Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
Eligibility
FTA is only available for Mississippi Army National Guard (MSARNG) Service Members (SMs).
Benefits Overview
FTA is paid directly to the University on behalf of the Soldier. Pays Tuition Only.
FTA can be used in conjunction with State Education Assistance Program (SEAP) and GI Bill Benefits.
FTA will not pay for a duplicate or lower degree
Financial assistance to help Soldiers with off duty voluntary civilian educational pursuits.
100% of tuition cost up to $250 per semester hour ($167 per quarter hour, or $5.55 per clock hour)
Up to 18 semester hours ($4,500.00) per fiscal year
For FY-26, that covers courses with start dates between 1 Oct 2025 and 30 Sep 2026
Application Procedure
Establish ArmyIgnitED Account by going to https://www.armyignited.army.mil/student and clicking “Get Started” (CAC ID required)
Request an Education Goal (select your school and degree program)
Submit Evaluated Degree Plan when requesting Education Goal Note: If an Evaluated Degree Plan is not submitted when requesting an Education Goal, a HOLD will be placed on account after completing two courses.
Enroll in Courses at your School.
Return to ArmyIgnitED and Request TA for the Courses you want to use TA for.
Note: TA Requests may be submitted up to 60 days prior but NLT 14 days prior to a Course Start Date to ensure TA Requests are processed and approved PRIOR to a Course Start Date. The system prevents the input of TARs 7 days prior to course start date.
Federal Tuition Astatine (FTA) Processing Guide
Grade Submission Requirement
Grades must be updated in the Academic Institute Portal at the end of the term.
If you fail a course funded through Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA), you are generally required to repay the tuition assistance funds that were provided for that course. Repayment policies are determined by your military branch and applicable regulations.
You will not be eligible to use your Federal Tuition Assistance benefits again until the required repayment for the failed course has been made. Once the outstanding balance has been satisfied and you meet all other eligibility requirements, you may be able to resume using FTA benefits.
Processing and Payment
The Business office invoices FTA for these funds. Fund arrive mid semester or later.
Contact
Education Services Specialist (NGB / MSARNG)
Phone: 601-927-9297
Email: david.f.jolly2.civ@army.mil
State Education Assistance Program (SEAP)
Eligible
SEAP is a general scholarship for Mississippi Army National Guard Service Members (MSNG SMs) attending accredited IHL within the State of MS for undergraduate studies and career and technical training.
Basic Training Graduate or joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
Registered voter in the State of Mississippi
Actively serving in good standing (not flagged) and serving through the end of the semester
Pursuing first undergraduate degree or vocational program at an approved MS institution. – Soldiers MUST maintain a 2.0 GPA to maintain eligibility.
Benefits Overview
Program is intended to pay tuition at a Mississippi institution to the fullest extent as allowed by appropriated funds.
SMs using Post 9/11 GI Bill may use SEAP, but are capped at half of the full-time rate per semester
Subject to availability of appropriations from the State Legislature
Student may apply for FTA and SEAP
MS Colleges / Universities: Pays up to $10,000 per State fiscal year (01 JUL through 30 JUN).
Full-time: $5,000 per semester.
Part-time: $2,500 per semester.
Application Procedure
SMs must submit their SEAP application form via the MSNG SEAP website (msngseap.education). SMs requesting SEAP for the first time must register for an account. Once account is approved, SMs can then login and submit their application.
SMs can submit applications, for the following semester, beginning on:
Spring: December 1 – February 1
Fall: July 1 – September 1
Summer: April 1 – June 30 (AS FUNDS ALLOW)
Processing and Payment
Funds are paid directly to the University, and arrive mid semester or later.
Contact Information
Email: ng.ms.msarng.mbx.education-office@army.mil
Office Numbers: 601-313-6300