Professional Degree Commissioning
These are offered only to those applicants who hold professional degrees in the medical, legal and theological fields. Contact MAJ Steve Siemonsma at 605-737-6784 (steve.siemonsma@us.army.mil) for more information about Professional Degree Commissioning.
Tuition Assistance & Other Benefits
FEDERAL TUITION ASSISTANCE: Members of the Army National Guard receive $4,500 each academic year (up to $250 per semester hour or $167 per quarter hour for up to four years while attending school. Tax free!
STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE: Benefits vary from state to state. See your state Education Officer for details. Tax free!
GI BILL: Full time students are eligible (includes medical/dental students) for $329 a month for 36 months. (May not be taken in conjunction with Federal Tuition Assistance.)
CLERKSHIPS: (Medical Students only) During your M3 and M4 years, you may apply for one of the several clerkships available at many military medical centers around the country. While in attendance, you would receive full active-duty pay and allowances of $3,987 as a 3rd yr medical student of $4,454 as a 4th yr medical student (based on an average 30-day clerkship).
TRAINING: You will be required to attend a three-week Officer Basic Training course that can be done in lieu of Annual Training and may have the opportunity to attend other medical/dental military training. NO BASIC TRAINING REQUIRED.
RETIREMENT: You will participate in a non-contributory Reserve Component federal retirement program that will provide you with an annuity after twenty years of service (start paying at age 60).
LOW COST GROUP LIFE INSURANCE: For $29 a month you will receive $400,000 of life insurance that covers you on and off duty. You can also choose smaller amounts of coverage for a smaller fee.
TRICARE RESERVE SELECT: As a member of the Guard, you will be eligible to purchase health insurance for you and your family for only $253 per month.
Medical & Dental Student Stipend Program (MDSSP)
Provides a monthly stipend ($1992 per month which increases annually on 1 July) to qualified Medical or Dental Students.
Participation DOES NOT incur an Active Duty obligation after completion of school or residency.
Participation DOES NOT require you to remain in state where you completed school or residency.
Students receiving MDSSP are NOT available for mobilization while in school
Students may take advantage of each state’s flexible training policy*
For every six months or part thereof receiving MDSSP, participants will incur a one year contractual service obligation.
Example:
If you take six months of the MDSSP, you will owe 1 year of service obligation. If you take the incentive fore fourteen months, you will incur a 3 year contractual of service obligation.
