1301 S. State St.
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Main Phone
(231) 591-5319
Mr. Randy Wright
Mr. Nick Dennison
SFC Bradley Plaska
Understanding Your Benefits
Army service members have access to a wide range of benefits deisnged to support hteir personal and professional growth. These include education assistance like Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA), MING STAP, and the GI Bill, and additional benefits like housing and financial support for families. Service members also receive healthcare, housing allowance, savings plans, and access to low-cost life insurance.
Helpful Information
MING STAP provides educational benefits at schools and education programs wihtin Michigan for Michigan National Guard service memebrs who have completed their intial trianing. The program is designed to reimburse students after the semester. Payments are provided back to the account of the student's choosing.
Eligibility
- Currently serving or a veteran of the MI National Guard
- Be a Michigan resident.
- Enroll at an in-state school.
- Maintain a 2.0+ GPA (for undergrad programs)
- Not have a flag, suspension, or dishonorable. discharge from the MI National Guard.
Benefits
- Up to $14,000 per fiscal year or $600 per credit hour.
- Up to $86,000 per year for undergrad students.
- Up to $25,200 for graduate students.
- Can be combined with Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA), GI Bill, and FAFSA.
- Benefits may also now be transferred to spouses and dependents.
- Can be used to cover some college fees.
Required Documents
- Official Transcript from School.
- School provided cost invoice.
- Proof of FTA eligibility and use.
- Create an account or login to MINGSTAP website and follow the steps shown to create an application.
Deadlines
- Submit FTA at least 8 days prior to class start date
- STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER THE CLASS START DATE.
- After final grades are recieved, students must submit transcript within 30 days after the final day of classes.
FTA is a program that provides financial assistance to service members to pay for tuition and fees for voluntary, off-duty education. It it is administered through the ArmyIgnitED system. A Common Accesss Card (CAC) is required for login. Payment is provided directly to your school.
Eligibility
- If National Guard/Reserve, you must be in good standing. If Active Duty, you must complete 1 year of service following initial training.
- Must be pursuing a higher level of education than currently held (cannot be used for a second associate's degree).
- Maintain a 2.0+ GPA (for undergrad programs).
- Cannot be used concurently with GI Bill for the same courses.
Benefits
- $4,000 per fiscal year (up to $250 per semester hour).
- Covers tuition only, not books, fees, or retakes.
Required Documentation
- Degree plan or official education pathway from your school.
- TA Request from via ArmyIgnitED.
- Course enrollment documents (class schedule or tuition invoice).
- Command approval may be required.
Deadlines
- TA Requests must be submitted at least 8 days prior to the course start date (Cannot be done retroactively).
In addition to MINGSTAP, the MI National Guard also offers a host of other benefits that include but are not limited to:
- Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP). Detailed in MINGSTAP dropdown.
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA). Detailed in FTA dropdown.
- Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). A benefit that helps service members repay up to $65,000 for qualified loans. The Army will pay 33% of the outstanding balance (or $1,500, whichever is greater) per year of completed service. Must be written into the enlistment or reenlistment contract.
- Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP). Intended for health care providers in the medical and dental corps and can even apply to social work, physician assistants, and veterinarians baserd off the current fiscal year plan.
- Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP). If eligible, you can be offered a monthly stipend of $2,270 to pursue a desired educational specialty. For every 6 months, there is a one-year service obligation. You must also be accepted into a residency or education program the guard supports.
- Medical and Dental Student Stipend Program (MDSSP). An incentive for medical and dental students with a stipend of $2,270 per month. Also requires one year obligation per 6 months of use.
- Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP). Helps support hte needs of reserve component members. Can help provide access to healthcare, education, employment, financial assistance and legal assistance.
- Army Credentialing Assistance (Army COOL). Credentailing Assistance up to $2,000. This includes study materials, courses, and final exams.
- GI Bill Selected Reserve. Provides up to $439 per month for full-time enrollment in approved
*These are not the only NG benefits. For more information regarding eligibility, stipulations, or availability, talk to a National Guard recruiter or research them online.
The Army Reserve and National Guard share many of the same benefits. Below is a list of the main benefits:
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA). Detailed in FTA dropdown.
- GI Bill Selected Reserve. Provides up to $439 per month for full-time enrollment in approved programs.
- Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). A benefit that helps service members repay up to $65,000 for qualified loans. The Army will pay 33% of the outstanding balance (or $1,500, whichever is greater) per year of completed service. Must be written into the enlistment or reenlistment contract.
- MyCAA (For spouses of Reservists): Spouses of reservists may qualify for up to $4,000 in credentialing assistance.
- Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP). Helps support hte needs of reserve component members. Can help provide access to healthcare, education, employment, financial assistance and legal assistance.
- Army Credentialing Assistance (Army COOL). Credentailing Assistance up to $2,000. This includes study materials, courses, and final exams.
- Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP). If eligible, you can be offered a monthly stipend of $2,270 to pursue a desired educational specialty. For every 6 months, there is a one-year service obligation. You must also be accepted into a residency or education program the guard supports.
*These are not the only Reserve benefits. For more information regarding eligibility, stipulations, or availability, talk to an Army Reserve recruiter or research them online.
There are a number of different benefits that many
have never heard of. Research them for yourself and
for other Soldiers. Here are a few to get you started:
- Helmets to Hardhats. Helps veterans connect
with construction careers in their area with
veteran preferred hiring. - Veterans Preferred Hiring. If you are looking
for a job, start by finding jobs with preferred
hiring. A few examples include microsoft, google,
boeing, general electric, johnson and johnson,
FBI, CIA. - Finding Military Discounts. The best place to
start looking for discounts is ID.me. Simply
create an account and confirm your identity.
There is a wide range of discounts and benefits.
They range from finding jobs to getting travel
discounts. Another good source is Vet Tix. - Fisher House Foundation. Best known for their
comfort homes where military members can stay
at no cost while a loved one is receiving
treatment at a military/VA center. There is also a
grant program, scholarship fund, and other
assistance. - Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship. Program
for dependent children to meet eligibility criteria
to help pay for four academic years. - Association of the US Army (AUSA). Provides
educational and professional development for
service members. There are also scholarships for
AUSA members and their dependents. - Explore. Find hundreds of miscellaneous benefits by clicking here.
Ferris State has a number of helpful resources and benefits for students, service members, and veterans. Visit the Ferris State Veterans Resource Center website for more information. Here is a sample list of what is available:
- 25% off tution for verterans.
- In-state tuition costs. Military members and their families may be eligble for in-state tuition cost, even if they are not residents of Michigan.
- Credit for military service. Ferris State allows students to receive academic credit for their trianing. Visit the Joint Services Transcript website for more information.
- National Veterans Scholarships List. Ferris can help connect Veterans find and apply for scholarships.
- Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance (BBNA). An organization at Ferris State that provides emergency food and housing assistance for students at Ferris State.