to consider the following steps:
- Contact the Oklahoma National Guard recruiter. This should be the first thing to think about. You should profess your desire to receive college tuition assistance during your time serving in the state military.
- Take an eligibility test. The eligibility test will let you know the job(s) available in the Guard that you qualify for.
- Enlist in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Your Basic Combat Training ship date, assignment, and salary should all be communicated to you.
- Complete basic training. You’ll be recognized as a full-service member after your BCT.
- Qualify and apply for college tuition assistance. After completing the requirements above and becoming a full-time member of the Guard, you may be eligible for Oklahoma college tuition help, depending on your credentials and the program itself.
Conclusion
Depending on your choice of college and the program you enlisted, it’s not an exaggeration that 100 percent of your tuition can be covered. Aside from providing financial aid for tuition, they also help to cover books and supplies expenses. Hence, as an Oklahoma resident, you should consider the Oklahoma National Guard program if you’d like to avoid student loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joining the Oklahoma National Guard Worth It?
Yes. Many consider being a member of the Oklahoma National Guard a great honor. As a member of the National Guard, you can tour around many countries without being an active-duty soldier. In addition, the experience and skills you’ll learn from the program can help you in the long run.
Does the Oklahoma National Guard Pay Online College?
When we talk of National Guard financial assistance for college, it encompasses all colleges including online colleges. So, yes, the Oklahoma National Guard provides tuition assistance for all its members, as well as courses completed through distance learning programs.
Can Oklahoma National Guard Pay Out of State Tuition?
Yes, because the National Guard is not considered active-duty military. So, if you’re an out-of-state student for tuition, your classification will remain unchanged upon joining the National Guard.