educationstate

Guard Tuition and Fees — But Only After Everything Else, and Against Six Years

An active member of a federally recognised Guard unit can have tuition and fees paid at the in-state resident rate at a state-supported institution, or at the state average at a private one here — after exhausting every other assistance, holding a 2.0 average, and promising six years of satisfactory service.

Verified August 23, 2026

What this benefit is

What it's worth: Tuition and fees at the in-state resident rate, or the state average at a private institution here

At a state-supported institution the benefit is measured by the in-state resident rate charged.
At a private institution located in this state, it is measured by the average tuition and fees at state institutions offering the same coursework — so a costly private school leaves a remainder.
The whole scheme is subject to the total funding the General Assembly appropriates. Where funds fall short, the statute says master’s degree benefits must be cut before certificate, associate or bachelor’s benefits.
Only courses required for completion of the certificate or degree are covered, and only one certificate or degree programme at each level of study.

Who is entitled to it

You have served or are serving.
Your home is in this state.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

Deadline: In advance of the class, on the announced schedule

1Apply for and use every other reasonably available tuition assistance first — scholarships, grants and civilian employer education benefits. The statute makes that a precondition, not a suggestion.
2Apply to the Adjutant General BEFORE the class begins, on the schedule the Adjutant General announces. This is not a reimbursement you can claim afterwards.
3Check the institution. State-supported anywhere, or private but located in this state — a private school outside the state is outside the section.
4Hold the 2.0 minimum average throughout. It is a continuing condition, not an entry test.
5Understand the six-year promise: the member must serve satisfactorily for not less than six years.
6Watch the 15-year clock. Benefits stop 15 years after the first funded course begins, though a call to active duty or an activation that interrupts study extends the clock by the time served.

Form: Application to the Adjutant General, in advance of the course
File with: The Adjutant General, on the schedule the Adjutant General announces
Each term: Claimed per academic term.

CorrectionThis is a benefit of last resort by design. The statute requires the member to apply for and use all other reasonably available assistance first — including a civilian employer’s education benefit, which is the one people forget they have.

Worth knowingThe 15-year clock runs from the first funded course, not from enlistment or from graduation. Someone who starts a certificate at 20 and returns for a degree at 40 has already spent the window.

Worth knowingThe statute names the cut order in a lean year: master’s degree benefits are reduced before certificate, associate or bachelor’s benefits. A graduate student is the first to feel a shortfall.

Known gapThe statute sets no dollar cap and no percentage — the amount is whatever the appropriation supports. It also leaves the application schedule to the Adjutant General, so the actual deadline comes from the Guard education office rather than from the code.

Sources

authority · statute14 Del. C. §3480 — Delaware National Guard Educational Benefits, education benefits

Why only one source type: The section states the eligibility, the payment measure, the exhaustion requirement, the grade condition, the service obligation and the 15-year limit in its own text. No agency page adds a figure the statute does not carry.

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.