Date of Graduation
12-2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy (PhD)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Public Policy
Advisor/Mentor
Miller, Michael T.
Committee Member
Gearhart, G. David
Second Committee Member
Dowdle, Andrew J.
Keywords
Arkansas National Guard; Guardsmen college access; Guardsmen education; military recruitment; National Guard benefits
Abstract
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.
Citation
Gamboa, E. (2020). The Effects of Implementing the National Guard Tuition Assistance Program on Accessing Higher Education Funds for Arkansas National Guardsmen at the University of Arkansas. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/3851
Included in
Accessibility Commons, Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Education Policy Commons, Higher Education Commons, Military and Veterans Studies Commons, Political Science Commons, Public Policy Commons
