Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. Retention and College Access Program (DC National Guard Tuition Assistance)
Pays up to $20,000 a year toward tuition and up to $500 a year for fees for DC National Guard members working on a certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree.
Who it is for
Current members of the DC National Guard who have at least two years of service commitment left after the course ends and are in good standing.
Focus: National Guard and Reserve
Before you start
How you apply: Apply directly to the program.
How to apply
- Contact the DC National Guard Education Office for your branch (Army or Air Force).
- Submit the tuition assistance application, statement of understanding, cost verification, and your degree plan at least 30 days before your course starts.
- Combine this with federal Tuition Assistance or GI Bill benefits if you have them, since this program can be used alongside those.
Deadline: Apply at least 30 days before your course start date. There is no annual application window; you apply each time before a course begins. (Rolling, apply any time)
Amount: Up to $20,000 per year for tuition, plus up to $500 per year for fees
Verified as of 2026-07-05. Resources are checked periodically against their official source. Details, amounts, and deadlines change. Confirm the current information on the official page before you rely on it.