Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance

To be eligible for ONGSTA, students must meet all criteria below:

• Complete military basic training.
• Be a member of the Oregon National Guard and not currently the subject of any adverse actions under the provisions of any Army, Air Force or National Guard Regulations.
• Be currently drilling and attending all scheduled unit training assemblies and annual training periods.
• Not have achieved a baccalaureate degree or higher.
• Not be in default on any federal Title IV loan or owe a refund on federal Title IV funds previously disbursed, unless the institution disbursing funds determines that the student has made satisfactory arrangements to repay and has regained federal eligibility.
• Be enrolled and in good standing* in an:
  
  • Associate degree granting program or
  • Undergraduate baccalaureate degree granting program at an eligible institution, or
  • An undergraduate certificate program at an eligible institution.

* Good standing is maintaining a 2.0 GPA or meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress for Title IV funding requirements.

Award Amount Calculation

The ONGSTA will be calculated based on DoD FTA or MilTA funds being applied towards a student’s tuition balance first before calculating ONGSTA award funds. Tuition will be based on the schools in-state tuition resident rate. Tuition rates for eligible private postsecondary institutions are listed below. 

Additionally, certain fees will be funded by the ONGSTA program. The fee amounts are calculated on the average fees charged to all students depending on which type of school the student is attending.

Award amounts for 2023-24 will be determined in summer 2023 once colleges complete reporting their cost of attendance data to OSAC.

The fee amounts for each type of school for the 2022-23 academic year were:

• Oregon Community Colleges: $361 per term
• Oregon Public Universities including OHSU: $716 per term
• Eligible Oregon Private Colleges: $526 per semester term, $351 per quarter term

A book allowance will also be provided by the ONGSTA program. The rate of payment will be based on a per-credit hour up to $1,000 per academic year. For the 2022-23 academic year the rate per credit hour for quarter term-based schools was $28 per credit hour, for semester term based schools it was $42 per credit hour.

For eligible Oregon-based private institutions, awards are calculated based on the average in-state tuition rate among the seven Oregon public universities and to not exceed $247 per credit (in 2022-23), minus any DoD Federal Tuition Assistance grants.

All U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs education benefits can be used concurrently with the ONGSTA program, and these benefits are not counted into the ONGSTA award calculation. However, they Post 9/11 GI Bill* is affected by ONGSTA funds. If you are using the Post 9/11 GI Bill*, please contact your schools VA School Certifying Official for additional details

*The GI Bill is a registered trade mark of the US Department of Veterans Affairs

Fund Disbursement

After your application is processed and schools notify us of the amount of your award, ONGSTA funds will be disbursed (sent) to your college or your university's Business Office.

Neither OSAC nor the Oregon National Guard have control over the time it takes your school to apply your funds to your student account. Some Oregon schools apply ONGSTA funds to your account at the beginning of the term and others wait until course drop deadlines have passed. Additionally, some schools may be short-staffed or closed during certain holiday or break periods and may take longer to apply your ONGSTA funds. Please contact your school regarding receipt of your funds before you contact OSAC or the Oregon National Guard.

The maximum credit count is calculated by using the student’s previous completed credit hours (transfer credits) in addition to the earned institutional credits that only apply towards the students specific declared program will be counted towards the maximum allowable completed credit hour limit.

• 90 credits at Oregon community colleges
• 180 quarter credits (or equivalent semester credits) at an Oregon public university, Oregon Health and Science University, or an eligible private postsecondary institution

• Sign and return the financial aid award letter when you receive it from your school, or accept your award online if that is your school's preference.
• If you decide to change schools, or have an address, telephone number, or email change after completing the ONGSTA application, notify OSAC by visiting your Student Profile and updating your ONGSTA application.
• Keep a copy of your application and any additional correspondence you receive.
• If you do not receive your financial aid award letter in a timely manner, contact the financial aid office at your school.
• If you receive correspondence from the Oregon National Guard, OSAC, or your school requesting additional information from you, please respond promptly.

• Scholarship Opportunity for Oregon National Guard and Reserve Members: The Darlene Hooley Scholarship

Students must complete both steps to apply for ONGSTA:

• Create an OSAC Student Portal account and submit the ONGSTA application
• Submit the FAFSA

Students must create a Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) account, and click on "Get Started."

In order to create the account, students will need to have their military Common Access Card (CAC) and CAC reader and verify that their phone number and email are correct.

After the FTA account is created, students must complete the steps below:

• Create Educational Goal (school and degree program)
• Complete annual Virtual Training
• Request FTA for each course every term up to 60 days prior to course start date, but no less than 7 days prior

For additional FTA information, please contact Ann Browning at the Oregon Army National Guard Education Office: ann.m.browning.civ@army.mil or 971-355-4278

For questions concerning Oregon Army National Guard military eligibility for ONGSTA, please contact Sara McKeever at the Oregon Army National Guard Education Office at sara.e.mckeever.civ@army.mil or the office directly ng.or.orarng.list.g1-education@army.mil / 971-355-4281

Cadet Commanders must submit a memorandum to the National Guard Education Office, stating that you are officially enrolled as a cadet in good standing at your college. Failure to do so, may cause a delay or denial of ONGSTA.

For questions concerning your Oregon Air National Guard military eligibility requirements for ONGSTA, please contact your respective wing Force Development Office listed below:

• 142 FSS/Force Development Office: MSgt Paul Freimark, paul.freimark@us.af.mil / 503-335-4050
• 173 FSF/Force Development Office: SMSgt Justin Wright, 541-885-6306 or TSgt Tiffany McCollam, 541-885-6632 or 173FW.EducationTeam@us.af.mil 

Additional ONGSTA contact information: CMSgt Sarah Chiapetto, State A1 Senior Enlisted Leader, sarah.chiapetto@us.af.mil 

For students who in an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) status for 90 days or more, they must apply and accept Military Tuition Assistance (MilTA) as a requirement to receive ONGSTA. To validate MilTA eligibility and submit a request, students need to contact their Wing's Force Development Office.