Posted on May 17, 2021
What is the best reserve/guard to join in terms of college tuition? Which offers the most benefits and pays the most for college tuition?
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It depends on the state you're in. In general, most states National Guards (Army or Air) offer more incentives than the Reserves. That's because states are able to provide additional incentives on top of federal TA. Some states will pay for multiple graduate degrees, some will pay 100% TA, some offer scholarships. For example, in Washington state when I was in the NG, if there was a seat available in a class at a state funded university, that class was tuition free, and the NG provided a scholarship every year as well.
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SGT Chester Beedle
Pretty much what I was going to say. The Reserves only have the federal reserve version of the GI Bill and federal tuition assistance while states sometimes add a lot more to it. I don't think WA has the free space available classes anymore, but has a grant program where you get a year grant for each year you are in the NG.
There is also the NG Kicker for a six year enlistment in the Guard, though there might be a reserve version as well.
The only possible negative to the NG is that you might get called up a little more often for state emergencies. This will vary by state and what happens. When I was in the MDARNG we didn't do anything. There were people on standby for Y2K and that was it. After 6-Jan this year obviously that changed a bit.
In the WARNG we were called up for a couple fires, a flood, and some units for a massive mudslide that shut down most of I5 for a while.
There is also the NG Kicker for a six year enlistment in the Guard, though there might be a reserve version as well.
The only possible negative to the NG is that you might get called up a little more often for state emergencies. This will vary by state and what happens. When I was in the MDARNG we didn't do anything. There were people on standby for Y2K and that was it. After 6-Jan this year obviously that changed a bit.
In the WARNG we were called up for a couple fires, a flood, and some units for a massive mudslide that shut down most of I5 for a while.
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SGT Chester Beedle
SFC (Join to see) - I am a bit old. I joined the Regular Army at the end of '92 and medically retired 16 years later (yes, I became a lazy fatbody in the NG).
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In Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, the National Guard will pay 100% of a Guard Members tuition s long as they are in good standing and drilling as scheduled.
Miss a drill, you cover that month out of pocket.
The only real requirement is that the school must be a public school. No private universities or trade schools.
Miss a drill, you cover that month out of pocket.
The only real requirement is that the school must be a public school. No private universities or trade schools.
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National Guard depending on the State you're in as SFC (Join to see) has stated. Reserves, even though being Reserve belong exclusively to Federal. Whereas the National Guard belongs to State most of the time, and Federal when needed.
That said, some Reservists depending on their State may also be able to benefit from some programs as a military member in general.
That said, some Reservists depending on their State may also be able to benefit from some programs as a military member in general.
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