Soldiers and Airmen in the Minnesota National Guard may be eligible for state education benefits.

Eligibility:

• You must be a member of the MN National Guard.
• You become eligible upon the day you enlist.
• Payments cannot be distributed until completion of Basic Training.
• Enlisted must remain in the Minnesota National Guard during term of courses.

• E1 to O5, including Warrant Officers are eligible for State Tuition Reimbursement. The lifetime maximum State Tuition Reimbursement benefit is 208 quarter or 144 Semester credits.

• State Tuition Reimbursement has been extended to service members who have satisfactorily completed their service contract in the Minnesota National Guard who served honorably in federal active service or federally funded state active service since September 11, 2001.
• Eligibility is extended for a period of two years, plus the amount of time equal to the duration of that person's active service.
• State Tuition Reimbursement has been extended to service members who have been separated or discharged from that organization due to a service-connected injury, disease, or disability.

• Eligibility period is extended for eight years beyond the date of separation.

Rate:  
The maximum reimbursement rate is 100% of the undergraduate rate of the University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities Campus: $326.92 per credit with a maximum of $4250.00 per term for school year 2008-2009.

Reimbursement Application Procedures
To apply for State Tuition Reimbursement you MUST contact your unit full-time representative to obligate funds as soon as you know you will be going to school. Information needed will be the Name of the school, approximate start date and number of credits to be taken. STR Packet.

To apply for the Extended State Tuition Reimbursement, contact our office and we will assist you. Here is an informational packet you can also download STR Extended Packet.

How do I get reimbursed?
To receive your reimbursement check once the term has been completed, you MUST submit your grade(s) and tuition/fee statement within 60 days to your unit full-time representative to request reimbursement. You should receive your reimbursement check within 30 days.  If you fail to obligate funds you may be required to wait until 30 June to receive reimbursement.

Questions?   E-mail education@mn.ngb.army.mil

The Minnesota GI Bill program provides postsecondary educational assistance to eligible Minnesota veterans, and to the children and spouses of deceased or severely disabled Minnesota Veterans. Eligibility requirements include but are not limited to:

• a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in a branch or unit of the United States Armed Forces at any time on or after September 11, 2001;
  
  
• a non-veteran who has served honorably for a total of 5 years or more cumulatively as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September 11, 2001;
  
  
• the surviving spouse or child of a person who served in the military at any time on or after September 11, 2001, and died as a direct result of that military service;
  
  
• the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time on or after September 11, 2001, and has a total and permanent service connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans Administration;
  
  
• Student must be a Minnesota resident;
  
  
• Service member had to have been a Minnesota resident within six months of the time the person's initial enlistment or any reenlistment in the United States Armed Forces.
  
  Financial Assistance:
  
  The Minnesota GI Bill program is awarded after existing or expected federal military benefits or other need-based grant programs offer by the state or federal government. The Minnesota GI Bill program benefits are available for undergraduate and graduate studies that lead to a certificate, diploma, or degree. The total educational assistance for any eligible person who is a full-time student must not exceed the following:
  
  
• $1,000 per semester or term of enrollment;
  
• $2,000 per state fiscal year; and
  
• $10,000 in a life-time.

The total educational assistance for an eligible part-time student must not exceed $500 per semester or term of enrollment. A part-time undergraduate student is a student taking fewer than 12 credits for a semester or term. A part-time graduate student is a student considered part-time by the eligible institution the graduate student is attending. Educational benefits will apply to coursework taken on or after July 1, 2007.

For Questions or Additional Information:

Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 800-657-3866

A one-page online application for the Minnesota GI Bill is available at www.ohe.state.mn.us/military.

Undergraduate students wishing to use the Minnesota GI Bill, must first apply for state and federal aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by contacting the financial aid office at their school. View this information and more on the MN Office of Higher Education.