How To Apply For The California National Guard Tuition Assistance Program
Active members of the State Military Reserve, Naval Militia, or the California National Guard can benefit from a state-funded program. Such initiatives are developed to help service members improve their skills, abilities, and competencies.
Read on to learn more about the eligibility criteria and application process for the California National Guard Program.
What Is The California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP)?
The California National Guard Tuition Assistance Program, or CNG EAAP, is a grant provided to service members of the CA State Military Reserve and National Guard. All eligible students are entitled to receive financial assistance through this program, duly authorized by the California Student Aid Commission.
Through the program, participants are liable for a grant in the form of the Cal Grant A award and the Cal Grant B award on attending California University, California State University, or any non-public institution in the state.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the CNG EAAP, applicants must agree to the following:
- Remain an active member of the CMD during the program participation period
- Attend the qualifying institution as mentioned in Section 69432.7(I) of the California Education Code
- Remain active with the California Student Aid Commission through the Institutional Participation Agreement
- Enrolled in a minimum of three academic units per each term
- Maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average annually
- Won’t accept a Cal Grant award in the same academic year
- Will use the award to obtain a degree, certificate, or diploma not currently held
- Be a qualified resident of the state as determined by the institution
Additionally, applicants who enter the program during or post the 2020-21 academic session must also agree to:
- Obtain only one degree while being in the program
- Serve two years in either the California National Guard, the California Naval Militia, or the CA State Guard upon completion of the last academic session
- Complete the course within 10 years of acceptance into the program
Certification And Application Process
For service members applying for California National Guard tuition assistance, the application process starts on January 15th and the deadline ends on April 30th. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until January 14th or until all the awards are over. New applicants need to submit the EAAP application, Statement of Understanding, and Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
If you wish to renew your existing application, the enrollment period starts on January 15th and continues until June 1st. Applicants need to submit their Statement of Understanding and Renewal Application by June 1st. Failing to renew the application will lead to an automatic withdrawal from the CNG EAAP.
Applicant Selection Process
Every year, the funds are first allocated to the renewal participants, then to the priority participants, and the remaining to the fresh applicants. Due to the lack of required funds, not every application is accepted. Hence, awards are given to the applicants with maximum ability.
Funds that were originally given to selected participants can be allotted to other eligible applicants. This happens when the current participants fail to complete their studies, don’t renew their applications, or get withdrawn from school for failing to submit a Leave of Absence Request.
Depending on the annual budget, the Office of the Adjutant General can select up to 1,000 participants or more. The Office of the Adjutant General will evaluate and identify suitable applications using predetermined criteria. Selected participants will then be notified by email.
Award Amount: Calculation, Duration, and Limits
The award amount is calculated considering the terms of Cost of Attendance after subtracting any benefits obtained from the Federal education for the term for determining the unmet Cost of Attendance. The amount of award is tied to the maximum amount related to Cal Grant awards for every year. Moreover, awarded funds are based on the traditional academic year of nine months. The final amount will be clarified once the State Budget is passed.
The amounts disbursed to the applicants are usually divided by the number of academic sessions. For institutes that have a semester schedule, the maximum amount granted every semester is half of the total yearly amount. For the institutes with a quarterly schedule, the maximum amount given to the applicant for every quarter is one-third of the total yearly amount. For those who aren’t attending any institute, a compulsory summer session is considered.
The Bottom Line
The CNG EAAP is a great program for military personnel looking for financial aid to pursue higher education. It’s a great financing option with straightforward eligibility requirements. Make sure to check with your college’s financial aid office to learn more about the process.
