New York National Guard Education Services

You may be eligible for college tuition assistance
up to SUNY rates!

The Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP) is a New York State program designed to recruit and retain members for the State Military Forces (Army and Air National Guard, and Naval Militia). This competitive program will pay the cost of tuition up to SUNY tuition rates per semester.

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The following are basic RIRP eligibility requirements:

• Be in good standing with the State Military Forces (attend or make-up all drills and annual training)
• Be accepted and enrolled in an undergraduate degree-granting program for a minimum of six (6) credit hours per semester or four (4) credit hours per quarter
• Be a resident of the State of New York for a period of 186 days prior to using the program, excluding Active Duty periods

** For complete eligibility requirements, see DMNA Regulation 621-1

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To apply for the RIRP, a Service Member must:

1. Read and complete the RIRP MOU and DMNA Form 96-1 in accordance with DMNA Regulation 621-1
   • Application must be signed either by CAC or by creating a digital signature
   • Contact the New York State Tuition Assistance Program Manager for assistance
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) (Pell Grant). Obtain FAFSA Submission Summary (all pages) as proof of PELL approval or denial
3. Complete the application for Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Obtain TAP Award Certificate or take a screenshot of the current academic year TAP award page
4. Provide proof of enrollment/degree verification by submitting a copy of an unofficial transcript from the school. The following information must be visible on the transcript (applicants' name, credits for each course and semester)
5. Submit all documents from 1, 2, 3 & 4 to your Unit Administrator (UA) or the appropriate Education Service Representative
   • Army National Guard Members:
     • Email packet to: ng.ny.nyarng.mbx.rirpny@army.mil
   • Air National Guard Members:
     • Email packet to: ng.ny.nyang.mbx.state-ta-program@army.mil
   • Naval Militia Members:
     • Follow the instructions on the New York Naval Militia Education Benefits page

Applications must be received by the appropriate Education Service Representative by:

• 15 August for the Fall semester
• 15 December for the Spring semester

• Applications will not be accepted after these deadlines
• A new application with a current date must be submitted each semester

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Contact your Education Service Representative for more information:

• Army National Guard
  Email: ng.ny.nyarng.mbx.rirpny@army.mil
  Phone: 518-786-0466
• Air National Guard
  Email: ng.ny.nyarng.mbx.state-ta-program@army.mil
• New York Naval Militia
  Email: ng.ny.nyarng.mbx.nynavalmilitia@army.mil
  Phone: 518-786-4583

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OTHER LINKS AND INFORMATION:

• The State University of New York Home page
• The City University of New York Home page