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FAQ: Tennessee Strong Act

Effective July 1, 2025, you have until 45 days past the end of a term to be reimbursed for the TN Strong Act. However, processing TN Strong paperwork can take several weeks. Students are encouraged to submit the packet as soon as they are registered for classes for the term in which they wish to use the Strong Act reimbursement. You will also need to turn the packet in before the payment deadline each term to receive the veterans deferment plan.

No, this program is a reimbursement to pay for tuition and fees. You will be reimbursed between 2 and 3 months after the end of the term. This tuition payment is not made at the beginning of the term. You will need to arrange alternative payment methods to cover the semester’s expenses upfront. The student is responsible for the entire balance of the term. 

 Only if you are in the Army National Guard. Sign up on ArmyIgNited before classes start. If you are in the Air Force, you still have the option, just like the Army, to use FTA. For more information, speak to your base’s education office. For Assistance with FTA:

https://www.armyignited.army.mil/student/support/faq

Link to Tutorials:

https://www.armyignited.army.mil/student/support/resources

    Tuition is usually paid within 3 months from the end of the semester.

    Since the TN Strong Act is a reimbursement program, tuition is due before the payment deadline for each semester. The Bursar’s Office sets the payment deadline.  You will receive a Veterans deferment or a Veterans payment plan for the term, provided you submit your packet before the payment deadline.

   With the strong act paying late after the term, more and more students are having to take out temporary loans. It would be best practice to take out a temporary loan and repay the loan immediately once reimbursed by the TN Strong Act.  If acceptance is an issue, the University offers subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

  Your payment is due for the semester by the payment deadline set by the Bursar Office. The TN Strong Act will not reimburse for the current term till after grades have been posted. You will need to pay your balance by the payment deadlines. Failing to pay your balance or not working out a payment plan with the bursar before the next term begins will result in your schedule being dropped. Please do not ignore the Bursar emails that you have a payment due.  

   Yes, the Veterans Success Center will not accept unsigned packets. 

    The Veterans Success Center website has the most current and up-to-date packet. Our office, nor the Nashville education office, will not accept the older version of the packets. 

   Yes, National Guard members are entitled to both the Strong Act and the Montgomery 1606 education benefit.

   The Montgomery 1606 benefit is afforded to TN Guardsmen. You can have a potential kicker associated with your contract to prompt an additional 350 to 450 dollars a month. Depending on eligibility, you could earn around 785 a month using this benefit.

   Yes! All funding received from scholarships is money in your pocket. Apply for as many as you are eligible. Please visit veterans.utk.edu and click on the scholarships and grants link.  Be especially mindful of the “Helping Heroes Grant.” 

   There is now a considerably larger population of Guard members not only at the University of Tennessee, but all over the state. Not to mention, when the program was debuted initially, it was dedicated to undergraduate degrees, but now it also covers graduate-level degrees. With the increased presence of Guardsmen in both undergraduate and graduate programs, the main office in Nashville processes reimbursements for students at all colleges and universities in Tennessee. This is a large amount of paperwork for a small number of staff in Nashville. 

Sgt. Joseph Wilson, TNANG  (615) 313-0849

SFC Stephen Biase, TNARNG  (615) 313-0625

ng.tn.tnarng.mbx.ngtn-state-tuition-assistance-army@army.mil

Education website:

www.tn.gov/military/programs-benefits/education-incentives.html

Veterans Success Center/ Veterans Benefits Administration  (865) 974-5420

utktnstrongact@vols.utk.edu