Tuition assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
Tuition Assistance – A General Overview: All tuition assistance is a benefit, not an entitlement, and works
on a first come, first serve basis. Although funding shortages are rare they can occur.  Therefore, it is very
important that you apply for Tuition Assistance as soon as possible.  As soon as the school will allow you to
register for classes you should immediately register and apply for your tuition assistance.  The rules state that a
request for tuition assistance must be received at the state education office Not Later Than the last day of late
registration for the semester in which it will be used.  If you wait until just before the start of the semester to submit
your tuition assistance request you may still qualify for tuition assistance but it is unlikely that it will be processed
and an award letter sent to the school before tuition payments must be made.  Only when the university cashiers
office receives the tuition assistance award letter from the state education office will the university consider your
tuition payment to be guaranteed.   ALWAYS APPLY FOR BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL TUITION ASSISTANCE.  
Failure to apply for both can result in late or possibly no tuition assistance payment.  Depending on the availability
of funds, the State Education Office will approve the appropriate tuition assistance request. If all of your tuition is
paid out of one fund, you will receive an approval letter for one and a denial letter for the other.  Click here to
view a sample TA status letter.   As you can see on the sample letter this person was denied State Tuition
Assistance because his or her tuition will be completely covered by the Federal Tuition Assistance Program, and
no further assistance is required on the individuals part.   


How much money does the Tuition Assistance Program Pay?
The State Tuition Assistance Program will pay 100% with a maximum of $5,396.00 per fiscal year for
undergraduate studies and a maximum $6,692.00 per fiscal year for graduate studies.  The fiscal year runs from 1
July to 30 June of each year.  Required fees can also be paid from the maximum allowed amount.

The Federal Tuition Assistance Program will pay 100% with a maximum of $4,500 per fiscal year.  The fiscal year
runs from 1 October to 30 September of each year.  The Federal Tuition Assistance Program will also pay up to
$500 per year from the total authorized amount for required fees.  Required fees are considered fees that are
required of every student.

State and Federal Tuition Assistance can be used together not to exceed 100% of tuition cost.  All funds are paid
directly to the university.  


What if I’ve already paid for my tuition for this semester, will the National Guard reimburse me?
If you have already paid for your tuition and you apply for State / Federal Tuition Assistance before the deadline,
the cost of your tuition and fees will be paid to the university.  You can then request that the university reimburse
you.  You can contact the ECU Third Party Billing Office, Room 135-G in the Old Cafeteria Complex and they can
advise you more on this matter.  The National Guard will not pay tuition assistance money directly to a student.  


How long will it take to process my Tuition Assistance Request?
The State Tuition Assistance Request will usually be processed and a award letter sent to the university within 4 to
6 weeks.  Federal Tuition Assistance may take up to 6 weeks or longer to be processed and a award letter sent to
the university.  The federal tuition assistance takes longer to process.  State and federal budgeting issues can
also cause unexpected delays in processing.  Always submit your state and federal tuition assistance request as
early as possible.


How do I apply for State Tuition Assistance?
The NC State Tuition Assistance form (NC TAP), OTAGNC Form 621-100, can be obtained from your unit,
Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) Coordinator, or the Library page on this site.  If you drill with the
Williamston Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP), you can get it from SFC Smith, the NGSA Advisor.  Students are
to fill out Section I of the Form.  Section II, will be completed by your unit or RSP Coordinator.   If you are in the
Williamston RSP unit it can be signed by SFC Smith, the NGSA Advisor located in 344-A Rawl Building.  Keep this
in mind as you start the application process.  Section III, will be filled out by ECU 3rd Party Billing in room 135-G at
the Cashier’s Office.  (Old Cafeteria Complex)  Be sure to make a copy of the form for your own records and mail
to the address on the second page of the form.  (NC Army National Guard, ATTN: AGESO, 4105 Reedy Creek
Road, Raleigh, NC 27607-6410)  Although not required, it is recommended that you send this Certified Mail with
Return Receipt so you receive notification by mail when your form is delivered.  By doing so, you will have proof
that your request was submitted and received.  Visit the Library page to view a State Tuition Assistance flow
chart.  (Effective July 2008 the State Education Office will accept faxed and email copies of the State TA request.)


