ERIC Number: ED650962
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 90
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-5570-3527-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Effects of Implementing the National Guard Tuition Assistance Program on Accessing Higher Education Funds for Arkansas National Guardsmen at the University of Arkansas
Erika Gamboa
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Arkansas
The Arkansas National Guard Tuition Assistance (NGTA) program was created to recruit and retain Arkansas National Guardsmen by providing college funding regardless of Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test scores. The funding provided up to 100% of tuition costs at any Arkansas public college or university and was effective between Fall 2017 to Fall 2019. The approval process included collaboration between the Arkansas National Guard Education Office, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, and the institution of higher education Guardsmen attended. The study focused on the effects the NGTA had on Guardsmen who attended the University of Arkansas during the implementation period. The study used a two-step process for data collection, a quantitative approach to capture Guardsmen characteristics and qualitative to obtain Guardsmen perceptions of the program. The data analysis provided Guardsmen characteristics and themes describing Guardsmen perceptions. The results of the study indicated that the NGTA was a deciding factor to enlist in the Arkansas National Guard. Of the 286 times the benefit was awarded, 146 received full tuition aid while the rest receive partial or no NGTA funding. Guardsmen approved for the benefit used other types of funding such as grants, scholarships, and student loans. Of the Guardsmen who participated in the survey study, responses indicated that students expected full-tuition payment and although most Guardsmen stated that the NGTA met their expectations, some felt that the program was unclear in the actual amount that would be provided. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Armed Forces, Military Personnel, Tuition, Paying for College, Student Financial Aid, Student Recruitment, Colleges, College Students, Public Colleges, Program Effectiveness, Student Attitudes, Student Characteristics, Expectation, Student Experience
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Arkansas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A