Does the Air National Guard have a student loan repayment program? National Student Loan Program

The small answer: It depends. Are you a non-prior service applicant? Or do you have military experience? The answer to your question can depend on the answer to mine – as well as a couple other factors. First things first. The Air National Guard is funded by the individual STATES (not the feds). The same is right for the Army National Guard. If you hear “guard” reckon “state”. The reserves are funded by the FEDS. There is a reason this honor is vital. Although I believe that air national guards of all states offer incentives of some kind, just what they offer and “how much?” depends on the legislatures of the respective states. Some states may offer enlistment bonuses others may offer student loan repayment (up to a certain amount) and others may offer tuition help. Some states may offer all three, whereas others may offer a combination of them, and some may even tie them to enlisting in certain career fields. Typically, the best incentives are offered for the jobs that are traditionally hard to fill. Another thing to consider: although these ‘perks’ are used as an enlistment tool and may even be written into your contracts, there is usually something in the ‘fine print’ that says these programs are subject to funding by the congress. Since most states are “broke” that is one of the first things the states have not funded – the learning benefits for individuals in the guard. For example: I know several people that were in the Hawaii Air National guard. When they first joined (and signed up for a 6 year enlistment, which is the standard enlistment), the state had student loan repayment and tuition help. Tuition help was offered at 100% based on resident tuition at the University of Hawaii up to a certain amount per semester – on a first come, first serve basis – which meant apply early. If you took classes the fall semester (the beginning of the fiscal year), you had a excellent chance of getting it. If you waited until the spring semester – the unit was out of money and you were SOL – because it was subject to funding. Loan repayment was capped at only 10 grand over 6 years, also subject to funding… 2 years ago the tuition help was dropped to 50%, this past year, it wasn’t funded at all. New recruits – non-prior service – they were usually protected because those funds were reimbursed by the federal government. Excellent if you were new, but not so excellent if you wanted to reenlist, Another fact of life: a lot of states don’t offer incentives to join the guard anymore. Why? supply and demand. recruiting is GOOD. they don’t have to offer incentives to get recruits because the economy is so terrible, they will get someone to walk in the door willing to join just to get a job. so the only way you can get your answer, is to talk to an air national guard recruiter near you. if you are within driving distance of several different state’s, go talk to them too. the ‘deal’ can be much better a couple of hours further down the road. best option right now: Active Army. up to $ 65,000 of student loans repaid over 3 years, 100% tuition help taking classes in your off-duty time, post 9-11 GI Bill. Talk to a recruiter, and excellent luck!