Part 530.Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver ProgramCodification Notes. This part as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules of 2024 provided as follows: "Summary. This rule implements Act 471 of the 91st General Assembly, Act 535 of the 92nd General Assembly, and Acts 76 and 133 of the 93rd General Assembly, and Act 275 of the 94th General Assembly; establishes rules for the eligibility of soldiers and airmen; defines the purpose of the Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver Program; defines necessary responsibilities of the program; and sets forth entitlement criteria.
Applicability. This rule applies to all active members of the Arkansas Army and Air National Guard as defined in Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 60, Subchapter 2.
General. In this rule, the words "soldier" or "soldiers" and " airman" or "airmen" are intended to include both masculine and feminine gender unless specifically stated otherwise.
Distribution. This publication is available for both Arkansas Army and Air National Guard, Arkansas Division of Higher Education, all in-state accredited institutions of higher education, and the general public."
Subpart 1.Generally6 CAR § 530-101. Purpose.
This part establishes policy, procedure, and eligibility requirements for administration of the Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver Program.
Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-102. Definitions.
As used in this part:
(1) "Education and Incentives Branch" means the Arkansas Army National Guard Education and Incentives Branch, which facilitates processing of both Army and Air National Guard requests after service component verification;(2) "Soldier" or "soldiers" means an active member or members of the Arkansas Army National Guard;(3) "Airman" or "Airmen" -means an active member or members of the Arkansas Air National Guard.(4) "Initial active duty training" means completion of basic training or credit for a basic course through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps;(5) "Institution of higher education" means any state-supported public institution;Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-103. Entitlements.
(a) The Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver, as established by Act 2017, No. 471, as amended by Acts 2019, No. 535, and Acts 2021, Nos. 76 and 133, and Acts 2023, No. 275, located in Arkansas Code § 6-60-214, allows all eligible soldiers and airmen (see 6 CAR § 530-201 et seq.) to attend a state-supported institution of higher education tuition-free.(b) This benefit will waive tuition for a maximum of one hundred twenty (120) semester credit hours.(c) The Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver can only be used to obtain an undergraduate degree, up to a bachelor's, and cannot be used by soldiers and airmen who have previously been awarded a bachelor's degree.(d) The cost of a soldier's or airman'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.(e) Payment of mandatory fees, if any, will not exceed actual cost of mandatory fees.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-104. Policy.
In an effort to improve necessary strength and readiness levels in the Arkansas National Guard, the Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver is:
(1) Authorized under state law as a benefit for qualifying soldiers and airmen; and(2) Based on eligibility criteria detailed in Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 60, Subchapter 2, this rule, and by the Division of Higher Education.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-105. Responsibilities.
(a) The Division of Higher Education is responsible for:(1) Coordinating with the Arkansas National Guard regarding rule changes or modifications;(2) Administering receipt and disbursement of funds to the institutions and maintaining fiscal records of the Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver;(3) Verifying the soldier or airman has submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the Arkansas Scholarship Application Management System;(4) Approving or denying Scholarship Application Management System Financial Aid applications and submitting results to the:(A) Arkansas Army National Guard Education and Incentives Branch;(5) Providing the Arkansas National Guard with eligibility verification for Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver criteria as outlined in 6 CAR § 530-201 et seq.;(6) Defining "mandatory fees"; and(7) Determining the amount of funds available and the allocation method to pay mandatory fees.