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Everything is Bigger in Texas But...

National Guard Education Benefits Are Better In the Boot!

GRADUATE DEBT-FREE AT A LOUISIANA PUBLIC UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE WITH PART-TIME SERVICE

STEP Logo
No application required.
 

Louisiana National Guard members are eligible for FREE TUITION at in-state, public colleges, and universities through the LA STEP Program. Out-of-state tuition is waived when student is living on a university or college campus.

Patriot Scholarship Logo
No application required.
 
The Louisiana National Guard Patriot Scholarship Program covers the cost of MANDATORY FEES for members attending a LA public post-secondary education institution.
Benefit Information
Fill out this form and we’ll put you in touch with a recruiter who can answer questions and offer opportunities in the Louisiana Army National Guard.
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Louisiana Army National Guard Benefits

When you join the Louisiana Army National Guard, you’re joining a local team with purpose and setting yourself up for a successful future. You’ll gain job skills and leadership experience while getting a head start on your civilian career. Explore the many ways Guard service can accelerate your life.

Complete the form above to speak with a recruiter to see if you qualify for the benefits below.

The Louisiana Army National Guard values higher education and offers many types of assistance to help you stay on track while you serve.

  • Step Tuition Exemption Program – In-state tuition at public colleges waived for Louisiana Army National Guardsmen and women. For more information go to Louisiana Revised Statute 29:36

  • Out-of-state Tuition Waiver- Any student enrolled or who may enroll in a public university or college in this state and who is seventeen years of age or over and who is serving in the Louisiana National Guard shall be exempt from all or a portion of tuition charges if the applicant for free tuition is presently living on campus at a Louisiana university or college. For more information go to Louisiana Law R.S. 29:36.1

  • Student Loan Repayment Program – Receive up to $50,000 in student loan repayment, if you qualify. The Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) is available to Soldiers and officer candidates (09S) who have one or more qualifying and disbursed Title IV federal loan(s)

  • Montgomery GI Bill – in addition to your tuition being covered, receive up to an additional $466.00 a month through the Montgomery GI Bill program, if qualified. The GI Bill Programs are statutory entitlements that are administered by the military services and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Soldiers may receive up to 36 months in any one DVA educational assistance program and a maximum of 48 months of combined benefits if eligible for two or more programs. For more information, go to Education Programs

  • Patriot Scholarship – The Patriot Scholarship is a Louisiana law passed in 2023 to work in conjunction with the State Tuition Exemption Program (STEP) to help Louisiana Army and Air National Guardsmen work towards an undergraduate degree. The Patriot Scholarship covers mandatory fees towards an undergraduate degree at Louisiana public institutions of higher learning. Your mandatory fees may vary depending on the number of hours enrolled, but Patriot Scholarship will scale to meet them.

Gain skills that will give you a competitive edge in the job market, while getting paid for your service.

  • Enlistment Bonus (varies)

  • You will be paid for every day you serve (including all training days)

  • Dependents (if applicable) may also qualify for an additional housing allowance

  • You will pay income tax only on your base pay—any upgrades or bonuses received while serving overseas are exempt, meaning this money all comes straight to you

  • You earn Active Duty pay any time you’re deployed (at home or overseas) for any reason

  • Inexpensive healthcare through the TRICARE system, for as little as $47.20 for a single individual and $238.99 for a family (costs as of 4/15/21 and are subject to change – go to Health Care Costs Information for more information)

