Benefits Across State Borders?

[NCCorleone]

Hi Everyone,

I have a rather specific question that I'm hoping can be worked out.

I want to join the ARNG this fall as a Cav Scout (19D). I live in Western NC and attend school there. I noticed that Tennessee allows a $20K signing bonus for 19D and has drilling units closer to where I live than NC does. But, when I compare the two states, I notice that NC has much better Education benefits than TN does (according to this site, TN has none). This is VERY important because I'm about 2 years away from completing my Bachelor's degree. One of my main motivations for joining the ARNG is for the Education benefits.

So, my questions: Can I even join the TN Guard as a NC resident? Can I join the TN ARNG to get the bonus and drill closer to home, while still getting the NC Education benefits? If not... my total cost of college is roughly $9000. Would it make a difference, numbers wise, if I were to join the TN Guard or NC Guard as far as costs covered?

Thanks in advance for all your help!
Cameron

[matthew.ritchie]

There's no problem living in one state and drilling in another. For seven years I lived in NC and drilled across the line in Virginia. You'll only draw benefits from one state, however. Pick one and run with it.

I sent you a private message about this as well.

[VTguard]

Hi Everyone,

I have a rather specific question that I'm hoping can be worked out.

I want to join the ARNG this fall as a Cav Scout (19D). I live in Western NC and attend school there. I noticed that Tennessee allows a $20K signing bonus for 19D and has drilling units closer to where I live than NC does. But, when I compare the two states, I notice that NC has much better Education benefits than TN does (according to this site, TN has none). This is VERY important because I'm about 2 years away from completing my Bachelor's degree. One of my main motivations for joining the ARNG is for the Education benefits.

So, my questions: Can I even join the TN Guard as a NC resident? Can I join the TN ARNG to get the bonus and drill closer to home, while still getting the NC Education benefits? If not... my total cost of college is roughly $9000. Would it make a difference, numbers wise, if I were to join the TN Guard or NC Guard as far as costs covered?

Thanks in advance for all your help!
Cameron

You can join the National Guard in any state that you desire. (as long as you can make it to drill weekends). If you join in TN, you can get the 20K bonus, but you won't get the educational benefits from NC. You can talk to recruiters from both states and see what each can offer you, but if you look closely at NC, I think you'll see that you can still get a 15K bonus from NC and stil get the educational benefits. Of course 15K is less than 20K, but its still a lot of money, and the college benefits far outweigh five thousand dollars.

[PARecruiter11B24]

Hi Everyone,

I have a rather specific question that I'm hoping can be worked out.

I want to join the ARNG this fall as a Cav Scout (19D). I live in Western NC and attend school there. I noticed that Tennessee allows a $20K signing bonus for 19D and has drilling units closer to where I live than NC does. But, when I compare the two states, I notice that NC has much better Education benefits than TN does (according to this site, TN has none). This is VERY important because I'm about 2 years away from completing my Bachelor's degree. One of my main motivations for joining the ARNG is for the Education benefits.

So, my questions: Can I even join the TN Guard as a NC resident? Can I join the TN ARNG to get the bonus and drill closer to home, while still getting the NC Education benefits? If not... my total cost of college is roughly $9000. Would it make a difference, numbers wise, if I were to join the TN Guard or NC Guard as far as costs covered?

Thanks in advance for all your help!
Cameron

If you want to have your college paid for then join the NC Guard and when you have completed your education you can do an Inter State Transfer to TN. Now some state will require you to serve a 6 year drilling contract to get the ed payment. If you leave before your contract has been completed then you may have to pay back what has been paid out to the school. You need to choose is getting school paid for more inportant than joining in TN. If so go NC. Also you can look into the ROTC program. If TN has it I would look into it there. Call UT in Knoxville and see if they have am ROTC program and if they do ask to talk to the ROTC staff. Also you can try to get a hold of a College recruiter in TN they will be able to help you.

[Kra]

Cameron,

I am an Illinois resident serving in the Indiana National Guard. I fall somewhat into your situation. I checked with Illinois for a 68P MOS that they could not offer to a prior service member. Indiana said yes we can do it no problems and they did. Now Bonus money, I was awared the 15k sign on bonus that Illinois could have offered me, Non-prior service is 20k. GI Bill is guaranteed to me if I wish to return to school, I have a Bachelors of Science already. The GI Bill can be used anywhere I choose to go back to school. I was originally from Florida and went to an Illinois college using my GI bill. Additionally the Indiana Guard will pay a percentage of my student loans as well.

Now the one thing about me going to school is:

As an Illinos resident I can not use tuition assistance via the Indiana Guard. Should I become an Indiana resident and attend an Indiana school they will pay for my tuition. This is in my contract and maybe the states you are looking at will be different, a recruiter can give you the best answer.

Your decision to join the guard for educational benefits is a great one, the guard will help you finish your degree and move forward.

[NCCorleone]

I appreciate everyone's help. Thank you all so much.

I'd just like to expand on a few points raised here real quick...


I think you'll see that you can still get a 15K bonus from NC and stil get the educational benefits. Of course 15K is less than 20K, but its still a lot of money, and the college benefits far outweigh five thousand dollars.


I agree, 100%. There's only one downfall to this, and that's that my drilling station with NC is 6 hours away from home, as opposed to 2 hours away with TN.


If so go NC. Also you can look into the ROTC program. If TN has it I would look into it there. Call UT in Knoxville and see if they have am ROTC program and if they do ask to talk to the ROTC staff. Also you can try to get a hold of a College recruiter in TN they will be able to help you.


I considered ROTC before I ever left High School. The problem was that there are no neighboring schools to mine that had an ROTC program. I just checked the ROTC wesite, and the school closest to me with ROTC is about 2 hours away from where I live.


a recruiter can give you the best answer.

Seems like I have a pretty specific case here, huh? Haha. It looks like I'll have to wait for when I come home for Spring Break, so I can sit down and talk with a recruiter.

Again, thanks all for the information. Now I've got something to work with!