How do I apply for Federal Tuition Assistance?
Prior to applying for Federal Tuition Assistance, be sure you have registered for classes.  Please note that the
website will only allow you to apply for Federal Tuition Assistance within 90 days of the start date of your courses.  
You will need to have available a copy of you class schedule along with the cost of your tuition and fees.  The
quickest way to obtain this information is through ECU's Banner Program via ECU Onestop ( www.onestop.ecu.
edu) and log on with your school ID.   Visit the Library page to view a Federal Tuition Assistance flow chart.  Then
follow the steps below:

1. Go online to https://minuteman.ngb.army.mil/Benefits/Unsecured/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fben.  Log
in using your AKO ID and password.  This will be the first part of your AKO address.  You must have a working
AKO account to apply for Federal Tuition Assistance.

2.  Click on link below to download step by step instructions on how to complete your Federal Tuition Assistance.

Click Here for Federal Tuition Assistance Instructions


Who Signs My NC State Tuition Assistance Form?
Your unit or Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) Coordinator must sign section II of the OTAGNC Form 621-
100 (NC TAP) NC State Tuition Assistance form certifying that you are a unit member in good standing. If you are
in the Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) in Williamston, NC, SFC Smith the NGSA Advisor can sign Section II of
the NC State Tuition Assistance form as the unit representative.  ECU Third Party Billing, room 135-G, located in
the Cashier’s Office (the Old Cafeteria Complex) will fill out Section III of the OTAGNC Form 621-100.  Be sure to
make a copy of the form for your own records and mail the original to the address on the second page of the
form.  (NC Army National Guard, ATTN: AGESO, 4105 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh, NC 27607-6410)  Although
not required, it is recommended that you send this Certified Mail with Return Receipt so you receive notification by
mail when your form is delivered.  By doing so, you will have proof that your request was submitted and received.


Can I apply for tuition assistance if I have not registered for classes?
If this is your first semester at East Carolina University, you can apply for your state tuition assistance as long as
you have been accepted at ECU.  You will need to visit ECU Third Party Billing, room 135-G, located in the Cashier’
s Office (the Old Cafeteria Complex).  They will complete Section III of the OTAGNC Form 621-100 (NC TAP).  You
will have to register for classes before you can submit your federal tuition assistance request.  You will need your
class information to complete your online federal tuition assistance request.



I have tried to apply for Federal Tuition Assistance online and I get a message stating that I am
blocked from applying and that I must submit a grade report.  What do I do?

You are now required to submit a grade report to the State Education Office at the end of each semester.  If you
have not submitted a grade report for a previous semester (ie: you did not send in a grade report for Spring 07
semester and you are now trying to apply for the Spring 08 semester) you will be blocked from applying for future
Federal Tuition Assistance until you have submitted a grade report.  Email a copy of your grade report to the
State Education Office at  nceso@nc.ngb.army.mil along with a brief statement about the problem that you are
having.  Then it is recommended to follow up with a phone call to 919-664-6194 if you have not received an email
response with 48 hours.  Once they have posted your grades you will be able to apply for tuition assistance.  
Remember to send a grade report to the education office at the end of each semester to avoid having this
problem.


EFFECTIVE JUNE 2008,  A Degree Plan is Required to be submitted to the State Education
Office to Receive Tuition Assistance.

Effective June 2008, all soldiers are required to submit a degree plan to the State Education Office in order to
continue receiving Tuition Assistance.  The degree plan can be obtained by going to the undergraduate or
graduate catalog and printing off the curriculum guide for your major.  The degree plan must show the courses  
required to obtain the degree you are working on.  A degree plan can also be obtained from your academic
advisor.   Be sure to print your name and social security number on it then mail, fax, or scan and email to the State
Education Office.  Contact information for the State Education Office can be found on the Points of Contact Page.  
Click on the following link to view a sample degree plan.   Link to Sample Degree Plan.
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