Getting Started

Step 1: Apply to School

Apply to the school and get accepted. Be sure you have a student ID# from the school which will be needed for Army Ignited. 

Step 2: Apply Joint Service Transcript credits

Go to the Joint Services Transcript website and download your official JST Transcript. This you will present to your school to evaluate and check whether some credits transfer into your program of study.  

Step 3: Federal Tuition Assistance How To 

  • $4,500 per fiscal year or 18 credits (whichever comes first)- be sure to review the virtual benefits training 
  • Renews every fiscal year from 1 Oct. -30 September 
  • You are required to submit for funding for every class taken (do not upload 0 credit classes into the system). 

Watch Video and Create Account

Please watch ArmyIgnitED video: ArmyIgnitED 101 Training for Federal Tuition Assistance 20241219 

Please create an account for Army Ignited 2.0. You need to access this system with your CAC. Use Google Chrome as it works best.  

Create Account

  • Complete your profile information. 
  • Complete your CAREER PATH DECIDE. Upload the goals report into Army Ignited by Create a new plan for the Career Path Decide option. 
  • Complete the virtual benefits training- see attached how to guide. (Sign the Guard VBT training)- read the information thoroughly about the program. 
  • Create an education goal (see the attached how to guide). 
  • Be sure to ask your school for the evaluated degree plan to insert when you create your education goal. 
  • Create your funding requests on the dashboard- ISSUE Funding. Create each request separately- makes things easier.(see attached how to guide). Requirements for FTA requests: 60 days prior to course start date and NLT 7 days prior to course start date. 
  • Submit your approved TARs to the school for verification. 

Step 4: Apply for State Tuition Assistance

Please do direct your attention to the attached guide and follow the instructions for the application of State TA. This is completed and approved at a separate State Tuition Funding office. STA pays up to 100% for undergraduate at the UNL rate of $277 per credit hour, and 50% for graduate courses. 

Please note that the state funding pays after the semester to ensure you have successfully completed your courses and the grades have been posted to show success.  

State Tuition Assistance Information 

(please note that this is for in state Nebraska schools).  

Step 5: Apply for GI Bill

Read about the benefits. Apply for the benefit. It takes up to 30 days to get the Certificate of Eligibility. Provide this to the school. Wave monthly certifications of school attendance required. 

Steps for the MGIB-SR Chapter 1606: To qualify for the Chapter 1606, you need to have HS, IADT completed and a 6 year contract. 

  • Step 1: Students go to the MGIB-SR page on the VA website and click the apply link to apply for the program.
  • Step 2: Soldier needs to know whether they qualify for the Kicker. If yes, there is a question asking about this. Answer Yes/No by checking the corresponding box. 
  • Step 3: Once application is submitted, it will take up to 30 days to receive a Certificate of Eligibility letter from VA in the mail. If this is a denial, it needs to be emailed to me immediately for a VA Reverse Inquiry with NGB. POC:  SFC Sladky, USARMY NG NEARNG (USA) <joshua.e.sladky.mil@army.mil>
  • Step 4: Denial processed with NGB will take another 30 days for VA to resend a new Certificate of Eligibility in the mail. However, if the application was successful a NOBE can be retrieved from GIMS under the GI Bills TAB. This can be requested from the education office for verification. 
  • Step 5: COE will be handed over to the school's VA rep for validation and approval. The student will need to validate monthly in WAVE. School will explain this process. If no validation occurs, no payment is made. 

Information on Rate Payment depending on school attendance: 

  • Full-time enrollment: $481.00 for each full month 
  • 3/4-time enrollment: $360.00 for each full month 
  • 1/2-time enrollment: $240.00 for each full month 
  • Less than 1/2-time enrollment: $120.25 for each full month 

Rate information for the Kicker: 

  • Depending on contract: $200 or $350. 

Contact VA about your certifications and GI Bill money:

  • GI Bill Hotline:
    888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551)

Step 6: Apply for FAFSA:

Anyone can apply for FAFSA- but this also qualifies you for the Pell Grant. If you qualify for the PELL GRANT due to income eligibility, the school will receive federal funds toward your education. This is not a loan.  

FAFSA also qualifies you for subsidized and unsubsidized student loans, which need to be repaid. This you will reject unless you choose it for yourself!  

Apply for FAFSA