The Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarship is for the full-time Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) student who is entering his junior year of college. The GRFD scholarship provides the student two years of full tuition assistance, pays mandatory fees and, as of 2010, a $400-a-month stipend for the first year and a $500-a-month stipend for the last year. The student must also be enlisted with her local Army National Guard unit while in school and participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). Enrollment in the SMP allows the student to participate in ROTC while still serving in the Army National Guard. The GRFD scholarship also pays, as of 2010, $1,200 for books and about $225 a month for sergeant drill pay.
The Dedicated Army National Guard (DEDNG) scholarship is for the full-time student seeking a professional degree from an accredited academic institution. The recipient must be a U.S. citizen, have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5, have a minimum score of 920 on the SAT or 19 on the ACT, complete the ROTC Basic Course requirements or Army Basic Training and be able to pass a medical and physical background check. Students must also participate in the SMP and be enlisted in their local Army National Guard unit. The DEDNG pays two years of full tuition assistance, mandatory fees and $1,200 for books and supplies. The student is also provided a monthly stipend and sergeant drill pay, the same as the GRFD. The student may qualify for an additional $350 a month, as of 2010, if eligible for Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), called the "SMP kicker."
The Army National Guard Federal Tuition Assistance program provides part-time ARNG soldiers academic financial assistance. If funding is available, the student may use the FTA to obtain a masters degree. As of 2010 the ARNG FTA pays 100% tuition and up to $500 toward academic fees per semester, not exceeding $4,500 a year. The FTA scholarship may be used in conjunction with Pell Grants and the MGIB. To qualify students must be enrolled in an accredited public or private college, university, technical or trade school, take courses during off-duty hours and remain in the ARNG during the term of the courses.