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.

National Guard Education Assistance Program (NGEAP)

NGEAP 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, NGEAP pays 100% of your tuition cost for classes between August and May. NGEAP does not cover summer courses. NGEAP does not pay fees. For more information on NGEAP please visit the Iowa National Guard website.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for and receive NGEAP you 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

The deadline to apply for NGEAP is generally July 1st for the fall semester and December 1st for the spring semester. If you attend DMACC for both fall and spring semesters you only need to apply once. 

1. Apply for NGEAP
   • https://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/IowaNationalGuard or https://www.iowanationalguard.com/
   • Sign in or create account
   • Complete/Submit application (make sure you have chosen DMACC as your school)
   • 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 your application for NGEAP is approved your name will appear on an online roster that we have access to in the Veterans Services Office. The Veterans Services Coordinator will award NGEAP funds on your DMACC account equal to the cost of your tuition (not including fees). If the NGEAP award results in a credit balance on your DMACC account (example - you are receiving Federal Tuition Assistance and NGEAP) the NGEAP funds will be refunded to you in accordance with DMACC refund policy. Generally refunds are disbursed approximately 2 weeks into the semester and every Wednesday thereafter. You would then be able to apply NGEAP funds towards other costs of attendance which may include books, living expenses, gas, etc.

If you reduce the number of credit hours you are registered for within the drop period, NGEAP will be adjusted. If you received a refund of NGEAP funds it may result in a balance due to DMACC. For specific information about how reducing credit hours affects NGEAP please contact the Veterans Services Office by selecting the Contact Us button on the left menu.