Michigan National Guard
State Tuition Assistance Program
www.michigan.gov/mingstap
STAP Highlights
– Administered through DMVA-State Operations Office
– Appropriated $4,742,100 in FY 15
– State legislature appropriates funds annually. Assistance is
awarded based on the availability of funds.
– Reimbursement program
– Authorized uses: Vocational training programs, Certificate
programs, Associates, Bachelors, Masters or first professional
degree
– Can be used alongside Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA), the
Post 9-11 GI Bill and the Pell Grant but cannot exceed 100% of
the cost of tuition and eligible fees.
– FTA payments must be applied prior to STAP.
– ROTC scholarships applied against tuition will be calculated first
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Eligibility Requirements
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Active drilling members in "Good Standing" with Michigan Army & Air
National Guard
Enlisted (E1-E9), Officers (O1-O5) and Warrant Officers (WO1-CW5); Air
Guard Trainee awaiting Basic or Technical Training assignment and ROTC
Cadets contracted under the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
“Eligible educational institution” which means a public or private college,
university, vocational school, technical school, or trade school located in the
State of Michigan
Courses taken online or on a campus at any eligible institution located in
Michigan, or off-duty courses taken through the Air University are eligible
“Course of study” means an individual class, or group of classes, in which an
eligible person is enrolled for the purpose of obtaining a not-yet-completed
certificate, associate, bachelor, master or professional degree
Expiration of Term of Service (ETS) or Mandatory Retirement Date (MRD)
must occur after the official last day of class
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Assistance
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Part-time or full-time students
Undergraduate or graduate Studies, Certificate programs
Up to $4,500 per academic year which includes 100% of eligible fees at an
eligible institution
$250 per semester hour
$167 per quarter hour
$16.66 per clock hour
Up to 144 credits for an Undergraduate degree lifetime cap
Up to 42 credits for a Graduate degree lifetime cap
Continuing Education courses are not eligible
Incomplete, dropped or failed courses are ineligible for reimbursement; STAP
will not pay for the same course twice regardless of the grade received
Grade report and final fee statement must be received at the end of the
course to initiate the payment process. Once passing grades have been
certified, payments are then disbursed to the service member
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How To Apply
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Service members must apply for STAP through www.michigan.gov/mingstap up to 60 days
before and no later than 14 days after the course start date
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Exceptions are being made for Fall 2014 due to delays in program start-up
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An Application Checklist for all required documents is available
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Service members must submit a signed Statement of Understanding (SOU) with each
application. Soldiers do not need their commander's signature. By signing the SOU
document they agree to the terms of the STAP. Airmen must have their commander's
signature in addition to their own
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STAP is requested by term and reimbursed on a course-by-course basis
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The service member will be notified whether their application is approved or not. If the
request is denied, the service member will be notified of the reason why and next steps
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STAP must be notified in writing of all drops/withdrawals. Service members who do not
successfully complete a class will not be reimbursed. Service members who are unable to
successfully complete a class due to military reasons must request an exception to policy
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STAP will issue a written funding authorization letter to the student
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Payment Process
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Final fee statement - Must be dated after course completion and provided by the
institution. It must clearly show the amount of tuition charged and must include all
other benefits paid, or pending payment, directly to the institution on the Service
Member’s behalf. If the fee statement does not clearly show the amount of tuition
charged or other federal payments, the student must obtain a letter from the institution
that includes this information and lists a point of contact at the institution
Grades - Student must achieve a letter grade of “C” or better, “Pass” or “Satisfactory”
and maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. STAP
will not reimburse for any course(s) from which the student has withdrawn or received a
failing grade.
Vocational, technical or trade school - must submit the pass/fail documentation or a
certificate of completion provided at the end of the course
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Michigan National Guard Applicants are responsible for emailing the STAP Office an unofficial
transcript including GPA, hours completed and final fee statement within 45 calendar days after the
end of the course/term to verify passing grades and initiate payment.
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Documents should be sent to State Operations at mingstap@michigan.gov
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Payments will be disbursed to the soldier/airman within 10 business days after the
transcript and final fee statement has been received
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FTA v. STAP
(STAP fills the gaps)
Federal Tuition Assistance
(FTA)
State Tuition Assistance
(STAP)
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Up to $250/credit hour
Up to $250/credit hour
Up to $4,500
Applied after FTA
Up to 16 credit hours
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Does not pay any fees
Up-front payment to school
Recoups money for grades less than:
“C” for undergraduate courses
“B” for graduate courses
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Eligibility:
New soldiers: 1 year after AIT or BOLC
Masters’ students: 10 years time in service
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Lifetime cap:
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Pays course related fees
Reimbursement to student
Reimburses for grades:
“C” for undergraduate courses
“C” for graduate courses
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Eligibility:
Upon enlistment
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Lifetime cap:
144 undergraduate hours
42 graduate hours
130 undergraduate hours
39 graduate hours
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Service Obligation
Officers incur 4-year service obligation
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Service Obligation:
No additional service obligation incurred, however must have
contracted for a 6 year obligation at least once in their
career
Question
Answer
How much does MING-STAP pay?
$250 per semester hour
$167 per quarter hour
$16.66 per clock hour
$4,500 per fiscal year
How do I apply?
Go to www.michigan.gov/mingstap
Complete Statement of Understanding (SOU),
Application and W-9
Email documents to mingstap@michigan.gov
When are applications due?
No more than 60 days prior to class start date
No later than 14 days after class start date
Can MING-STAP be used to pay for books?
No
What degrees and skill training may I earn
using MING-STAP?
Associate, Bachelors, Masters or First Professional
degree and certificates
How many credits will MING-STAP pay for?
Can I use MING-STAP for a second degree?
Up to 144 credits for an Undergraduate degree.
Up to 42 credits for a Graduate degree
No, Soldiers pursuing a lateral or lower degree are
not eligible for MING-STAP
Questions ??
Website: www.michigan.gov/mingstap
Email: mingstap@michigan.gov
For additional information please see our Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ) .pdf