Guard Educational Encouragement Program — Up to $10,000 a Fiscal Year
State tuition assistance funded by the National Guard for a drilling member, up to $10,000 per service member per fiscal year as prescribed by the Adjutant General, at an approved accredited institution in the State.
Verified August 23, 2026
What this benefit is
State tuition assistance funded by the National Guard for a drilling member, up to $10,000 per service member per fiscal year as prescribed by the Adjutant General, at an approved accredited institution in the State.
What it's worth: Up to $10,000 per service member per fiscal year
- The programme is described as funding up to 100% of tuition costs and fees, subject to the annual limit.
- The $10,000 figure is prescribed by the Adjutant General and is stated as per service member per fiscal year, so it can change without the programme changing.
- Funds may only support tuition and allowable fees, and cannot be paid to the student as a refund or overpayment.
Who is entitled to it
- The assistance runs to the serving member.
- Your home is in W. Va.
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: 1 May for the fall, 1 November for the spring; non-traditional and summer sessions 60 days before the start- 1Diary the deadline now. Fall closes 1 May and spring closes 1 November — both fall well before the term they pay for.
- 2For a summer or non-traditional session, count back 60 days from the start date. That is the deadline, not the term dates.
- 3Enrol at an approved, accredited post-secondary institution inside the State. The programme is described as in-state only.
- 4Check your status first: the benefit is for active drilling members and is described as not applicable to Active Guard Reserve.
- 5Clear any adverse action or administrative flag before applying, and finish the coursework before your expiration of term of service date.
- 6Do not expect a refund cheque. The money supports tuition and allowable fees and cannot be released to the student as an overpayment.
- Form
- State tuition assistance application, through the Guard education office
- File with
- The National Guard education office
- Each term
- Claimed per academic term.
Sources
- authority · published policyW. Va. National Guard — Educational Encouragement Program, About (annual limit, eligibility, deadlines, what the funds may cover)
Why only one source type: Read from the Guard’s own application system, which is where the programme is administered. The Code host refused every connection this session, so no statutory citation is offered and no service obligation is described.
This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.