State Education Benefit Program

The Oklahoma National Guard State Education Benefits Program supports eligible Service Members pursuing higher education and, when eligibility requirements are met, provides options to transfer qualifying benefits to dependents. The Educational Assistance Program (EAP) assists with resident tuition and approved fees for associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. The CareerTech Assistance Program is intended to support certification and licensure training at Oklahoma technology centers; however, it is not currently funded.

Educational Assistance Program (Service Member)

The benefit will be awarded to an OKNG member in programs leading to an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. Benefits will not be awarded for programs leading to a certificate, continuing education courses, or CareerTech courses. The amount of benefits shall be equivalent to the amount of resident tuition, and approved mandatory fees, program fees, academic service fees, and any other fees for courses which the OKNG member is enrolled. The OKNG member is responsible for all other fees not applicable to EAP; e.g., special course fees, student activity fees, facility fees, assessment fees, textbooks, and room and board, etc.

Apply Now for EAP

State Education Assistance Transfer

The OKNG Adjutant General may permit a qualifying OKNG member to elect to transfer his or her Education Benefit Programs EBP benefits to one or more of his or her dependents (spouse or child), as defined in state law (House Bill 3940).

OKNG member Eligibility for Transfer of EAP Benefits:
OKNG members may transfer one CareerTech certification or licensure to an eligible dependent enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).  The OKNG member must transfer eligible benefits prior to Expiration Term of Service (ETS), Mandatory Removal Date (MRD)/Mandatory Separation Date (MSD) or Retirement.

OKNG members who were discharged prior to November 1, 2026, from the OKNG, are not eligible to transfer benefits.  At any time, the Service Member can reallocate, or revoke transferred benefits to his or her eligible dependents. OKNG members must meet EBP eligibility prior to transferring.  To qualify to transfer benefits, an OKNG member must meet one of the following requirements at the time the transfer request is approved:

  1. Have completed at least six (6) years of service and agree to serve for four (4) additional years OR
  2. Have completed twenty (20) or more years of service.
  3. The service requirements in paragraphs 1. and 2. do not apply if the qualified member is a Purple Heart recipient; however, such a recipient must request the transfer while still actively drilling in the OKNG.

Dependent Eligibility and Use of EAP Benefits.

  1. Eligible dependents must be enrolled in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
  2. Spouse: A spouse of a qualifying OKNG member may use the transferred benefits at any time with no time limitations
  3. Children: A dependent child of a qualifying OKNG member may start to use the benefits after the OKNG member has completed at least ten years of service and such benefits may be used while on active duty or after separation from service under the following provisions:
    1. The child has received a high school diploma or equivalent, OR be at least eighteen years of age; AND
    2. The child is less than twenty-six (26) years of age.
Apply Now for SEAT

Career Tech Assistance Program (Service Member) (Not Currently Funded)

The benefit will be awarded to an OKNG member in programs at an Oklahoma technology center that led to a certification or licensure. Benefits shall not be allowed for courses taken in excess of the requirements for program completion not to exceed three years. The amount of assistance shall be equivalent to the amount of tuition for a career and technology program in which the eligible OKNG member enrolled. 

CTAP Applications Opening Soon - Pending Funding

CareerTech Assistance Program Transfer (Not Currently Funded)


OKNG member Eligibility for Transfer CareerTech Benefits (Not Funded):

OKNG members may transfer one CareerTech certification or licensure to an eligible dependent enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).  The OKNG member must transfer eligible benefits prior to Expiration Term of Service (ETS), Mandatory Removal Date (MRD)/Mandatory Separation Date (MSD) or Retirement.

OKNG members who were discharged prior to November 1, 2026, from the OKNG, are not eligible to transfer benefits.  At any time, the Service Member can reallocate, or revoke transferred benefits to his or her eligible dependents. OKNG members must meet EBP eligibility prior to transferring.  To qualify to transfer benefits, an OKNG member must meet one of the following requirements at the time the transfer request is approved:
  1. Have completed at least six (6) years of service and agree to serve for four (4) additional years OR
  2. Have completed twenty (20) or more years of service.
  3. The service requirements in paragraphs 1. and 2. do not apply if the qualified member is a Purple Heart recipient; however, such a recipient must request the transfer while still actively drilling in the OKNG.
Dependent Eligibility and Use of CareerTech Benefits.
  1. Eligible dependents must be enrolled in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
  2. Spouse: A spouse of a qualifying OKNG member may use the benefits if the qualifying member is on active duty or separated from service.
  3. Children: A dependent child of a qualifying OKNG member may start to use the benefits once transferred if:
    1. Have received a high school diploma or equivalent, OR be at least eighteen years of age; AND
    2. Be less than twenty-six (26) years of age.

  CTAP Transfer Coming Soon - Pending Funding

Frequently Asked Questions

 

General Questions


What education benefit programs are available for the Oklahoma National Guard?
The document outlines two main programs:
  1. Educational Assistance Program (EAP): For members pursuing an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree at an accredited public college or university in Oklahoma.
  2. CareerTech Assistance Program: For members seeking a certification or license at a state technology center school. (Please note: The document states this program is currently not funded).
Who is eligible for these state education benefits?
To be eligible, a service member must:
  • Be an actively drilling member of the Oklahoma National Guard (OKNG) in good standing.
  • Not be flagged for any reason (e.g., for failing to meet weight/height or physical fitness standards).
  • Have a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.
  • Have at least one year remaining on their enlistment contract at the start of the semester.
  • Agree in writing to serve for an additional 24 months in the OKNG after the last semester for which assistance is received.

Educational Assistance Program (EAP)


What costs does the EAP cover?
The EAP provides a scholarship that covers resident tuition, mandatory fees, and most academic service fees. It does not cover special course fees, student activity fees, facility fees, textbooks, or room and board.
What are the academic requirements for the EAP?
Members must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for undergraduate studies and 3.0 for graduate studies.
Are there limits to the EAP benefits?
Yes, the EAP is limited to:
  • A maximum of eighteen (18) credit hours per semester.
  • A lifetime maximum of 120 credit hours for a bachelor's degree.
  • A lifetime maximum of 40 credit hours for a master's degree.
    Benefits can only be used to pursue a higher degree than one already holds (up to a master's).

Application and Deadlines


How do I apply for education benefits?
The process involves two main steps each semester:
  1. Submit a "Service Member Certification Form," signed by you and your commander, to the education incentives email address.
  2. After the form is processed, complete the online application at https://ok.ng.mil/education/.
What are the application deadlines?
  • Fall Semester: April 1 – July 31
  • Spring Semester: October 1 – December 31
  • CareerTech: At least 60 days before the course start date.
    Applications submitted after the deadline will not be funded for that semester.


Transfer of Benefits (SEAT Program)


Can I transfer my education benefits to my dependents?
Yes, the State Education Assistance Transfer (SEAT) program allows qualifying members to transfer their EAP or CareerTech benefits to an eligible spouse or child.

Who is eligible to transfer benefits?
To transfer benefits, a service member must meet one of the following criteria at the time of the request:
  • Have completed at least six (6) years of service and agree to serve for four (4) additional years.
  • Have completed twenty (20) or more years of service.
  • Be a Purple Heart recipient (the service commitment does not apply, but the transfer must be requested while actively drilling).
  • SM transferring EAP cannot be flagged for any reason.
What are the rules for dependents using transferred benefits?
  • Spouse: May use the benefits at any time while the service member is actively drilling or upon their retirement.
  • Children: May use the benefits only after the service member has completed at least ten (10) years of service. The child must be under 26 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent (or be at least 18 years old).