As a member of the Indiana National Guard, you’ve earned your way to higher education, a bolder career and a brighter future. Whether you are just beginning your education journey, are approaching graduation or are somewhere in between, Education Services makes it easier for you to navigate your benefits so you don't have to do it alone. We are here to help you fund your future!
- Step 1: Request an Education Consultation
- Step 2: Download Your JST
- Step 3: Choose Your Major/School
- Step 4: Get Financial Assistance
Contact Education Services to request an Education Consultation.
Download your JST to find out how much college credit you may be eligible for from your military training and experience.
If you are prior Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps or Navy, or do not have access to a Common Access Card (CAC) reader, you will need to register for a JST account. Active Duty, Reserve and Veterans of the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy are eligible for JST Transcripts.
Choosing a field of study and school can be challenging, so try these free resources to help make your choice:
As part of your Education Consultation, the Education Services team will walk you through your financial resources options, including:
- Current Guardsmen – BSEP
- Current Guardsmen – Remote Tutoring
- Recruits Entering the Military – ASVAB Improvement
- Glossary
- One Soldier’s Story
The Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP) is a five-day, teacher-facilitated course attended while on paid duty status. Meals and lodging are provided for in-person classes, and the Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) is administered at the end of the course. The BSEP aims to help increase General Technical (GT) scores, improve retention, expand re-enlistment opportunities and enhance overall job performance.
Upcoming dates:
- November 18-22, 2024, In-person at Camp Atterbury
- December 16-20, 2024, In-person at Camp Atterbury
- January 20-24, 2025, Virtual training
Point of Contact: Email Phone: 317-417-3315
- The Indiana Army National Guard (INARNG) remote tutoring program provides an accessible and interactive platform for individuals looking to improve their Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) line scores.
- Flexible scheduling: Tutoring is available Monday through Friday from 0900 to 2100 (9 AM to 9 PM), allowing you to choose times that fit your schedule.
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. The ASVAB Improvement Program is available to assist you with your scores. Our tutors are available in-person or virtually to help you prepare to re-take the ASVAB test.
GT Score
Your General Technical (GT) score is a score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) or Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT), which measures your aptitude for learning. GT scores are based on performance in three areas: Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Arithmetic Reasoning, and are used to determine a person's eligibility for military jobs, rank and branch of service. Higher GT scores increase opportunities for different career paths in the armed forces.
ASVAB
Given to new recruits entering the military. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is used to identify qualified applicants who with to enter the military.
AFCT
Given to active-duty soldiers. The Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) is used by the military to identify individual aptitudes and areas of greatest career potential. The AFCT is a test of ability and an indication of academic readiness to pursue a particular career choice.
I improved my GT Score, and rewrote my future....
The Education Services Office offers Army tests that will help you advance your military career and turn your career experiences into college credits.
- Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB)
- Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)
- Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)
- Selection Instrument for Flight Training (SIFT)
- Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT or aka-ASVAB retake)
- Exam Proctoring
- ASVAB Tutoring
- Non-Army personnel: (317) 964-7023
The following testing is available through your local area school at no cost to Indiana National Guard members and their spouses:
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES or DSST)
NOTE: IVY tech Locations can be used for secondary test locations. Click here for information about IVY Tech testing services.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Actively participating service members with qualifying active duty, at least six years of service, and at least four years of service remaining may qualify to transfer some or all of their education benefits to their eligible dependents. Learn more by going to milconnect and clicking on Transfer My Education Benefits.
https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/
State Licensure Reimbursement
Spouses of Army National Guard soldiers who were reassigned from a duty station in one state to another state on or after December 12, 2017, and movement of the soldier’s dependents is authorized, qualify for up to $500 reimbursement in qualified relicensing costs with each reassignment. Applies only to Title 10/Title 32, Active Guard Reserve (AGR)/Active Duty. Inactive duty training (IDT) not authorized. Learn more at MilitaryOnesource:
https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/article/licensure-reimbursement-pcs-moves
Military Spouse Scholarships
My Career Advancement Account
The MyCAA Scholarship program helps military spouses pursue licenses, credentials or associates degrees with a specific concentration or major to pursue an occupation or career with transferable and portable skills. The program provides up to $2,000 per year (up to $4,000 lifetime cap). More information or apply at MilitaryOneSource:
https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa/
Free CLEP Exams
Spouses of Title 10 Soldiers may also be eligible for free College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams through MYCAA and DANTES. Soldiers must be on Title 10 active duty/active guard reserve (AGR) in the grades of E1 - E5, W1 - W2, or O1 - O2. Learn more at CLEP:
https://clep.collegeboard.org/register-for-an-exam/military-how-to-register-under-dantes
Tutor.com
Dependent children and spouses of military members are eligible to use Tutor.com. The program provides free online tutoring and homework help for all grade levels and subjects including college and professional subjects and is available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.
More than 2,300 colleges nationwide will convert your military experience into college credits. Converting your experience saves you time and money. Different colleges accept different credits.
Joint Service Transcript (JST)
The synchronized transcript is based on the SMART model and presents:
- Personal service member data
- Military course completions with descriptions
- Military experience
- College-level test scores
- Other learning experiences
- Summary page with course category codes
- Academic institution courses page
Accessing JST
If you are prior Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps or Navy, or do not have access to a Common Access Card (CAC) reader, you will need to register for a JST account. Active Duty, Reserve and Veterans of the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy are eligible for JST Transcripts.
