NYS Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

A member may apply for the Educational Incentive Program if he or she:

• is an active member of the New York Air or Army National Guard or New York Naval Militia. (Members in the ING, IRR or on a leave of absence are not eligible.)
• has attended all scheduled drills and annual training periods or completed authorized make-up training.
• has an Expiration of Term of Service (ETS) date beyond the semester for which the educational incentive is being requested.
• is not flagged for unfavorable personnel actions.
• has been accepted, enrolled and matriculated at a college, university or community technical college in the State of New York on a full-time or part-time basis.
• is in good academic standing according to the definition of the institution.
• is not receiving educational reimbursement from an employer. If employer reimbursement is being received, the tuition benefit shall be reduced by the amount of such educational reimbursment.
• is a graduate of Initial Active Duty for Training or a commissioning source.
• is a resident of New York State. A resident is a person having their domicile in New York State for a period of at least 186 days per year, excluding periods of active federal military duty.
• has applied for NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), PELL grant, and other non-debt producing tuition assistance programs.

• apply to a New York institution of higher learning for admission; complete admission requirements.
• after being accepted for admission, complete sections 1, 2 and 3 of DMNA Form 96-1 and submit both the form and proof of acceptance to the retention office manager. Member must apply for a new Certificate of Eligibility for each academic semester.
• submit DMNA Form 96-1 to retention office manager during the following designated application periods:
  1. April 1 through June 30 for the fall semester;
  2. August 1 through October 31 for the spring semester;
  3. March 1 through March 31 for summer courses.
• enroll in courses through normal registration process after the DMNA Form 96-1 has been approved and DMNA Form 96-2 has been issued. The member will present the Certificate of Eligibility to the school registrar's office at the time of registration. Provided the member is otherwise eligible, the certificate will be honored by the school.