(b) The institution of higher education is responsible for:(1) The institution's Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver representative will serve as the liaison between the:(A) Respective institution;(B) Education Services Officer; and(2) Verifying the soldier or airman is considered by the institution to be in "good standing" and meeting the requirements of satisfactory academic progress as defined in the institution's policies;(3) Verifying the soldier or airman:(A) Is enrolled in a program of study that leads to an undergraduate degree; and(B) Does not already possess a bachelor's degree;(4) Verifying the soldier or airman has applied for institutional grants and scholarships applicable to the soldier's or airman's term and major;(5) Notifying the division of the application close date and applicable term for institutional grants and scholarships;(6) Notifying the division of the soldier's or airman's current date of acceptance as a student at the institution;(7) Notifying the division regarding the status of eligibility and application verification;(8) Providing to the division a roster of all hours and dollars attributed to this program as well as student completion status at the conclusion of each semester;(9) Informing the division if the soldier's or airman's academic status changes; and(10) Applying the Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver to student accounts in accordance with the sequence or sequences established in this part.(c) The Adjutant General is responsible for: (1) Coordinating with the division in promulgating rules for the implementation of the Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver, including without limitation rules for the eligibility of soldiers and airmen; and(2)(A) Making final decision regarding recoupment of all benefits paid on the soldier's or airman's behalf for reasons including but not limited to:(i) Absence without leave;(ii) Substance abuse violations; or(iii) Any other serious misconduct.(d) Education and Incentives Branch is responsible for:(1) Monitoring and verifying eligibility status of participating soldiers for the Arkansas Army National Guard;(2) Receiving eligibility verification data from the Arkansas Air National Guard and processing applications of participating airmen in accordance with this part;(3) Maintaining records or databases or both and serving as point of contact for verification and discrepancies for institutions and the division;(4) Providing the division with a roster of all soldiers and airmen requesting Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver for the term;(5) Reviewing eligibility verification rosters from the division and providing the division with final Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver eligibility determinations;(6) Providing notification of Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver ineligibility and exception to policy request procedures to disqualified applicants;(7) Providing notification of exception to policy request determination to the division and the soldier or airman; and(8) Educating soldiers and airmen on the process established by the division regarding mandatory fees.(e) The Arkansas Army National Guard Education Services Officer is responsible for: (1) Serving as the Adjutant General's delegated proponent for the Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver;(2) Coordinating policy changes with the division;(3) Coordinating with the division, the institution, and the soldier or airman to resolve any exception to policy requests or grievances;(4) Processing exception to policy requests in accordance with 6 CAR § 530-301 et seq.; and(5) Rendering final approval or denial of any soldier's or airman's request for an exception to policy.(f) The Arkansas Air National Guard representative or representatives are responsible for: (1) Working directly with the Education and Incentives Branch and Education Services Officer in executing and administering Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver for the Air National Guard; and(2) Maintaining records or databases or both and serving as point of contact for verification and discrepancies for institutions and the division.(g) The soldier or airman is responsible for: (1) Meeting and maintaining eligibility criteria (see 6 CAR § 530-201 et seq.) and submitting an application (see 6 CAR § 530-301 et seq.) before the deadline date each semester;(2) Maintaining eligibility criteria established by the institution in which they are enrolled, the Arkansas National Guard, and the division and otherwise successfully completing the semester and all hours for which the tuition waiver is awarded;(3) Remaining in "good standing" with the institution in which they attend, as defined by that institution;(4) Achieving and maintaining "satisfactory academic progress" within their degree program, as defined by that institution; and(5)(A) If denied for the Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver, the soldier or airman may request an exception to policy through the Education Services Officer if they feel they have extenuating circumstances that were beyond their control or unavoidable.(B) The exception to policy must be: (i) Requested within thirty (30) calendar days of denial; and(ii) Processed in accordance with 6 CAR § 530-301 et seq.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
Subpart 2.Eligibility6 CAR § 530-201. Eligibility criteria.