Resume Writing
Use information on JST to help you write your job application and articulate your experience to potential employers.
Credentials can help advance your career goals by allowing you to choose a certification in an area that expands on your existing experience or an area of interest to help further new career opportunities. Credentialing Assistance (CA) pays tuition, fees, books, and exam costs for any credential listed on the Army COOL website. Soldiers may use up to $4,000 per fiscal year (max TA and CA). Credentialing Assistance is available on ArmyIgnitED. We encourage you to register your account today and find a credential that can help advance your career goals.
Browse the 1600+ credentialing options available to Army National Guard soldiers by visiting Army COOL - Credentialing Opportunities On-Line. There are so many exciting options to choose from, including private pilot licenses, personal trainer certificates, commercial drivers licenses, Lean Six Sigma, welding, airport fire and rescue technician, crane operator, radiology specialist and so much more. Once you have selected a credential, log on to ArmyIgnitED to submit your credentialing assistance request in just four easy steps.
The National Guard Extension Scholarship (NGES) is a limited scholarship that provides 100% of tuition and regularly assessed to former National Guard members who left the Guard under honorable discharge conditions, used the National Guard Supplement Grant in the past, and who served on active duty overseas since September 10, 2001. Students can attend either full time or part time. Learn more about NGES and how to get started:
What is it?
A Transfer of Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits is an incentive for continued service offered to service members who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
How do I qualify?
- Be serving currently in the Uniformed Services, with at least six years completed
- Qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at any payment tier
- NOT be flagged for adverse action, ACFT/ABCP failure, or as Unsatisfactory Participant
- Agree to a four-year service obligation from the date of your transfer request
- NOTE: IF YOU VOLUNTARILY SEPARATE FROM THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PRIOR TO COMPLETING YOUR OBLIGATION END DATE (OED), YOUR TRANSFER OF EDUCATION BENEFITS (TEB) WILL BE TERMINATED, AND ANY FUNDS PAID TO YOUR DEPENDENTS WILL BE RE-COUPED.
What do I get?
- Dependents receive same payment tier as the soldier
- Spouses may use transferred benefits immediately
Child/Children:
- Cannot use the benefit until transferring soldier has completed 10 years in the Armed Forces
- Can begin using the benefit on their 18th birthday or upon high school graduation, whichever comes first
- Eligibility ends on their 26th birthday unless an earlier date is specified
- Natural, stepchildren, adopted children and wards and foster children who have lived with the SM for 12 months are eligible
- You can modify and/or revoke months for any dependents you originally transferred month of benefits to – even after you separate from service
- IMPORTANT! You must be serving currently to add a new dependent
How to transfer:
- Go to: https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/
- Click the "Transfer My Education Benefits" tab
- Once logged in, you will be directed to your transfer page to make the election.
Education entitlements and incentives are among the greatest benefits to serving in the Indiana National Guard. The state of Indiana and federal government provide various types of tuition assistance programs to Guardsmen. Some programs also provide a housing, books and supplies stipend. Each program has different eligibility requirements. Nearly 60 percent of all jobs in the United States require a higher education. The prospects for employment, management opportunities and additional earnings significantly improve with job seekers who have earned a college degree.
Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) pays tuition costs up to $250 per semester hour, up to 16 semester hours, up to $4,000 per fiscal year (max TA and CA). FTA may be used to earn one degree at each of the following levels: Associates, Bachelor's and Master's.
- Federal Tuition Assistance - PDF
- Apply online at: ArmyIgnitEd
State Tuition Assistance (STA) is up to 100% tuition assistance; programs vary by state. To find out what is offered in Indiana, request an Education Consultation or visit https://nationalguard.com/indiana.
Government Financial Aid
- Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) - Contact the ROTC POC for your school or the Officer Strength Manager in your state
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Apply at: https://www.va.gov/education/
- Federal Student Aid - Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid
Grants
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants
Loans
- If you apply for financial aid, your school will likely include student loans as part of your financial aid package. Generally, there are two types of student loans—federal and private
- Federal student loans and federal parent loans: These loans are funded by the federal government
- Private student loans: These loans are nonfederal loans, made by a lender such as a bank, credit union, state agency, or a school
Work Study
- Available to students with financial need who are pursing undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees
- Available to full-time or part-time students
- Administered by schools participating in the Federal Work- Study Program. Check with your school’s financial aid office to find out if your school participates
- Education Programs and Services
- Education Support Programs
- College Planning and Assistance
- Federal Tuition Assistance
- Credentialing Assistance
- GI Bill Ch 1606
- GI Bill Kicker
- GI Bill Ch30
- GI Bill Ch33
- GI Bill Post-911 Transfer Education Benefits
- GI Bill Comparison Chart
- How to Apply for GI Bill Benefits
- Army Personnel Testing
- Joint Services Transcript
- DANTES Programs and Services
- Registered Apprenticeship
- College Scholarships
- Financial Aid and Grants
- Spouse Education Support
- State Tuition Assistance
- AFCT Survey Flyer
- NGSG Information Sheet
Download the following resources in PDF:
