TN STRONG & FTA

Tennessee STRONG Act

The Tennessee STRONG Act is a reimbursement program for members of the TN National Guard to obtain funding towards a first bachelor’s or master’s degree. If you have signed a 6-year contract and are actively drilling, we encourage you to apply to utilize this benefit.

Prior to the application, soldiers must apply for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) in order to act in accordance with regulations put in place by the Tennessee National Guard. The section on FTA can be found further down this page. You can also obtain more information about FTA by visiting HERE.

Below are the eligibility requirements in order to receive TN STRONG Act funding. 

• Be currently serving in the Tennessee National Guard
• Be in good standing with the TNNG
• Have not attained a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree
• Have not attained a graduate degree and wish to pursue a graduate degree
• Attend a Tennessee college of applied technology (TCAT), regionally accredited community college, 4-year public university, or private school whose primary campus is located in TN
• Use Federal Tuition Assistance (if eligible)
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress with 2.0 GPA minimum for undergraduate programs or a 3.0 GPA for graduate programs for the academic term for which TN STRONG Act tuition reimbursement is being requested. For members seeking a certificate or diploma from a vocational or technical program at a public or private educational institution, satisfactory academic progress and either a minimum grade point average of 2.0, or academic good standing, as determined by the institution, if grade point averages are not utilized by the institution, are required to be eligible for reimbursement.
• Application packets are required to be completed within 45 days of course completion.
• The funded course(s) meets a requirement listed in your personalized degree plan provided by the school (this can include prerequisite courses).
• Sign a release statement to authorize communication between the State TA Managers and chosen postsecondary institution on Service Member’s behalf.

As a last-dollar reimbursement, the amount of state tuition reimbursement is offset by any other funds received. This includes any other state and federal aid including Pell Grant, TSAA award, HOPE scholarship, and any other tuition-specific scholarship; institutional or otherwise. The tuition reimbursement will be made to the educational institution on behalf of an eligible member for no more than 120 credit hours toward a first-time bachelor’s degree or 40 graduate credit hours toward a master’s degree.

Step-by-Step TN STRONG Act Application

Note: The Office of Military & Veteran Services will submit a TN STRONG Act application on your behalf provided you complete the following steps: 

• Consult your faculty advisor and register for classes for the upcoming semester. Classes must be in accordance with your declared degree plan
• Army NG ONLY: If you have not exhausted your FTA (16 credit hours/fiscal year), apply for and submit an FTA request for each individual course that you want FTA to fund. You must submit your request at least 5 business days prior to the course start date. *Print or save proof of submission to include in your TN STRONG application 
• Complete Section I & II (personal information) and pages 3-5 of the TN STRONG application packets.
  • Postsecondary Institution Name: Carson-Newman University
  • Postsecondary Institution POC: Patricia Bivens (865) 471-4089 or pbivens@cn.edu
• Submit your application packet to your Commander for review and completion of Section III
• Submit completed application packet to Carson-Newman school certifying official (SCO) for completion of Section IV
  • Submit by email to militaryservices@cn.edu or by hand to the Registrar’s Office
  • Once we have these documents, we will add the SECTION IV page to the application and submit it on your behalf to the appropriate TN STRONG Act manager.

Please make sure to sign, initial, and date wherever required (including getting your unit/squadron Commander’s signature). Any missing information may result in your application packet being rejected in its entirety.

The application packet can be found below:

When the term is completed and final grades are posted, the SCO will complete and submit Section VII on your behalf.

• Service Member will be cc’d on the email submission

For any questions regarding your TN STRONG Act benefits, please reach out to one of the contacts below:

• Army Guard: SFC Stephen Biase at 615-313-0737
• Air Guard: MSgt Joseph Wilson at 615-313-0849

Federal Tuition Assistance

The Army’s Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) program is a benefit for all individuals who serve in the Army, either as Active, Guard or as a Reservist. The maximum amount paid for Federal Tuition Assistance is up to $250 per semester hour, up to either 18 semester hours annually or not to exceed $4,500 per fiscal year (updated 11 DEC 2024). Current Army policy limits TA to 130 semester hours of undergraduate credit or baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first and 39 semester hours of graduate credit or the completion of a master’s degree, whichever comes first. The 39-semester hour limit applies to all credits taken after completion of a baccalaureate degree. 

The deadline for FTA is ten days prior to the first day of the term and the application opens 60 days before the term begins.

If you are planning on using the TN Strong Act and you fail to apply for FTA it could result in the reduction in funding from the TN Strong Act by the amount that would have been applied from FTA.

How to Apply for Tuition Assistance

FIRST TIME users of FTA:

• New as of 11 Dec 2024: first time TA users must complete ArmyIgnitED 101 training (provided by your Army Education Center) AND you must use the Career Path Decide decision support tool to request TA.

ESTABLISHED USER click here

ALL USERS: Providing documentation to the university

• Once your Tuition Assistance Request (TAR) has been approved on ArmyIgnitED, you will see a print button at the bottom right on your tuition request screen.
• Print the document (DA Form 7792-SG), scan it and send a copy via email to militaryservices@cn.edu  as proof that your FTA has been approved.
• The amount on this form is then entered by Student Accounts on your account to show you will be receiving FTA for the semester.

**NOTE: if you are having any issues signing into ArmyIgnitED with your CAC card, contact their help desk at 276-231-0938. There are real live people there that will help you!