(a) The Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver is available to all soldiers and airmen: (1) Currently serving in the Arkansas National Guard; and(2) Considered at the time of application to meet all eligibility criteria.(b) A soldier or airman must be an Arkansas resident or eligible for in-state tuition under A.C.A. § 6-60-205.(c)(1) A soldier or airman must have completed initial active duty training (basic training or credit for a basic course through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps).(2) Soldiers and airmen with an exigent circumstance that warrants a temporary waiver of the Initial Active Duty Training requirement may request an exception to policy in accordance with 6 CAR § 530-308.(d)(1) A Soldier or airman must not currently hold a bachelor or higher degree.(2) In the event a Guardsman possesses a credential or degree awarded from a foreign entity, the Guardsman must first seek evaluation of the degree's equivalency at the Institution of Higher Education.(3) If the Institution of Higher Education determines, in accordance with its policies and accreditation requirements, the foreign credential does not equate to a bachelor's degree or higher, the Guardsman may use the National Guard Tuition Waiver in pursuit of a bachelor's degree(4) If the Institution of Higher Education determines the foreign credential meets the equivalency requirements of a bachelor's degree, however, the soldier or airman may not use the National Guard Tuition Waiver.(e)(1) A soldier or airman must be accepted and enrolled in an undergraduate degree-producing program at an Arkansas state-supported public institution of higher education recognized by the Division of Higher Education.(f)(1) A soldier or airman must have: (A) Completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and(B) The Arkansas Scholarship Application Management System financial aid application; and(B) Applied for grants and scholarships with the institution in which they are enrolled.(2) Neither selection nor nonselection for receipt of institutional grants and scholarships shall disqualify a soldier or airman from receiving the National Guard Tuition Waiver.(3)(A) In determining whether a soldier or airman has met the application deadline for institutional grants and scholarships, the application deadline date shall be compared to the soldier's or airman's date of admittance to the institution and the soldier's or airman's date of entry into the Arkansas National Guard.(B) Institutional grants and scholarships with application periods closing prior to the latter of these dates shall not disqualify a soldier or airman from receiving the National Guard Tuition Waiver.(C) The soldier or airman must submit federal, state, and institutional financial aid applications in accordance with the timelines established for each of those programs.(g) A Soldier or airman must be in "good standing" with their enrolled institution and meeting the requirements of "satisfactory academic progress", as defined by that institution.(h) Soldiers and airmen must remain in "good standing" with the Arkansas National Guard.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-202. Arkansas Army National Guard criteria.
(a) Soldiers must be considered to be in "good standing" at the time of application.(b) The Arkansas National Guard Education and Incentives Branch will verify eligibility criteria for all Army soldiers.(c) Soldiers currently under suspension of favorable actions for, but not limited to, absent without leave infractions, substance abuse violations, or any other serious misconduct at the time of application are not eligible for the National Guard Tuition Waiver.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-203. Arkansas Air National Guard criteria.
(a) Airmen must be considered to be in "good standing" at the time of application.(b) The Air National Guard Representative will verify eligibility criteria for each airman through their Unit Commander.(c) Airmen currently under suspension of favorable actions for, but not limited to, absent without leave infractions, substance abuse violations, or any other serious misconduct at the time of application are not eligible for the National Guard Tuition Waiver.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-204. Eligibility determination and processing.
(a) For each National Guard Tuition Waiver applicant and term, the Division of Higher Education will provide the status of division and educational institution verified items in the table in subsection (d) of this section to the Arkansas Army National Guard Education and Incentives Branch.(b) Upon receipt of verification data from the table in subsection (d) of this section from the division, the Education and Incentives Branch will verify service component criteria and provide an National Guard Tuition Waiver eligibility determination to the division and the soldier or airman.(c) The request timeline for an exception to policy will commence on the date of the Education and Incentives Branch's notification to the soldier or airman.(d)National Guard Tuition Waiver eligibility requirements and verification responsibility table.Eligibility criteria | Verification responsibility |
Arkansas Resident or eligible for in-state tuition | Division of Higher Education |
Initial active duty training completion or basic course qualification | Arkansas National Guard |
"Good standing" in accordance with Army Regulation or Air Force Instruction | Arkansas National Guard service component representative: Education and Incentives Branch Arkansas Army National Guard or Wing National Guard Tuition Waiver Representative: Arkansas Air National |
| Guard |
Does not possess a bachelor's degree | Educational institution |
Enrollment in a degree producing program | Educational institution |
Applied for institutional grants and scholarships | Educational institution |
Date of acceptance as a student | Educational institution |
Date of institutional grants and scholarship application period | Educational institution |
"Good standing" in accordance with institution policies | Educational institution |
Satisfactory Academic Progress | Educational institution |
Application submitted through FAFSA | Division of Higher Education |
Application submitted through the Arkansas Scholarship Application Management System | Division of Higher Education |
Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
Subpart 3.Administration6 CAR § 530-301. Application process.
