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Funding your higher education at Southeast Missouri State University has never been easier! By serving in the Missouri Army National Guard, you’ll gain access to some of the best education benefits available.
The Missouri State Tuition Assistance (TA) Program was established in 1998 by Missouri House Bills 1519 & 1165, Section 173.239. State TA pays 100% of tuition fees for up to 39 credit hours annually (Note: General fees, technology fees, etc. are not included in TA). Over the course of 4 years (150 credit hours for a BS) this benefit could total over $41,000. Soldiers are eligible to receive State TA immediately upon enlistment for classes with a starting date of at least one day later. Service Members are also granted in-state tuition rates.
Soldiers who meet the one year requirement after completion of AIT, BOLC, or OCS are eligible to receive Federal TA at the rate of $250 per credit hour up to 15 credit hours annually (capped at $4,000 for undergraduate degrees). Federal TA may also be saved for graduate level courses if not used for an undergraduate degree.
Members of the Show-Me GOLD Program are eligible to receive up to $3,000 annually towards the cost of on-campus housing.
Imagine leaving college debt free! Qualified applicants who enlist into the Missouri Army National Guard with this incentive can get up to $50,000 in Student Loan Repayment on qualifying federal loans. The best part is that you may be able to add additional qualifying loans you take out after enlistment if your pre-enlistment total is less than $50,000!
Soldiers of the Missouri Army National Guard serve one weekend a month (typically just Saturday and Sunday) and earn pay for their time. Pay starts out at $218.44 / month and is based on rank and time in service (E-1 < 1 year service) Members of the Show-Me GOLD Program conveniently report for their monthly drill on-campus and the drill calendar is set up around SEMO's events and scheduled breaks! (Calculate)
Soldiers in the Missouri Army National Guard are required to perform a minimum of two weeks of annual training (AT) per year. Members of the Show-Me GOLD Program conduct AT in May, immediately followng final exams to allow for summers off! This two-week period is a culminating event that allows Officer Candidates to utilize the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the semester. During this time, they are evaluated on their leadership abilities and their proficiency at using the 8 steps of the Troop Leading Procedures to accomplish a variety of tasks alongside members of the four other Show-Me GOLD Programs from across the state. AT Pay starts out at $764.54 and is based on rank and time in service (E1 < 1 year service). (Calculate)
Qualified applicants who enlist into the Missouri Army National Guard with this incentive can receive enlistment bonuses up to $20,000, which is paid out according to individual contracts, after the completion of all initial entry training.
Learn a military occupation that may translate into a great civilian career or broaden your horizons and make you more marketable to a future employer. Our paid job training will make sure you are financially sound. Earn up to $2,000 a month while in initial entry training, and $2,800 a month while in Officer Candidate School. Plus earn college credits based on the training you complete by sending in your Joint Service Transcript after all initial training is completed!
The Missouri Army National Guard is committed to investing in the education of its future leaders. This has led to the creation of unprecedented policies to ensure that Members of the Show-Me GOLD Program are non-deployable while attending Southeast Missouri State University for the duration of their college degree (to include final semesters after completion of Officer Candidate School).
TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan available worldwide for qualified National Guard Service Members and their families. Individual plans cost only $48 per month while family plans cost $217 per month. That is roughly 1/2 or even 1/3 of the price of healthcare plans offered by civilian employers.
TRICARE Dental Program is also offered to National Guard Service Members and their families. Individual plans cost only $8 per month while family plans cost $18 per month.
Service Member Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Family Service Members' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)
The Missouri Army National Guard offers two varieties of Retirement Options, depending on the Service Member's date of enlistment:
Crystal M. Cecil-Sevier
573.616.5694
crystal.m.cecilsevier.mil@mail.mil
Kristina N. McGuire
573.680.4562
Brandt Hall, Room 108
573.651.2427
1 University Plaza, MS 7980
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701