Benefits
1/2 DAY DRILL PAY SCALE
DRILL WEEKEND PAY SCALE
ACTIVE TRAINING PAY SCALE
MONTGOMERY GI BILL & GI BILL KICKER
GI Bill Kicker – pays up to $12,600
The GI Bill kicker is available to all personnel in selected career fields that commit to a six year enlistment.
GI Bill – pays up to $11,124
The GI Bill kicker is available to personnel in all career fields with that commit to a six year enlistment.
What is the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)?
Congress enacted Public Law 98-525 to provide Chapter 106 (later changed and now know as Chapter 1606), educational assistance benefits to encourage recruiting and retention in the Selected Reserve of the Armed Forces (e.g., Air National Guard). The Montgomery GI Bill program will help defray the cost of books, fees, or any expenses related to school.
How much educational assistance will you get from the MGIB?
Payment is made directly to the student for a maximum of 36 months (Four academic years) from the Veteran’s Administration (VA). Total benefit to member can’t exceed 36 full months (36 x $297 = $10,692) in the Chap 1606 program or a total of 48 months in a combination of any two VA educational assistance programs.
|
Basic |
Kicker |
Total |
Full-time student |
$309.00 |
$350.00 |
$647.00 |
Three-quarter time student |
$231.00 |
$262.50 |
$485.25 |
Half time student |
$153.00 |
$175.00 |
$323.50 |
Less than half time |
$77.25 |
$87.50 |
$161.75 |
What are the eligibility requirements for Chapter 1606?
- Individual who, on or after 1 Jul 85, enlist, reenlist or extend an enlistment in the Selected Reserve for a period of not less than six years, or in the case if officers, agree to serve in the Selected Reserve for 6-years beyond any existing Selected Reserve service obligation.
- Enlisted members must complete Initial Active Duty for Training and receive a "3" skill level prior to being eligible to receive benefits.
- Serve in a drilling Selected Reserve unit and remain in good standing. Member's entitlement is forfeited when he/she ceases to participate in the Selected Reserve.
- Individuals must complete the requirements for award of a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT or in the case of an individual re-enlisting or extending an enlistment, complete this educational requirement before such re-enlistment or extension.
Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) - PAYS UP TO $20,000
- Annual loan payment of 15% of the outstanding balance or $500 per loan including interest, whichever is greater, up to $3,500 per member each year. Interest will not be calculated or paid as a separate amount in addition.
- Loans must be backed by the Higher Education Act of 1965, in the member’s name, and a year old on the anniversary date to qualify for repayment. (e.g. Stafford, Ford Federal Direct, and Perkins loans)
- Repayment of any loan shall not exceed the amount needed to liquidate a loan and no one individual may ever exceed the $20,000 maximum for this program.
- Loans must be in good standing (i.e. deferred, payments being made)
- Initial payment will not be made until satisfactory completion of BMT, Technical School (3-level) and OJT (if required) or minimum required 3-skill level qualification training. Also member must have completed one year of satisfactory service.
NATIONAL GUARD EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Pays up to the in-state tuition cost per academic year to members of the VTANG who attend a private/public college/university/regional technical center, within the State of Vermont, in a full-time (12 or more credits) status over two semesters. The institution will be verified for program qualification by VSAC, using the state policy as defined by the Vermont State Colleges and the University of Vermont in conjunction with the Montgomery GI Bill and other Federal and/or State educational assistance programs.
To be eligible all applicants must:
- Be or become an active member in good standing (as determined by their branch) of the Vermont Air National Guard having completed BMT or a commissioning program
- Apply for Montgomery GI Bill
- Apply for financial aid through the College/University
- Not have an awarded baccalaureate or higher degree
- Must complete the course with a grade of at least “2.5/C+ for transfer to CCAF
- Agree to the terms of the College/University deferred payment program, including recoupment
- Be enrolled in a program that leads to a post secondary degree, diploma, or be studying for relevant continuing education purposes
Academic year awards may be:
- Up to the in-state tuitions costs for full-time study (12+ credits) for two semesters (instate tuition costs at Lyndon, Castleton and Johnson State Colleges)
- Up to the in-state tuition costs per credit (based on a per credit hour fee not to exceed the per credit hour fee of the school the member is attending and/or the VSC tuition costs, whichever is less) for status less than full-time for two semesters (for courses at CCV, UVM, VTC and others)
SAINT MICHAEL’S HOWARD R. BUXTON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FACTS:
- St. Michael’s provides 96 credit hours per semester to Vermont National Guard members. Both Air and Army Guard members can apply for these credits
- The prerequisite for application is that Guard members must be in good standing with the Vermont National Guard
- One full-time (16 credits) scholarship is awarded per semester; the remaining credits are awarded to part-time students. Guard members may apply for graduate-level scholarships, although priority is focused on undergraduate-level study
- Applying for the scholarship is easy. Members must complete the electronic application, obtain a letter of recommendation from their unit commander, and write a letter explaining why they feel they should receive the scholarship
- The application deadlines must be met
CATEGORY I
- One, one year scholarship equal to 16 credits per semester (only one scholarship from the Air and one from the Army is awarded each year, unless there is an excess of credit hours remaining)
CATEGORY II
- Must be an officer candidate who is working to meet their education requirements. Only one course is awarded to each chosen recipient (unless there is an excess of credit hours remaining)
CATEGORY III
- Any member of the VT Guard whom wished to pursue an Associate Degree. Only one course is awarded to each chosen recipient (unless there is an excess of credit hours remaining)
CATEGORY IV
- Must be seeking to improve education level. Must be enrolled in a Bachelor's Degree Program. Only one course is awarded to each chosen recipient. CATEGORY V
- Must possess Bachelor's Degree. Graduate courses will be awarded only if there is a surplus of courses not used in other categories.