  • Low-cost life insurance that pays up to $500,000

Louisiana Army National Guard Patriot Scholarship

  • The Patriot Scholarship is a Louisiana law passed in 2023 to work in conjunction with the State Tuition Exemption Program (STEP) to help Louisiana Army and Air National Guardsmen work towards an undergraduate degree and Graduate Debt Free.
  • The Patriot Scholarship covers mandatory fees towards an undergraduate degree at Louisiana public institutions of higher learning. Your mandatory fees may vary depending on the number of hours enrolled, but Patriot Scholarship will scale to meet them.
  • Mandatory fees may vary between institutions. Mandatory fees are charged to all students within the institution as a requirement for attendance and are not waivable. If a fee is specific to a single program, it is likely not considered a mandatory fee. See your school’s Financial Aid/Scholarship/Bursar’s Office for more information.
  • All Louisiana Army and Air National Guard members became eligible for the Patriot Scholarship when the law went into effect on 01 August 2023. To use this benefit, the process is similar to STEP. Your school will have a list of all members eligible for STEP and the Patriot Scholarship. If you are on the list, you are signed up. If you are not on the list, you can contact the LANG Education Services Office and then can help you prove eligibility. Contact info can be found at: https://geauxguard.la.gov/education/.
  • You must be a member in good standing with the Louisiana National Guard.
  • You must be eligible for STEP.
  • You must not have used the Patriot Scholarship for more than 12 semesters or 16 quarters.
  • Sufficient funds must have been appropriated by the Louisiana legislature for the Patriot Scholarship.
  • See the Memorandum of Understanding (dated 15 July 2023) signed as part of your enlistment/reenlistment contract for more information.
  • You can lose eligibility if you get put on academic probation at your school, or if your Unit Commander flags you. Once you fix either issue, you regain your eligibility. The school determines the rules for Academic Probation. The Unit Commander in accordance with Army/Air Force regulations determine requirements for flagging Service Members and for removing flags.
  • The Patriot Scholarship lasts 4 Academic Years. This is defined as 12 semesters or 16 quarters. There is no limit to the number of hours the Patriot Scholarship will cover during a semester/quarter. The Patriot Scholarship is not prorated, so if you are not a full-time student, you are still using a full period of eligibility.
  • You can take breaks between academic sessions at any time and retain your eligibility.
  • The Patriot Scholarship specifically covers mandatory fees and nothing else. It is not a monetary award that can be used towards other costs. By rule, LOSFA first applies STEP to your tuition bill. Next, LOSFA applies the Patriot Scholarship to any mandatory fees. Any other remaining awards or scholarship money will be managed by the details of that particular instrument. It is possible that other forms of financial aid may be applied as a credit to the student’s account once all charges have been paid. See your institutions Financial Aid/Scholarship/Bursar’s Office for more information.
  • Yes, but speak to the LANG Education Services Office to ensure you spend your entitlements wisely. They can help you tailor your education benefits to ensure you gain the maximum benefit for the degree plan you are considering. Contact info can be found at: https://geauxguard.la.gov/education/.
  • Not if you successfully complete the academic term and remain a member in good standing with the Louisiana National Guard. If you fall out of good standing with your school or National Guard unit, the school may initiate recoupment. The Louisiana National Guard does not initiate or control the recoupment process. In the event recoupment occurs, you must deal with your school directly.
  • If your classes start after 01 August 2023, the Patriot Scholarship covers mandatory fees. As soon as possible, speak with both the Financial Aid/Scholarship/Bursar’s Office at your school and the LANG Education Services Office to resolve the issue. Contact info can be found at: https://geauxguard.la.gov/education/. Your school should be able to submit your scholarship request and credit your account once the money is received. Each school will have a different process, so be thorough but patient as the process is worked out the inaugural semester.
  • The Patriot Scholarship is for the sole use of the service member.
  • Yes, if that trade school is a Louisiana public postsecondary education institution. Speak with the LANG Education Services Office for more information. Contact info can be found at: https://geauxguard.la.gov/education/.
  • You may still use the Patriot Scholarship towards a second undergraduate degree/certificate. Once you begin using the Patriot Scholarship, eligibility terminates upon exhaustion of academic periods or the acceptance of a Bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.
  • You must be enrolled in an undergraduate program to use the Patriot Scholarship; however, if a graduate course is required/accepted as part of that undergraduate program, the Patriot Scholarship will apply.
  • All Louisiana public institutions of higher learning are notified of the changes in the law. In addition, each school has a good working relationship with the LANG Education Services Office. If you have problems proving eligibility, reach out to the LANG Education Services Office for support at: https://geauxguard.la.gov/education/.