(a)(1) Soldiers and airmen requesting the National Guard Tuition Waiver will obtain the application and statement of understanding through the Arkansas Army National Guard Education and Incentives Branch website.(2) All applications and statements of understanding must include the soldier's or airman's signature (digital or manual). Script fonts or other typed signatures are not authorized.(b) Applications for Army soldiers will be routed to the Education and Incentives Branch for verification of eligibility as listed in 6 CAR §§ 530-202 and 530-204.(c) Applications for airmen will be routed to the Air National Guard representative for verification of eligibility as listed in 6 CAR §§ 530-203 and 530-204 before processing at the Education and Incentives Branch.(d) Once verified and approved, applications are submitted to the Division of Higher Education for disbursement of funds to the institutions of higher learning. Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-302. Submission deadlines.
(a) Applications must be submitted for each semester in which the soldier or airman wishes to receive the National Guard Tuition Waiver.(b) The National Guard Tuition Waiver may be applied for all semester and intersession courses.(c) Applications may be submitted up to sixty (60) calendar days prior to the start of the course, but must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days after the start of the course.(d)(1) Applications received after the deadline date may not be awarded and therefore the soldier or airman would be responsible for paying tuition to the institution.(2) An exception to policy can be requested through the Education Services Officer in writing.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-303. Authorized uses.
(a) The National Guard Tuition Waiver will only be awarded for programs leading to an undergraduate degree.(b) Eligible soldiers and airmen may use the National Guard Tuition Waiver until completion of a bachelor's degree or for a maximum of one hundred twenty (120) semester credit hours, whichever comes first.(c) The National Guard Tuition Waiver will only cover tuition and, subject to the availability of funds, mandatory fees.(d) The soldier or airman is responsible for all other costs, such as mandatory fees not covered by the waiver, additional fees, room and board, textbooks, and other expenses.(e) The National Guard Tuition Waiver will not be applied to courses completed in a prior semester.(f) Soldiers and airmen enrolled in high school and college concurrently are not eligible for the tuition waiver.(g)(1) The National Guard Tuition Waiver may be awarded to exclusively online degree programs where the degree-offering institution is associated with a state-supported institution of higher education.(2) The associated state-supported institution must be recognized by the Division of Higher Education as an accredited public institution of higher learning.(h) The National Guard Tuition Waiver may be used concurrently at more than one institution, provided it is in pursuit of a single Bachelor's degree and both institutions are NGTW eligible. (1) Examples include prerequisite or core level courses at an eligible satellite or community college in addition to a primary campus.(2) In such cases, the Education and Incentives Branch may coordinate with the institution to confirm eligibility. Semester hour limits shall include all hours pursued using NGTW at each campus.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-304. Continuation of eligibility.
(a)(1) In the event a mobilization or deployment interrupts the enrollment of a soldier or airman currently receiving the National Guard Tuition Waiver, the soldier or airman will remain eligible for a period of time equal to the semester in which they were enrolled.(2) It is the soldier's or airman's responsibility to notify the institution, via copies of orders, of mobilization or deployment.(b) In the event of a nonmedical discharge or a medical discharge that is not caused by an illness or injury related to the performance of duties for the Arkansas National Guard, the soldier or airman is eligible to receive the National Guard Tuition Waiver for the semester in which they are enrolled at the date of discharge.(c) In the event of a medical discharge or medical retirement as a result of illness or injury incurred in the line of duty, as the result of a state or federal activation or a terrorist action as determined by the Governor, the soldier or airman is eligible to receive the National Guard Tuition Waiver from the date of discharge or retirement and either until completion of the degree program in which the soldier or airman is enrolled or for five (5) years, whichever comes first.(d)(1) To maintain eligibility, a soldier or airman must not drop more than six (6) credit hours during a course of study.(2) However, this does not include dropping classes before the add or drop date.(3) A course of study is defined as the time during which a student is continuously enrolled in pursuit of a credential.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-305. Termination.
