Veterans Services

Federal Tuition Assistance (GoArmyEd)

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) is a federally funded program that pays schools directly for the cost of tuition for Soldiers. FTA pays 100% of your tuition cost up to $250 per credit hour and up to $4,500 per fiscal year (1 OCT - 30 SEP). Fees are authorized for payment as long as they are directly related to the course(s). Soldiers must provide details of fees on the uploaded statement of tuition cost (see application process below). FTA cannot be used for books.

FTA can be used towards one degree or certificate completion at DMACC. Soldiers are limited to 16 credit hours per fiscal year and 130 total credit hours towards an undergraduate degree.
For more information about FTA please visit the Iowa National Guard website.

Eligibility

If you are an actively drilling member of the Army National Guard or US Army Reserves and have served at least 12 months after the graduation from your initial entry training (IET - Basic Training and AIT) you may be eligible to apply for and receive Federal Tuition Assistance. 

Applying for Benefits

The deadline to apply for FTA is the start date of the course(s). You must apply for FTA each semester because the application is specific to the courses you are registered for.

1. Apply for Federal Tuition Assistance
   • Go to the GoArmyEd Portal
   • Create profile
   • Upload four documents:
     • Statement of Understanding (signed by you and commander)(12 months)
     • Degree Plan/Degree Audit (From Academic Advisor)
     • Class Schedule (From Banner Self Service)
     • Cost Verification/Detailed Bill (From Student Accounts)
   • Complete/Submit application
   • Receive two emails
     • Application received
     • Application approved
   • Print approved authorization(s)
2. Provide copies of approved authorizations to the Veterans Services Coordinator
   • POC for questions: Michael Robinson 515-252-4422, michael.p.robinson1.civ@mail.mil

Receiving Payments

FTA is applied to your DMACC account after you provide the approved authorization(s) to the Veterans Services Office. The Veterans Services Office will log your authorizations and provide copies to Student Accounts. Student Accounts will credit your DMACC account for the amount of the authorization(s). DMACC invoices GoArmyEd on a monthly basis and physically receives the money for your tuition and fees.

Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship (INGSS)

INGSS is a state funded program that pays schools directly for the cost of tuition for members of the Iowa Army and Air National Guard. Based on annual appropriation by the Iowa state legislature, INGSS pays 100% of tuition costs for classes between August and May. INGSS does not cover summer courses. INGSS does not pay fees. For more information on INGSS please visit the Iowa National Guard website.

The authorization for payment of educational benefits associated with the Iowa National Guard is obtained via electronic announcement provided by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission.  A current National Guard Payment record can be accessed in the DMACC Financial Aid Office. Only students appearing on the electronic announcement provided will be awarded Iowa National Guard educational benefits.  The amount of benefit awarded is based on the student’s cost of tuition.

The statutory maximum is established annually by the Iowa Adjutant General. The maximum award for the 2023-24 academic year has been set to $8,798 or the tuition rate charged to the recipient, whichever is lower. This financial assistance does not have to be repaid. In order to receive the Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship at any school, students must also submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA priority deadline for the Fall term is July 1st, and for the Spring term the priority deadline is December 1st.

Eligibility

To be eligible a student must:

• Be an Iowa resident (determined by the Adjutant General of Iowa)
• Be an active member of the Iowa Army or Air National Guard (satisfactory performance of duty)
• Have completed Initial Entry Training (Basic Training and AIT or Tech Training)
• Have not met the requirements of a Baccalaureate degree
• Attend a North Central Association (NCA) accredited community college, university or private college or university in Iowa

Applying for Benefits

1. Apply for INGSS at: Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship | Department of Education or Iowa National Guard – Always Ready
   • Sign in or create account
   • Complete/Submit application (make sure you have chosen DMACC as your school)
   • Student will receive two emails:
   • Application received
   • Application approved
2. Once application is approved your name will appear on an online roster.
3. Veterans Services Coordinator will process award to your DMACC account.
   • POC for questions is National Guard Education Office or Wing Education Officer
   • Army — 515-252-4468
   • Air — 515-252-4555 or Wing Education Office

Receiving Payments

When the application for INGSS is approved, the student's name will appear on an online roster that we have access to in the Veterans Services Office. The Veterans Services Coordinator will award INGSS funds on the student's DMACC account equal to the cost of tuition (not including fees). If the INGSS award results in a credit balance on the student's DMACC account (example - the student is receiving Federal Tuition Assistance and INGSS) the INGSS funds will be refunded to the student in accordance with DMACC refund policy. Generally, refunds are disbursed approximately 2 weeks into the semester and every Wednesday thereafter. The student would then be able to apply INGSS funds towards other costs of attendance which may include books, living expenses, gas, etc.

If the student reduces the number of credit hours they are registered for within the drop period, INGSS will be adjusted. If the student received a refund of INGSS funds it may result in a balance due to DMACC. For specific information about how reducing credit hours affects INGSS please contact the Veterans Services Coordinator at 515-964-6278 or via email at dlenright2@dmacc.edu. Veterans Services | Des Moines Area Community College