I'm going to try to keep this simple.
Go to https://minuteman.ngb.army.mil/Benefits/Unsecured/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/benefits/. You will need a CAC card a CAC card reader an AKO account and your course names, numbers, and cost per credit hour (If you are a USD student, you can find this information at the University of South Dakota (USD) web portal, it is located on the class info and schedules box within the Med tab). Once you have entered your CAC card pin, you will be directed to the ARNG National Guard Benefits Online web page.
At the top of the page, click APPLY FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE.
Fill out the form. You will need to enter your course numbers, course names and cost of attendance. The USD fees are not broken down by credit hour, so do your best to approximate a credit hour charge (as long as your over $4,500, which you will be, you'll be alloted the full $4,500). This should start the process, you will recieve an e-mail from your State Education Assistance Officer to verify that your application has been received and validated. Important note, I just realized today (2/14/2010) that my instructions need a modification: You must have at least 18 credits listed on your FTA form to qualify for the full $4,500 (FTA is awarded at a rate of $250 per credit hour). I made a mistake in listing too few credits, mainly because I wanted to be as honest in possible, and didn't feel it was necessary to add credits that began at the start of the year (or would begin later in the spring) since I had exceeded the $4,500 limit. Bottom line, since many medical school curriculum are not on the semester system, just add all of your coursework to each application.
Since you are a medical student, and school is more expensive than undergrad, you will use all of your tuition assistance up within the first semester. This does not mean that you don't have to fill out the application come your second semester. Why?: You may be eligible for state aid, therefore it is imperative that you fill out the application within 30 days of each"traditional" semester start time. Understandably, since you are a medical student, you likely aren't on the semester system, for this reason, just enter the coursework that you are currently enrolled in, or plan to complete within the time frame of each FTA application.
If you have questions about the form, look through the FTA Application "cheat sheet", provided below (Provided by MSG Alan Meyer NGSD).
Assuming you joined the guard before medical school, you will need to fill out the FTA form within 30 days of starting school.
If you need further information, it would be best to contact your Tuition Manager. His or her information will be located at the tuition assistance website.
If you attend USD, you will need to submit grades to SSG Chris Montileaux (chris.montileaux@us.army.mil,) and MSG Alan Meyer (alan.meyer@us.army.mil no more than 30 days after completion of any course.
Grades do not have to be official. A screen shot from web advisor should suffice.
Good luck,
Matt
PS. Please note: All officers who accept FTA affirm their agreement to the Active Duty Service Obligation (ADSO) or Reserve Duty Service Obligation (RDSO) requirements, whichever applies, as stipulated in this paragraph. All Active Duty officers and commissioned warrant officers (including ARNG AGR officers) receiving FTA agree to complete at least two years of additional Active Duty service commencing upon the ending date of the last class for which FTA was received. All Selected Reserve officers and commissioned warrant officers receiving FTA agree to complete at least four years of additional Selected Reserve Duty service commencing upon the ending date of the last class for which FTA was received. Enlisted Soldiers, warrant officers, and TPU warrant officers (without commissions) must have sufficient time remaining in their term of service to complete the class/s, including Distance Learning courses, for which FTA was received before their ETS unless involuntarily separated.