Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 131 - MILITARY DEPARTMENT › Rule 131.00.19-001 - Arkansas National Gaurd Tuition Waiver Program

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
Chapter 1
General
1-1.
Purpose
This rule
		  establishes policy, procedure, and eligibility requirements for administration
		  of the Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver Program (NGTW).
1-2.
Entitlements
The NGTW, as
		  established by Act 471, as amended by Act 535,located in Arkansas Code §
		  6- 60- 214, allows all eligible Guardsmen (see Chapter 2) to attend a
		  state-supported institution of higher education tuition-free. This benefit will
		  waive tuition for a maximum of 120 semester credit hours, The NGTW can only be
		  used to obtain an undergraduate degree, up to a bachelor's, and cannot be used
		  by Guardsmen who have previously been awarded a bachelor's degree. The cost of
		  a Guardsman's mandatory fees charged by an institution of higher education that
		  the soldier or airman is attending may be paid for with available funds
		  allocated by the Division of Higher Education for the tuition-free program.
		  Payment of mandatory fees, if any, will not exceed actual cost of mandatory
		  fees.
1-3.
Policy
In
		  an effort to improve necessary strength and readiness levels in the Arkansas
		  National Guard, the NGTW is authorized under state law as a benefit for
		  qualifying Guardsmen and is based on eligibility criteria detailed in Act 471,
		  as amended by Act 535, this regulation, and by the Arkansas Division of Higher
		  Education (ADHE).
1-4.
Responsibilities
a. ADHE is
		  responsiblefor:
(1) Coordinating with the
		  Arkansas National Guard regarding regulation changes or
		  modifications.
(2) Administering
		  receipt and disbursement of funds to the institutions and maintaining fiscal
		  records of the NGTW
(3) Approving
		  or denying applications and submitting results to the Arkansas National Guard
		  Education Services Office (ESO). the institution, and the Guardsman.
b. The Institution of Higher
		  Education is responsible for:
(1) The
		  Institution's NGTW Representative will serve as the liaison between the
		  respective institution, the ESO, and ADHE.
(2) Verifying the Guardsman is considered by
		  the institution to be in "Good Standing," is enrolled in a program of study
		  that leads to an undergraduate degree , does npt already possess a bachelor's
		  degree, has submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and
		  the Arkansas YOUniversal Financial Aid Application.
(3) Providing to ADHE all hours and dollars
		  waived at the conclusion of each semester.
(4) Informing ADHE if the Guardsman's
		  academic status changes.
(5)
		  Defining "mandatory fees."
(6)
		  Determining the amount of funds available and the allocation method to pay
		  mandatory fees,
c. The
		  Adjutant General (TAG) is responsible for:
(1)
		  Coordinating with the ADHE in promulgating rules for the implementation of the
		  NGTW, including without limitation rules for the eligibility of
		  Guardsmen.
(2) Making final
		  decision regarding recoupment of all benefits paid on the Guardsman's behalf
		  for reasons including, but not limited to absence without leave (AWOL),
		  substance abuse violations, or any other serious misconduct (see Paragraph
		  3-6).
d. The Arkansas
		  Army National Guard Education Services Office (ESO) is responsiblefor:
(1) Coordinating policy changes with the
		  ADHE.
(2) Monitoring and verifying
		  eligibility status of participating Guardsmen for the Arkansas Army National
		  Guard.
(3) Maintaining
		  records/database and serving as point-of-contact for verification and
		  discrepancies for institutions and ADH E.
(4) Coordinating with ADHE, the institution,
		  and the Guardsman to resolve any Exception to Policy (ETP) requests or
		  grievances.
(5) Educating Guardsmen
		  on the process established by ADHE regarding mandatory fees.
e. The Arkansas Air National Guard
		  Representative(s) is responsible for:
(1)
		  Working directly with the ESO in executing and administering NGTW for the Air
		  National Guard.
(2) Maintaining
		  records/database and serving as point-of-contact for verification and
		  discrepancies for institutions and ADHE.
f. The Guardsman is responsible for:
(1) Meeting and maintaining eligibility
		  criteria (see Cliapter 2) and submitting application to the ESO before the
		  deadline date each semester.
(2)
		  Maintaining eligibility criteria established by the institution in which they
		  are enrolled, the Arkansas National Guard, and ADHE, and otherwise successfully
		  complete the semester and all hours for which the tuition waiver is
		  awarded.
(3) If denied for the
		  NGTW, the Guardsman may request an ETP through the ESO if they feel they have
		  extenuating circumstances which were beyond their control or unavoidable. The
		  ETP must be requested within 30 days of denial.
(4) Remaining in "Good Standing" with the
		  institution in which they attend, as defined by that institution.