Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant

The Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA), is a state-funded higher education benefit established in 1977 under Wisconsin Statute § 321.40. It is designed to assist members of the Wisconsin National Guard with the costs associated with postsecondary education. The grant supports undergraduate coursework including professional certificates, associate’s degrees, and studies leading up to the first baccalaureate degree. Eligible service members must be enrolled at qualifying schools and meet a set of academic and service-based eligibility criteria. The grant can be used at institutions meeting the statutory definition of a "qualifying school." This includes campuses of the University of Wisconsin System, accredited institutions within Wisconsin, technical colleges in Wisconsin, and select public institutions in other states with approved interstate higher education agreements. Students can use the benefit for up to 8.0 full-time academic terms or a maximum of 120 credits of part-time study, and it can be applied to full-time or part-time terms. Benefit usage is calculated based on credit hours and the academic calendar structure of the school (quarterly or non-quarterly). Tuition support is limited to the lesser of the student's tuition after financial aid is applied or the equivalent in-state resident tuition rate at UW Madison for a comparable program and number of credits. The benefit excludes fees and is strictly based on tuition charges. School Certifying Officials (SCOs) play a critical role in confirming enrollment and assessing program equivalency to UW Madison majors. The amount awarded per academic term is adjusted based on enrollment status (full- or part-time) and tuition charged. To apply, students must use the online portal, which replaces the previously used DMA Form 6189. Applications must be submitted no earlier than 90 days before and no later than 90 days after the academic term ends. For terms beginning after November 7, 2025, paper applications will no longer be accepted. Applications submitted before the end of an academic term require a recertification process after term conclusion to ensure continued eligibility. The eligibility determination process involves the student’s academic institution, the National Guard Education Office, and local child support agencies. Applicants must be actively drilling members of the Wisconsin National Guard, not commissioned officers, in good standing, and not receiving the Wisconsin VetEd benefit for the same term. They must also demonstrate satisfactory academic progress and not be delinquent in child support payments. Payment is issued directly to the qualifying institution within 30 days of a completed application and cannot exceed the capped amount. For questions, applicants are encouraged to contact the DMA Tuition Grant Administrator via email at wingtuitiongrant@widma.gov or by phone at 608-242-3159. The grant recurs annually and is expected to follow a consistent cycle, with the next application portal cycle opening in November 2025. Recoupment may apply if eligibility lapses during or after a funded term.

Apply early in the term to avoid deadline issues; eligibility recertified post-term if submitted before end date; confirm school is a qualifying institution