{"id":1003,"date":"2023-05-26T10:42:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-26T14:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentsuccess.utk.edu\/veterans\/?page_id=1003"},"modified":"2026-05-15T12:24:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T16:24:37","slug":"faq-tennessee-strong-act","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/studentsuccess.utk.edu\/veterans\/faq-tennessee-strong-act\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ: Tennessee Strong Act"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

<\/svg> When do I apply for the TN Strong Act?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/svg> Is the TN strong act a scholarship?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/svg> Do I have to use Federal Tuition Assistance?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>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\u2019s education office. For Assistance with FTA:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.armyignited.army.mil\/student\/support\/faq<\/a><\/p>\n

Link to Tutorials:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.armyignited.army.mil\/student\/support\/resources<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

<\/svg> When will TN strong act pay my tuition?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Tuition is usually reimbursed within 3 months from the end of the semester.<\/p>\n

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<\/svg> When is my tuition due?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 Since the TN Strong Act is a reimbursement program, tuition is due before the payment deadline for each semester.<\/span> The Bursar’s Office sets the payment deadline.\u00a0 You will receive a Veterans deferment or a Veterans payment plan for the term, provided you submit your packet before the payment deadline.<\/p>\n

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<\/svg> What happens if I do not have the funds to pay out-of-pocket tuition rates?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>With the strong act paying late after the term, more and more students are having to take out temporary<\/i> loans. It would be best practice to take out a temporary loan and repay the loan immediately once reimbursed by the TN Strong Act.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>If acceptance is an issue, the University offers subsidized and unsubsidized loans.<\/p>\n

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<\/svg> What happens if I do not pay my tuition on time?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span>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 could result in a hold, fees, or cancellation of the next term’s schedule. Please do not ignore the Bursar emails that you have a payment due. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/svg> Does my immediate commander or officer board need to sign my packet?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0A unit commander’s signature is no longer needed to turn in the packet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/svg> Where do I find the most updated packet?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 The Veterans Success Center website has the most current and up-to-date packet.<\/span> Our office, nor the Nashville education office, will not accept the older version of the packets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

<\/svg> Can I use VA education benefits while I also use the TN strong act?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Yes, National Guard members are entitled to both the Strong Act and the Montgomery 1606 education benefit.<\/p>\n

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<\/svg> What is the Montgomery 1606 benefit?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>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.<\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

<\/svg> Can I receive scholarships while receiving benefits?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>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.\u00a0 Be especially mindful of the \u201cHelping Heroes Grant.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

<\/svg> Why does the funding take so long to reimburse?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

<\/svg> Who can I contact about the strong act?<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
<\/p>\n

Sgt. Joseph Wilson, TNANG\u00a0 <\/span>(615) 313-0849<\/p>\n

SFC Stephen Biase, TNARNG\u00a0 <\/span>(615) 313-0625<\/p>\n

ng.tn.tnarng.mbx.ngtn-state-tuition-assistance-army@army.mil<\/a><\/p>\n

Education website: <\/strong><\/p>\n

www.tn.gov\/military\/programs-benefits\/education-incentives.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Veterans Success Center\/ Veterans Benefits Administration\u00a0 (<\/span>865) 974-5420<\/p>\n

utktnstrongact@vols.utk.edu\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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