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Publications
For Guard Soldiers
For ARNG ESOs/Recruiters
Education Calculator
Information Bulletins
For additional information:
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges
1307 New York Avenue, NW
Fifth Floor
Washington, DC 20005-4701
202-667-0079
800-368-5622
fax 202-667-0622
e-mail: socguard@aascu.org
Marcy Shapiro
SOCGuard Interim Project Director
Dan Riggle
SOCGuard Program Manager
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SOCGuard Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be able to go to college while I'm
in the Guard?
Can I get financial assistance for my studies
through the Guard?
Must I attend a SOC college to take advantage
of the Guard College Plan?
When do my education benefits begin?
Where do I go for help?
Will I be able to go
to college while I'm in the Guard?
Absolutely! Thousands of Guard members are successfully
pursuing college studies and/or full time jobs while earning
pay and benefits in the Guard. Your basic Guard duty commitment
is one weekend drill per month and two weeks during the summer.
You can go straight to college, full or part time, and complete
most of your military obligation by the time you graduate from
college.
Can I get financial
assistance for my studies through the Guard?
Yes. In addition to monthly drill pay and allowances,
the Guard offers a generous array of federal and state education
benefits to assist you in pursuing a college or vocational training
program. The G.I. Bill provides a monthly stipend over a 36-month
period. State benefits, which may vary by state, range from a
specific amount per semester to full tuition waivers at state
colleges and universities.
Must I attend a SOC
college to take advantage of the Guard College Plan?
No. You may attend any accredited college, university
or vocational/technical institution. However, you should consider
SOC member institutions because they are absolutely committed
to the needs of military servicemembers. With more than 1,800
member colleges nationwide, the chances are excellent the college
you may be thinking of attending is a SOC member. Some colleges
also sponsor courses for credit at selected National Guard armories
as a convenience for soldiers who cannot get to a campus classroom.
SOC member colleges designate a counselor to help Guard members
in their academic planning.
When do my education
benefits begin?
Some benefits begin as soon as you enlist in the Army
National Guard. This includes free SAT and GRE testing, CLEP
exams, and federal or ACES Tuition Assistance. You will be eligible
for GI Bill and ARNG GI Bill Kicker (the Guard supplement to
the GI Bill) upon completion of your initial active duty for
training or IADT.
Where do I go for
help?
You can call 1-800-GOGUARD to contact your local Army National
Guard for more information on available Guard opportunities and
for assistance in applying to a local college. Guard soldiers
should check with the Education Services Officer (ESO) in their
state. ESOs can help with GI Bill procedures and other educational
concerns. In addition, SOC has a toll-free number (1-800-368-5622)
for individuals should they need additional information or assistance.
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