(a) If a soldier or airman is dismissed from any institution of higher education for academic or disciplinary reasons or drops a course after the add or drop date that exceeds the cumulative continuation of eligibility limits, the soldier or airman may be: (1) Ineligible for receiving the National Guard Tuition Waiver(2) Responsible for paying the institution directly for the semester in which the benefit was received.(3) It is the soldier's or airman's responsibility to notify the institution, via copies of orders, of mobilization or deployment.(b) In the event of a nonmedical discharge or a medical discharge that is not caused by an illness or injury related to the performance of duties for the Arkansas National Guard, the soldier or airman is eligible to receive the National Guard Tuition Waiver for the semester in which they are enrolled at the date of discharge.(c) In the event of a medical discharge or medical retirement as a result of illness or injury incurred in the line of duty, as the result of a state or federal activation or a terrorist action as determined by the Governor, the soldier or airman is eligible to receive the National Guard Tuition Waiver for a period of time equal to the semester in which they were enrolled(d) If a soldier or airman's service in the Arkansas National Guard is terminated or becomes unsatisfactory, the soldier or airman will be ineligible for the National Guard Tuition Waiver and subject to recoupment for the semester in which the soldier or airman became ineligible.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-306. Recoupment.
(a) Recoupment of the National Guard Tuition Waiver is required from soldiers and airmen for the following reasons: (1) Fraud or misrepresentation of the application;(2) Failure on the part of the soldier or airman to complete the semester for which the benefit was awarded;(3) Failure to maintain eligibility status with the Arkansas National Guard for the entire semester in which the National Guard Tuition Waiver was awarded; or(4) Identification of courses dropped after the add or drop date in excess of the six (6) credit hours allowance in 6 CAR § 530-304(d).(b) Recoupment may be collected by the respective institution in which the soldier or airman is enrolled or by the Division of Higher Education if funds were already paid on the soldier's or airman's behalf.(c)(1) The Adjutant General may initiate recoupment of all funds paid on a soldier's or airman's behalf using the National Guard Tuition Waiver when the soldier or airman engages in misconduct or fails to remain a satisfactory participant in active drilling status with the Arkansas National Guard (as defined in Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 of Army Regulation 135-178 and Air Force Instruction 36-3208 and 3209 that governs misconduct).(2) Any funds recouped will be returned to the State of Arkansas.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-307. Restoration of eligibility.
(a)(1) Soldiers and airmen ineligible for National Guard Tuition Waiver due to a suspension of favorable actions as outlined in 6 CAR § 530-202(c) and § 530-203(c) remain ineligible for the waiver for the duration of the suspension.(2) Subject to remaining eligibility requirements, the soldier or airman is eligible for the National Guard Tuition Waiver in the first term (semester or intersession) that commences following removal of the suspension.(b) Soldiers and airmen ineligible for the National Guard Tuition Waiver due to any other reason, including but not limited to satisfactory academic progress and institutional good standing, may submit a written request for exception to policy in accordance with 6 CAR § 530-308.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-308. Exceptions to policy.
