Home | GI Bill | Bonus | College Assitance Program | Additional Programs

Who is eligible to receive FTA?

Only authorized for ADSW, ADT, Mobilized commission officers, and ARNG traditional soldiers in an active drilling status are eligible to recieve ARNG FTA.  FTA is an additional benefit to Servicemembers of the ARNG, not an entitlement, and is used to encourage enlistment and retention of quality applicants.

Note:  ARNG AGR soldiers (Title 10/32) are not eligible for ARNG FTA.  However, they are eligible for TA through their servicing active component (Army Education Center).

Instructions:

A.  Go to www.virtualarmory.com.  You do not need to log into this site.
B.  Click on the Education tab on the top of the page.
C.  Hover cursor over the "Online Applications"
D.  Click on "Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)" application.
E.  You will be directed to a link asking you to enter your Army Knowledge Online (AKO) username and password.  Enter your information and submit.
F.  If you are AGR or a mobilized enlisted soldier, you must contact your Active Duty Army Education Office to apply for Active Army TA.  You can find the Active Army sites and POCs at https://www.armyeducation.army.mil/ under the "Point of Contact" option.  If you are mobilized CONUS, your local Army installation services you.
G.  Statement of Unterstanding (SOU)- click "agree".  You cannot proceed until you agree to the SOU.
H.  Fill out Contact Information.  Note:  You must enter your AKO email address in order to receive confirmation that yourapplication has been received.  You must enter a phone numbewr in order to continue.
I.  Fill out School Information.  Note:  You must select the state in which your school resides.  You will find this with your schools address.
J.  Fill out course schedule information.
K.  Recoupment Policy-click the "agree" button and proceed.
L.  Submit your application-click on the "Submit" button to electronically send your request to the ESO.  You will get a window that states your application has been sent.

Click here for a Word document on Applying for FTA on Virtual Armory

This completes your part of the process.  The ARNG Education Office will validate and approve your request by assigning it a control number.  You will receive an e-mail confirming the amount of FTA for which you have been approved.

Important Notes:

•  Keep track of your approval funding. The Virtual Armory will not automatically cut off funding for subsequent requests-once you've hit your maximum FTA amount, the ESO will adjust your FTA request.
•  You must notify the ESO immediately of any course changes.
•  You not the school, are responsible for turning in grades to the ESO at the completion of each course / semester / quarter.