VT National Guard Alliance With Champlain College Tuition Discount
1. Champlain College is continuing an alliance with the Vermont National Guard with the focus on providing military members a more attractive opportunity to attend their school. They have options, which make it easier for you to balance family, work, military, and other commitments.
2. As a member of the VTNG, you will receive a 25% reduction in your tuition costs at Champlain College, as long as you are enrolled for less than 12 credit hours per semester as a continuing education student at the college. Couple this with Montgomery GI Bill benefits and the cost of enhancing your education drops dramatically.
3. You must present the verification (Statement of Understanding) from the Base Training Office to Champlain College officials when you register for classes either by mail or fax. You will need to request the initiation of this form at the Base Training Office; it will be completed and certified only on your request.
4. This was a one-year program that was renewed concurrent with usage by VTNG members. Under this program you may enroll in Spring, Summer, and Fall courses. You may also enroll in online courses by reviewing the information on the Internet at the following address: www.champlain.edu/coce. Information regarding sessions is available by contacting the Continuing Education division at St. Michael’s College (802) 860-2777.
CLEP, DANTES, AND EXCELSIOR TESTING
What is the CLEP Program?
The CLEP Program consists of a series of examinations that test college-level knowledge you may have gained through military classes or technical assignments, or through your own reading, travel and intellectual curiosity. With CLEP you can earn the same college credits you would get by actually attending college classes.
What is the DANTES Program?
The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) provides a variety of examination programs through which an individual may:
- Earn a high school credential
- Satisfy undergraduate and graduate level college admission requirements
- Earn college credit or
- Gain professional certification
What is the excelsior Program?
The Excelsior College Examination (ECE) Program provides upper- and lower-level credit exams that award undergraduate credit, accepted by Excelsior College and nearly 900 other colleges and universities worldwide.
What can these tests do for you?
SAVE TIME AND $$$! That’s what these tests can do for you. The bottom line is -- the tests will measure your knowledge, without regard to how you’ve attained it. They offer credit, advanced placement, and/or exemption from course requirements.
CCAF and most civilian colleges accept a maximum of 30 semester hours of CLEP/DANTES/Excelsior testing; you should see your college advisor to confirm the minimum acceptable test score (usually “50”), as this may differ at a particular college. As a member of the Vermont Air National Guard, you and your spouse can take these tests at the VTANG -- for free!
CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FOR AIR FORCE/ AIR GUARD PERSONNEL
Exams/AFIADL options for CCAF Computer Science, Leadership, Management, Military Studies and General Education Requirements
Examinations and AFIADL courses are available free to Air Force personnel through the CCAF advisement locations. CCAF applies up to 30 semester hours of examination credit toward AAS degree requirements.
Examination availability and semester hour values are subject to change. Credit must be program-applicable, meet CCAF minimum score requirements and not duplicate previously applied credit.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF THE AIR FORCE (CCAF)
The United States requires well-trained, educated, professional noncommissioned officers to be prepared and to meet current and future leadership, managerial, and technological challenges of an increasingly sophisticated and complex Air Force. We believe the enlisted members of the Air Force are entitled to personal and professional growth through collegiate programs beneficial to the Air Force and the nation; hence, the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) was established as a means of gaining accreditation and recognition for Air Force training. We offer and award job-related Associate in Applied Science degrees and other academic credentials that enhance mission readiness, contribute to recruiting, assist in retention, and support the career transitions of Air Force enlisted members. Since awarding its first degree in 1977, CCAF has awarded more than 175,000 Associate degrees.
The mission of the VTANG’s Base Education and Training Office is to assist members in discovering and deciding upon the numerous educational opportunities available to military members, to include formal college courses, distance learning courses, examination programs, and self-study courses. Our goal is to ensure that every member sets educational goals and establishes a plan to obtain financial assistance to enroll in college courses that culminate in degree requirement completion.
All degrees require the following 64 credits:
- 24 Technical credits (from 3-, 5-, 7-level, FTD technical training courses)
- 15 Program Elective credits (any extraneous General Education course credits)
- 6 Leadership & Management (LMMS) credits
- 15 General Education credits in the following areas:
- Oral Communication
- Written Communication
- Social Science
- Humanities
- Mathematics
- 4 Physical Education (BMT) credits
