FTA - How Do I Apply?

FTA requests are made through ArmyIgnitED.

Soldiers with questions can contact their assigned State Education Service Specialist directly or submit a help desk ticket to the ArmyIgnitED ServiceNow.

To start the process, follow the steps below:

IMPORTANT: As of 1 October 2024, all Soldiers who have not previously used ArmyIgnitED to request FTA must complete ArmyIgnitED 101 training before their education goal can be approved.

After reviewing the training, Soldiers must send a message to their education counselor via ArmyIgnitED stating they completed the training.

Soldiers can watch the training on YouTube, download and review on LinkedIn or nationalguard.com

IMPORTANT: As of 11 December 2024, all Soldiers who have not previously used ArmyIgnitED to request FTA must also complete Career Path Decide (CPD) before their education goal can be approved. After completing CPD, Soldiers must copy and paste their CPD results in their ArmyIgnitED account. A link to CPD is in ArmyIgnitED or can be accessed at: https://careerpathdecide.org/ 

• Step 1.  Go to ArmyIgnitED and sign in with your CAC card. 

• Step 2.  Once the student account is established, select the education goal. Select education level, school and degree you want to pursue. 

• Step 3.  Once your education goal has been approved by your ESO/ESS, click on the Virtual Benefits Training link; after that is completed, click on TA Requests and issue funding. 

• Step 4.  Your assigned education counselor will review your tuition assistance request (TAR) and approve or reject it. You will receive an email stating the status of the TAR and the steps to follow, if necessary. 

• Step 5.  Register with your school.
  
  Note: An evaluated degree plan/audit is required after requesting TA funding for 2 courses in ArmyIgnitED. All drops/withdrawals must take place through ArmyIgnitED. Soldiers who do not successfully complete a class will be required to repay the TA. Soldiers who are unable to successfully complete a class due to military reasons must request a Withdrawal for Military Reasons (now called a recoupment waiver).

If assistance is required, you can send a message directly to your assigned counselor in the system or reach out to your Education Services Officer outside of the system.

FTA can be a huge help in driving down the cost of your education, but also be sure to ask your state education office for other benefits and programs they provide National Guard Soldiers—some include full in-state tuition.