(a) In the event a soldier or airman is denied for the National Guard Tuition Waiver, has benefits terminated, or is ordered to repay benefits pursuant to the provisions of this part, the soldier or airman may appeal any such action to the Education Services Officer, in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of termination, recoupment or denial.(b) The Education Services Officer will serve as the Adjutant General's delegated approval authority for the National Guard Tuition Waiver exception to policy requests of soldiers and airmen in both the Arkansas Army and Air National Guard.(c)(1) Exceptions to policy may be requested by soldiers and airmen, in writing, to the Education Services Officer.(2) In order for the exception to policy to be considered they must include, at a minimum, the following information: (A) Name of soldier or airman and unit or wing of assignment;(B) Institution of higher education name and location;(C) Semester year and month in question; and(D) Reason for request that indicates that the situation was not:(i) Due to the negligence or fault of the soldier or airman; and(ii) Within the soldier or airman's reasonable control.(d) The Education Services Officer will: (1) Review the exception to policy request;(2) Coordinate with the institution and the Division of Higher Education to resolve the exception to policy; and(3) Provide written notification to the soldiers and airmen and the division of the final disposition.(e) In the event a Guardsman's degree program exceeds the 120 semester credit hour limitation established in paragraph 3-3.b, an ETP request must also include documentation verifying the pursued degree's program requirements and the Guardsman's satisfactory progress towards the degree. (1) This documentation will include, at a minimum, a degree plan validated by the Guardsman's academic advisor, school registrar, or similar authority; and a copy of the Guardsman's transcript through the date of the ETP request.(2) For purposes of this section, a Guardsman may submit unofficial transcripts to the Education Office. The Education Office, though, reserves the right to request official transcripts for verification if the submitted documents are illegible or present any suspicion of tampering, alteration, or unauthorized modification.(3) The ESO will review the submitted ETP request, transcripts, and degree plan before submitting a recommendation for continued NGTW eligibility beyond 120 semester credit hours to ADHE. Areas of review will, at a minimum, include the Guardsman's history of remedial courses, courses failed or dropped after the add/drop date, and the Guardsmen's overall academic progress towards the degree.(4) The ESO may deny the ETP request or recommend approval to ADHE. In these instances, only ADHE may grant approval for continued use of the NGTW beyond 120 semester credit hours.(f) Continued eligibility for the NGTW beyond 120 semester credit hours as outlined above is subject to the availability of funds and approval of ADHE. Guardsmen with a degree program exceeding 120 semester credit hours must submit an ETP request in each subsequent term until degree completion unless otherwise approved in writing by ADHE.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
6 CAR § 530-309. Duplicate sources of funding.
(a) Other sources of funding may be used in addition to the National Guard Tuition Waiver.(b) Federal and state grants and scholarships awarded to soldiers and airmen via Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Scholarship Application Management System applications will be applied to tuition before the National Guard Tuition Waiver is applied.(c) Grants and scholarships awarded by the institution in which the soldier or airman is enrolled will be applied toward tuition before the National Guard Tuition Waiver is applied.(d)(1) Soldiers and airmen may, but are not required to, use the National Guard Tuition Waiver simultaneously with the GI Bill (all chapters) and the Kicker.(2) The National Guard Tuition Waiver will be applied to tuition before GI Bill funds are applied.(e) Soldiers and airmen may, but are not required to, use federal tuition assistance with the National Guard Tuition Waiver. Federal tuition assistance here refers to Federal Tuition Assistance programs established by the Department of Defense. It does not include FAFSA funds which must be applied as outlined in paragraph (b) above. If used, FTA funds will be applied to tuition before the National Guard Tuition Waiver is applied.(f)(1) The National Guard Tuition Waiver used within a term will apply to all courses enrolled for that term, excluding those dropped before the institution's add or drop date.(2) All such course enrollments for that term will count toward the one hundred twenty (120) credit hour National Guard Tuition Waiver limit.Authority. Arkansas Code § 6-60-214.
APPENDIX A
Accredited Institutions of Higher Education
* Current list of public institutions of higher education can be found at the Division of Higher Education colleges and universities page under the two-year and four-year public college and universities tabs. Please contact the Arkansas Army National Guard Education and Incentives Branch if you have questions regarding the eligibility of any of the institutions listed.